Leadership Elevate: Daily Wisdom for People Managers

This article explores the phenomenon of "innovation theater," whereby companies prioritize the appearance of innovation over genuine creative investments. Despite executive rhetoric about disruption and new product development, many organizations fail to properly resource or incentivize true innovation, instead opting for visible but shallow initiatives that generate positive PR without challengin...

Abstract: The future of work is rapidly transforming due to technological advancement, globalization, and demographic shifts that are disrupting traditional business models and job roles. Research indicates that tomorrow's workforce will require diverse, cross-functional capabilities rather than narrow technical specializations. Organizations must evolve to remain competitive in this changing land...

Abstract: This article examines critical findings from Deloitte's 2019 Gen Z and Millennial Survey to help organizational leaders understand and effectively engage the emerging workforce. As these generations will soon constitute over half of global workers, the research highlights their core priorities: purpose-driven work with social/environmental impact, flexibility and work-life balance, genui...

Abstract: Despite women's increasing participation in the workforce, research consistently shows they continue to bear disproportionate responsibility for caregiving and emotional labor within families compared to men. This persistent imbalance creates significant challenges for women's career advancement and for organizations seeking to retain female talent. The article examines how this gendered...

Abstract: This article explores how leaders can transform routine, repetitive workplace tasks that often feel meaningless to employees. Drawing on motivational theory, it argues that while mundane work cannot be eliminated, managers can significantly reshape the context in which it occurs to enhance employee engagement and satisfaction. The article identifies two primary causes of disengagement—la...

Abstract: This article explores how the narratives leaders and organizations construct significantly influence their behaviors, decisions, and potential for growth. Research demonstrates that these internal stories function as cognitive frameworks that can either limit possibilities or catalyze innovation. It present a strategic approach to storytelling as a leadership tool, detailing how identify...

Abstract: This article explores the critical balance between directness and tactfulness in leadership communication across organizational contexts. Drawing on established research from Mintzberg, Ting-Toomey, and others, it demonstrates how effective leaders adapt their communication styles to maintain clarity without sacrificing respect. The paper outlines practical, research-based strategies for...

Abstract: This article examines how leaders frequently misdiagnose organizational problems by focusing on surface-level or individual factors rather than underlying structural issues. Drawing from extensive research across multiple industries, the authors identify four commonly overlooked organizational design flaws that significantly impact performance: lack of clarity in roles and objectives, si...

Abstract: The modern workplace is undergoing a fundamental shift as highly skilled professionals increasingly prioritize meaning, mission, and flexibility over traditional career structures. This article examines how forward-thinking organizations are adapting through job crafting and impact-focused approaches that transcend hierarchical limitations. By implementing skill-based matching systems, f...

Abstract: This article examines how burnout has become normalized in contemporary workplace culture, analyzing its systemic causes and organizational impacts. It explores three key contributing factors: the rise of constant connectivity through digital technologies that eliminate work-life boundaries, performance-oriented cultures that breed chronic stress through metrics and comparison, and the b...

Abstract: Recent advancements in neuroscience reveal striking parallels between brain development and organizational dynamics, challenging traditional hierarchical structures in favor of self-organizing systems. This article examines how the brain's natural development through synaptic pruning—where initial neural overconnections are refined through experience—provides a compelling model for organ...

Abstract: This article explores the critical importance of self-awareness for organizational leaders and provides practical, evidence-based methods to cultivate it. Self-awareness is defined as having an accurate understanding of one's personality, strengths, weaknesses, thoughts, beliefs, motivations, and emotions, as well as how one is perceived by others. The article outlines three key componen...

Abstract: This article explores the critical importance of self-awareness for organizational leaders and provides practical, evidence-based methods to cultivate it. Self-awareness is defined as having an accurate understanding of one's personality, strengths, weaknesses, thoughts, beliefs, motivations, and emotions, as well as how one is perceived by others. The article outlines three key componen...

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Jeff Eschliman about the secret to building great company culture. Jeff Eschliman is an executive coach with 30 years of experience from combat in Iraq to the corporate boardroom. Personal development, consistency and a tenacious work ethic are hallmarks of Jeff’s leadership style. Jeff communicates crystal clear vision and bold expectat...

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Luis Báez about how to inspire employees, build engagement, and drive real results. Luis Báez is a Revenue Enablement Strategist + Sales Coach dedicated to serving executives and sales leaders at businesses. In 2017, after years of working in some of the biggest Silicon Valley startups (think LinkedIn, Google, Uber, Tesla, and more), Lui...

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Chad Miller about practical ways leaders can shape their company culture. Chad (https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-miller-1521559/) loves to help others live life abundantly (experiencing increased purpose, joy and success), creating environments where leaders and their employees thrive by bringing together insights and lessons learned fro...

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Dr. Rosalind Cohen about broadening how people view commonalities to create cultures of inclusion and belonging. Dr. Rosalind Cohen (a.k.a. Dr. Roz) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosalindfcohen/) is an entrepreneur, speaker, author, and a “Connectifier” who helps organizations build inclusive, radically connected cultures of belonging tha...

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Patrice Meagher about how employers can best support working moms. Patrice Meagher is the Founder and CEO of MilkMate, an all-in-one multi-user pumping system purpose-built for the workplace wellness room, and advisor on employee wellness solutions. After pumping in the workplace while juggling being a mother of four children and high-po...

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Ash Beckham about their book, How to Live with Courage and Become an Everyday Leader. Ash Beckham is an inclusion activist whose TEDx Talk “Coming Out of Your Closet” became a viral sensation. Her intrepid, relatable, and intrinsically comical style has made her an in-demand speaker, including events at Microsoft, Lockheed Martin, Bank o...

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Jim Fielding about the recent retreat from corporate DEI initiatives. Jim Fielding (www.linkedin.com/in/jimfielding), a proud Ohio native and Indiana University Hoosier, started his career on the department store floor. Over the next 30 years, he would lead some of the world’s most beloved media and retail brands, including The Gap, Disn...

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Ted Bradshaw about his book, Stop Chasing Squirrels: Six Essentials to Find Your Purpose, Focus, and Flow. Ted Bradshaw (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tedbradshaw/) served as an executive with Xerox and IBM, then left the Fortune 500 world to explore the thrills of entrepreneurship. What he found was a long string of success that looked gr...

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Jessica Pryce-Jones about her book, INTUITION AT WORK: Using Your Gut Feelings To Get Ahead. Jessica Pryce-Jones is author of INTUITION AT WORK: Using Your Gut Feelings To Get Ahead. Pryce-Jones started her career in finance where she learned about numbers, strategy and leadership. After ten years in the corporate world, she completed a...

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Lisa DeAngelis about her book, Embracing the Unknown: Exploring the Pathways to Change. Lisa DeAngelis (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-deangelis1/ ) is a holistic change practitioner, author, teacher, and speaker. She is passionate about building meaningful relationships and helping others live authentically. Her debut book, Embracing...

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Erica Keswin about her book, The Retention Revolution. Erica Keswin is a bestselling author, internationally sought after speaker, and workplace strategist. Her first two bestselling books Bring Your Human to Work: 10 Surefire Ways to Design a Workplace That’s Good for People, Great for Business, and Just Might Change the World (McGraw H...

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Artem Koren about pioneering the way forward in artificial intelligence at work. Artem Koren (https://www.linkedin.com/in/akoren/) grew up and lived most of his adult life in New York City. He graduated from Columbia University with a degree in Computer Science. He later attended the NYU Stern School of Business where he earned his MBA....