The Manager’s Compass
Welcome to the practice of Leadership Cartography™. Each post maps the terrain of modern leadership—helping you navigate challenges, build confidence, and lead with steadiness.
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The Conversation I Practiced in My Kitchen
I was standing in my kitchen at 6 AM, practicing words I didn’t want to say. “We need to discuss your employment status.” Too formal. “I have some difficult news.” Too vague. “I know I told you your job was safe, but…” That one made my stomach turn. I’d been rehearsing this conversation for three days, trying to find a way to deliver news that would shatter someone’s trust in me. Someone who had asked me directly, multiple times, if they were going to be fired. Someone I’d looked in the eye and said no to, because I meant it. But everything had changed, and I was the one who had to deliver the blow
The Consensus Trap: Why Your Collaborative Meetings Keep Stalling (And How to Fix It)
You know this meeting. Everyone weighs in. The clock runs down. And somehow, nothing gets decided. The same decision has been on the table for weeks, and it still isn't made. What started as noble inclusion becomes a stall. The consensus trap looks like collaboration, but really it's fear disguised as care. Learn the three-step framework that helps collaborative managers pair inclusion with clarity—so your team can finally move forward instead of circling endlessly.
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