Navigating Work Without the Need for Constant Validation
My client Laura was known as a compassionate and collaborative leader. She always checked in on her team’s well-being, made sure they weren’t overwhelmed, and offered mentorship during tough times. Her team always felt a sense of validation from her genuine interest in their opinions, and everyone felt comfortable approaching her—something rare among other directors […]
5 Ways to Handle a Workaholic Colleague
When you have a workaholic colleague, their intense dedication to work can be overwhelming. They’re often the first to arrive and the last to leave, eagerly taking on extra tasks and responding to emails almost instantly. They work continuously, whether in the office or from home. Working alongside a workaholic can be tough. Their constant […]
Why Managing Up Is The Most Critical Career Skill In 2026
Managing up can be tricky. For instance, do you ever find yourself lying awake at night, mentally rewriting that email you sent to your boss? Or rehearsing how you’ll handle tomorrow’s tough conversation about yet another shifting deadline? Perhaps you get defensive when your boss hits you with unexpected feedback. Maybe you struggle to ask […]
4 Signs You’re Too Emotionally Invested in Your Work (And How to Fix It)
Do you struggle with being too invested in your work? Take my client Kai, who loved his role. His projects were stimulating, his team was supportive, and his compensation was competitive. But Kai struggled with becoming emotionally overinvested, which began to cloud his judgment and impact his well-being. This is a pattern many Sensitive Strivers will recognize. […]
Skip-Level Meeting Success: How to Connect With Your Boss’s Boss
How well do you know your manager’s manager? Have you had opportunities to connect with them independently? For many professionals I work with, the answer to these questions is often “not much.” Securing a successful skip-level meeting provides a valuable opportunity to build relationships with senior leadership while gaining insight into your organization’s priorities. No […]
Executive Presence for “Quiet” Professionals
At least once a week, I hear from Sensitive Strivers – deeply feeling and high-achieving leaders – who ask, “How do I project more executive presence? This is such a common question because most Sensitive Strivers believe they lack presence. But the fact that you’re sensitive doesn’t mean you can’t command a room. What if it meant you […]
