Welcome to Gems & Gemisodes®

Easy-to-digest insights on workplace, personal, and leadership optimization

Dive into our most popular gems for actionable insights  to help you optimize

gem = standalone article | gemisode = two-part article

Ever wondered why you miss small errors in your work even after hours of perfecting it? It turns out, the brain's quest for efficiency is to blame—overworking leads to missed details and biases that hinder optimization, but with the right mindset and tools, you can train your brain for growth and success!

The Keys to Personal and Business Optimization are...

gem | Organizational Optimization

When you think of leadership, do introverts come to mind? This post challenges traditional views, highlighting how introverted leaders—like Charmaine—excel through deep listening, empathy, and thoughtful decision-making.

Quiet Strength: Embracing Introverted Leadership in Business

gem | personal optimization

Grief knows no timeline. Supporting grieving employees is essential for cultivating a compassionate and resilient workplace culture. This post delves into how leaders can create environments where grief is acknowledged, employees feel supported, and both emotional well-being and productivity are strengthened, fostering a more loyal and engaged workforce.


































Grief and What Every Leader Needs to Get Right

Productivity & processes | career optimization

A Gemisode® Series – Part II Women are judged regardless of their actions, so our belief is that you might as well go ahead and ask for what you need, want, and, let’s be frank, very often already deserve. In Part I, we got real about  the double standards women face in the workplace and […]

Women: Ask for What You Want, You’re Being Judged Either Way – Part II

Career Optimization, Culture, Gemisode

Chess board
Chess board

A Gemisode® Series – Part I In the workplace, it’s no secret that women often face different expectations and challenges compared to their male counterparts. These double standards not only affect their day-to-day experiences but also their opportunities for advancement and compensation. Despite contributing significantly to their organizations, women are often judged on subjective criteria […]

Women: Ask for What You Want, You’re Being Judged Either Way

Career Optimization, Culture, Gemisode

A Gemisode® Series – Part II In part I of this Gemisode, we introduced the term intersectionality, coined by legal scholar, educator, and activist Dr. Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989. We also shared our perspective on the impact of failing to address and educate people on the realities of the human experience. Now it’s time to […]

Is Intentional or Unintentional Ignorance at the Root of the Attack on DEI? – Part II

Culture, Gemisode, Organizational Optimization

Knowledge is Power written against sage background.
Knowledge is Power written against sage background.

A Gemisode® Series – Part I It’s June, which means another month of highlighting and bringing awareness to various causes has arrived. This month, in addition to Pride, which celebrates and recognizes the contributions of members of the LGBTQ+ community, we also focus on Men’s Health, which seeks to bring attention to the unique health […]

Is Intentional or Unintentional Ignorance at the Root of the Attack on DEI?

Culture, Gemisode, Organizational Optimization

As May begins, we find ourselves at the intersection of two significant observances: Mental Health Awareness Month and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. These observances hold profound importance for our communities and workplaces, highlighting the need for ongoing dialogue and action. Mental health is a universal concern that transcends cultural and ethnic […]

Continuing the Conversation: Mental Health Awareness & AAPI Heritage Month

Culture, Gems, Research & Law

Black phone on white desk with text message box over it

Overworked, exhausted, and feeling the constant pull to respond to work emails or messages after hours? You’re not alone. The blurring of boundaries between work life and personal life has become a pervasive issue, leaving many employees feeling drained and burnt out. This pressure not only takes a toll on mental health but also undermines […]

Leaders It’s Time to Listen Up, Right to Disconnect Legislation is Increasing

Gems, Organizational Optimization, Research & Law

Grief knows no expiration date; it accompanies us throughout life, regardless of time or circumstance. Why is this so top of mind today? Well, it marks the 4th anniversary of the death of a very close friend, Rhonda, who died from cancer.  Four years later, the pain and grief of that loss still floats around, […]

Grief and What Every Leader Needs to Get Right

Career Optimization, Gems, Productivity & Processes

Waves lightly crassing beach shore at sunset
women with raised fist in support of each other

A Gemisode® Series – Part II As we continue our exploration of equity in the workplace, it’s important that we outline actionable steps that leaders, organizations, and society at large can take to address the challenges highlighted in Part I, foster more inclusive environments, and ensure that both current and future generations of women are […]

Women in the Workplace: Examining the Past, Present, and Redefining the Future – Part II

Culture, Gemisode, Organizational Optimization

A Gemisode® Series – Part I It’s officially Women’s History Month in the USA, and with International Women’s Day (March 8th) just around the corner, there is no better time to reflect on the experiences of women in the workplace and the critical role that organizations, leaders, and individuals play in championing support and creating […]

Women in the Workplace: Examining the Past, Present, and Redefining the Future

Culture, Gemisode, Research & Law

women with raised fist in support of each other
Man looking at charts and graphs on double monitors.

In a tense moment, an executive leader lashed out, “The recruiting team is costing us business; they are taking too long to fill roles and I’ve had it.” The new head of recruiting, still finding their footing, found themselves in the crossfire of this outburst as the statement was directed towards them. Knowing that they […]

Metrics Don’t Matter if You Insist on Measuring the Wrong Things

Gems, Organizational Optimization, Productivity & Processes

Left unchecked, these challenges are the difference between a highly engaged, innovative workplace and one that’s riddled with friction, disengagement, and unwanted turnover.

I’ve seen first-hand what happens when you master the art of people. Long-term success stems from those who are propelling it forward, so investing in yourself or your organization is the fastest way to drive growth.

At Chapter tOO, we’re bringing decades of experience, optimizing your career or organization. We put people first. And profit follows.

All business problems are rooted in people challenges.

Meet the Founder and CEO of Chapter tOO™  

Hi, I’m Charmaine Green-Forde

A NYC certified Minority/Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE)

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