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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

We speak candidly about the workplace, leadership, and personal optimization insights you need to know, but others often shy away from.

In sharing our perspective, our goal is simple: to spark curiosity and inspire the actions needed to create a more optimized future for all.

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

gem | personal optimization | leadership optimization

women with raised fist in support of each other

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

Gemisode, Organizational Optimization

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

Gem, Organizational Optimization

sign reading surviving layoffs on top of US bills

“Some of the mass tech layoffs will cool, and we will instead start to hear about other sectors downsizing” — one of the five 2024 workplace predictions Chapter tOO made in early January. Recent headlines are validating this prediction, as layoffs in sectors beyond tech, such as retailer Macy’s closing 5 stores and laying off […]

Layoffs, Leadership, and Learning Lessons!

Gem, Organizational Optimization

View of crowd present for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s I Have a Dream speech given on Aug. 28, 1963

In recent months, conversations about leadership have been dominating headlines around the globe. Whether due to ongoing unrest, election processes, or leaders being exposed for exhibiting behaviors unbecoming of the positions they hold, the discussions seem to be endless. With this in mind, we’ve been engaged in deep discussions about the qualities that define exceptional […]

Lessons on Leading for Lasting Legacy

Gem, Personal Optimization

Happy 2024

Happy New Year to you, our community of optimizers! As we welcome 2024, let’s take a moment to reflect on the whirlwind that was 2023. A year marked by unprecedented changes and shocking revelations in the world of business and workforce management. From the unexpected SPV collapse in the first quarter to continued layoffs across […]

Welcoming 2024: The Year of Transformation and Continued Innovation

Gem, Organizational Optimization

White paper figure cutouts standing in circle with one standing out in gold.

2023 is coming to a close, and to say that the business world has seen a tumultuous end would be an understatement! Between last-minute layoffs, the recent OpenAI saga, and some employers insisting on a full return to the office, it’s safe to assume that we have a lot to be over! Amidst these changes, one […]

From Buddy to Boss: Navigating Workplace Relationship Transitions

Gem, Personal Optimization

Napkin with words are you an introvert written

When pondering the qualities of an effective leader, does introversion ever come to mind? The opening sentence of a recent LinkedIn post made by our founder & CEO Charmaine states, “I’m an introvert, and when I say introvert, I mean HIGH. In fact, on every test for introversion I’ve ever taken, my introversion score has […]

Quiet Strength: Embracing Introverted Leadership in Business

Gem, Organizational Optimization, Personal Optimization

a group of paper people with different emotions on a blue background.

‘Preserving the culture’ is a refrain often repeated within organizations, emphasizing the importance of preserving traditions and norms. However, amidst the call to uphold the status quo, a critical aspect is often overlooked: whether said culture is truly worth preserving. Much like any living entity, workplace culture needs periodic check-ins to ensure its continued relevance […]

How Insisting on ‘Preserving the Culture’ Can Backfire

Gem, Organizational Optimization

World map with interconnected lines

There is no question that leaders and organizations face the challenging responsibility of addressing and mitigating the impact of global unrest on their employees, stakeholders, and communities. The events of the past few years, from the COVID-19 pandemic to conflicts, human rights crises, and natural disasters, have underscored the pressures leaders face and the increasingly […]

Navigating Global Unrest: The Responsibility of Leaders and Organizations

Gem, Leadership Optimization

Tall grass against calming sky background

A Gemisode® Series – Part II In Part I of this Gemisode, we introduced the concepts of authenticity and social consciousness as fundamental forces reshaping business leadership. Now, it’s time to take a closer look at how these principles are actively put into practice, influencing various aspects of the business world. Accountability and Social Consciousness […]

How Authenticity & Social Consciousness Are Redefining Leadership Expectations – Part II

Gemisode, Personal Optimization

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