The challenges of being a rising leader are unique.
The Leadership Arena is a newsletter created especially for Millennial & Gen Z leaders who want to take charge of their own growth and advancement opportunities. It's also a powerful resource for Founders who want to scale leadership throughout their company. Each week, we'll address new topics that are essential to leadership growth, confidence, agency, and trust. This isn't just a theory—it's immediately useful to apply in real-time, every week of the year!
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Why hard conversations feel so uncomfortable—and how to change that
Reader, Have you ever felt beyond uncomfortable in a work conversation? You know the feeling... Heat rises in your chest. Your vision narrows. You can’t think straight. And you’re looking for a way to get out—fast. The limiting factor. If your tolerance for human tension is low, you won’t be able to stay present in the moments that matter most. Moments when you need to lead. When other people react, you must have the capacity to stay calm, think clearly, and respond. Your capacity will either...
READ POSTIf works feels like a treadmill, here's why—and what to do about it
Reader, Last month, I had the opportunity to talk strategy with a leader, and my head began to spin listening to him describe his work environment. Urgent needs derail important priorities. Deadlines are immovable despite constant interruptions. Future initiatives are behind schedule before they even begin. The reason behind these patterns is much bigger than this one company. A machine. You’ve probably said or heard statements like: “I don’t have the bandwidth for that.”“We’ve got to dial...
READ POSTWhen your best idea still gets a “no.”
Reader, When you make a case for something you believe in, you may be missing the one step that matters most. How do I know? I’ve made this mistake many times—both as a rising leader and as a CEO. It starts with a simple assumption that’s so easy to make: It’s a good idea. It was December 2001, and I was hired to launch a unique volunteer campaign—just months after 9/11. We needed revenue badly and had found a way to create a true win-win for our investors. In fact, it was a brilliant...
READ POST"How did you do this?" The surprising power of shared purpose.
Reader, For a decade, my only priority was building community. It’s what I dedicated myself to learning and knowing—inside and out. And yet, I couldn’t see how essential it was for building team until much later. If you’ve ever longed for a more connected team, one that succeeds and celebrates together, this one’s for you. In this email, I’ll unpack: The two ingredients you need to build a purposeful team. How to build it so it’s not dependent on you. What community offers that team alone...
READ POST3 reasons leadership development fails you
Reader, Have you ever wondered why leadership development only gets you so far? You reach a new level—and suddenly, what got you here won’t get you any farther. There’s a reason why most leadership growth doesn’t scale or deliver the outcomes it promises. The 3 ingredients for scalable leadership growth. For your leadership to grow with you—as your responsibilities and complexity increase—it must equip you to: Develop yourself. You’re always going to encounter new challenges. You need a clear...
READ POSTMaking decisions the leader will support
Reader, Few things are more frustrating than putting energy into a decision, only to have it reversed by someone above you. Or watching a team member spend time crafting a plan, only to realize they missed the mark. When decisions go wrong, it’s easy to fall into unhelpful patterns: Bringing every decision to your boss—Why bother if my call won’t be trusted? Making decisions in silos—I don’t want to be micromanaged, so I’ll just do it alone. Making all the decisions yourself—I don't have time...
READ POSTI was following rules that weren't actually there.
Reader, The other day, I noticed a sudden urgency to get more done faster. Nothing had changed. There was no looming deadline. Yet with important priorities weighing on me, it felt like doing more would produce more. So, I made a massive list of everything on my plate, and planned to complete it all in one week. It didn't work. Why? Because more is often less. When more is less. Have you ever: Tried to change every habit you dislike about yourself—simultaneously? Given a child a long list of...
READ POSTThe surprising reason ideas don't get traction
Reader, Ever been here? You really want to succeed in your job—and you know what it takes. You notice your organization is neglecting something that really matters. You prepare to present your thoughts, hoping it will make a difference. But it doesn’t. Instead, your boss replies: "Thanks… but we need to be focused on something else right now." Why advocating rarely works. Let's imagine you're advocating for the customer. The organization should care about the customer, right? This should be a...
READ POSTThe hidden habit (we all have) that erodes teamwork
Reader, Does it ever feel easier to do it yourself? To work alone? If so, you're in good company. Most leaders feel this pull at times. If you've been developing yourself as a leader for a while, you know yourself—so you know what you need to do to succeed. You are unique and your individual contribution is valuable. Why is it so important to be unique? The US is one of the most individualistic cultures in the world—and it influences us more than we realize. Wherever you live, you’ll see this...
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