How to Build Executive Presence Without Changing Your Personality
Do you struggle to speak up in group settings? You are not alone. This is one of the most common challenges I hear from emerging and senior leaders alike. Recently, a newly promoted senior leader wrote to me and said: “Jenn, I am a recently promoted senior leader. I am really good at building relationships…
Read MoreHow to (Professionally) Deal with That “Annoying” Coworker
Ever worked with someone who makes you want to scream, “UGH, they’re such a jerk!”? You’re not alone. Workplace dynamics can be tough, especially when personalities clash. But here’s the truth: labeling someone as a “jerk” rarely solves the problem. So, what can you do instead? Let’s dive in. Why Personality Isn’t the Real Problem…
Read MoreHow Do I Get Out of a Bad Meeting?
Are you trapped in endless meetings that never lead to decisions? You’re not alone. In this episode of Go Ask Jenn, we tackle the frustrating reality of “monster committees” — those recurring meetings that drain your time and energy without delivering results. The Problem: Endless Meetings, Zero Decisions One viewer shared their dilemma: “I’m on…
Read MoreHow to Manage Up: Leadership Development in Action
Let’s be honest—working for a new or inexperienced boss can be tough. You want to be supportive, but when every project feels half-baked and you’re constantly resisting the urge to roll your eyes, it’s hard to stay motivated. One viewer recently asked: “Jenn – My new boss is nice, but new to leadership—and honestly, their…
Read MoreHow to Stop Perfectionism at Work: On-time and High-Quality
This post is based on a short episode from our weekly YouTube advice series, Go Ask Jenn — watch the full video here. Below is a written transcript edited into a concise blog post for easier reading and reference. When Is “Good Enough” Good Enough? Balancing Quality and Timely Delivery Today’s question is all…
Read MoreGroup vs Team: Why the Distinction Matters
Leaders often use the words group and team interchangeably. On the surface, they sound the same: a collection of people working in the same organization, sometimes on the same initiative. But the difference between a group and a team is more than semantics—it shapes how people collaborate, how they succeed, and how much energy they…
Read MoreBack-to-Basics: How Leaders Rebuild After Change and Burnout
Since early 2020, leaders and teams have faced nonstop change, stress, and instability. Instead of strategic planning and steady growth, most organizations have been stuck in survival mode. Goal-setting is deferred, layoffs and hiring freezes push teams to the brink, and even the most foundational routines—like inventory audits or team huddles—have fallen by the wayside.…
Read MoreRemoving the Barriers to Collaboration
Have you ever been working on an improvement idea and when the time comes to share it with others you think to yourself, “Ugh, I don’t want to.” If you’re like me, maybe you even groan and make a face. Well, it turns out that those little pangs of *UGH* are moments of insight. They…
Read MoreEngaging Your Teams in Effective Project Planning
Goal deployment, the act of collaboratively setting goals and planning the work necessary to achieve them, is one of our favorite activities. It feels like a fresh start, a new opportunity to accomplish what is most important to us. And while it may not sound glamorous, engaging your teams in effective project planning is a…
Read MoreSquelching the Urge to Say, “I told you so.”
There will come a day when you were right all along. Your warnings went unheeded. Your insights blatantly ignored. But then, your experience finally pays off. A smug smile unfolds and you relish the opportunity to open your mouth and gloat, “I told you so.” You’ve earned it. And it feels good. “The four…
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