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

“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!

Gems, Organizational Optimization, Productivity & Processes

sign reading surviving layoffs on top of US bills
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

Career Optimization, Gems

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

Culture, Gems

Happy 2024
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

Career Optimization, Gems

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

Career Optimization, Gems, Organizational Optimization

Napkin with words are you an introvert written
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

Gems, Organizational Optimization

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

Culture, Gems

World map with interconnected lines
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

Career Optimization, Culture, Gemisode

A Gemisode® Series – Part I If you’ve been keeping up with the headlines, you may have noticed that leadership is undergoing a profound transformation, specifically what is expected of those in leadership positions.  Gone are the days when leadership was solely about authority and profit margins; instead, authenticity and social consciousness have emerged as […]

How Authenticity & Social Consciousness are Redefining Leadership Expectations

Career Optimization, Culture, Gemisode

Tall grass against calming sky background
human hand shaking artificial intelligence robot arm

As shared in our September 1st Gem post, this month we’re focused on all things Artificial Intelligence (AI)! With AI seamlessly integrating into nearly every facet of our lives, the inevitable impact on the business landscape is being increasingly felt. True to our commitment of sparking conversation and inspiring action by educating readers on issues […]

8 Ways AI is Transforming Organizational & Talent Development

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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