Leadership 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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

Pride Month, celebrated annually in June in the United States, holds deep historical significance for the LGBTQ+ community and community allies. Its roots trace back to the Stonewall uprisings that took place in New York City in June 1969, which ignited a transformative movement for equality and liberation. Beyond parades and festivities, Pride serves as […]

A Gemisode™ Series – Part II As highlighted in Part I, workplace wellness is a crucial aspect of overall well-being, and organizations that fail to prioritize workplace wellness often experience significant impacts on productivity, innovation, revenue growth, retention, and workplace culture. Companies with strong cultures are more profitable because they understand the importance of investing […]

A Gemisode™ Series – Part I May is a significant month in the United States for two important observances: Mental Health Awareness and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage. For those who may not be aware, AAPI Heritage Month is a yearly celebration that honors the vast contributions, achievements, and influences of Asian Americans […]

“Ma’am, this is your time, take it, you don’t have to rush” …. the words said to me by the check-out associate as the pressured feeling to pack my groceries quickly set in after glancing at the line behind me. As I left the store those 12 words began replaying in my mind and forced […]

In part 1, we discussed the leadership failure issues associated with the statement, “I’m disappointed but firing them is not an option.” This statement was made by a c-suite executive to an employee who had worked up the courage to report the prejudiced and bias-based behaviors of another leader. As is true of every statement […]

“I’m disappointed but firing them is not an option.” We’re back with another publication of Leadership Fail Statements, a gemisode series dedicated to examining the impact and harm of the actual statements made by organizational leaders in response to issue(s) that were brought to their attention. If you missed parts 1 and 2 of the […]

For failure to demonstrate consistency in its application and create sustained change. FOMO, the other ‘f’ and once the primary concern amongst netizens, has been replaced by the fear of being “cancelled”. If recent headlines about artists changing song lyrics, celebrities, politicians, countries, brands, and everyday people being publicly shamed are any indication, this trend […]