Leadership Optimization

Read any headline, whether about the workplace or the state of the world, and you’ll see positions that are diametrically opposed. One side insists the other is harmful. The other fires back with the same charge. In other words, “unsafe” has become a catch-all phrase. But not everything that feels unsafe is truly unsafe. Sometimes […]

Ask any leadership framework or HR textbook and you’ll get a list of “essential competencies.” Communication. Decision-making. Vision. Emotional intelligence. Strategy. The lists keep growing, and the frameworks keep multiplying. Over the years, we’ve seen how organizations lean on competency models to define what leaders “need” to succeed. These models aren’t without value, but they […]

“Look at the stars, look how they shine for you…” That’s a line from one of Coldplay’s most iconic songs—Yellow—and ironically, it’s the lyric that’s been echoing across the internet in the wake of what’s now known as the kiss cam moment. The band may have been playing what’s since been dubbed “The Jumbotron Song” […]

Editor’s Note: In recognition of National PTSD Awareness Day (June 27th), this first-person essay from our Founder & CEO, Charmaine Green-Forde, offers a rare, unfiltered look at the toll toxic workplace culture can take—especially from behind the scenes in HR.   Is the danger of toxic workplace culture overblown—or are we just used to it? […]

A Gemisode® Series Let’s not sugarcoat it: Comfort is costing you. It’s costing trust, innovation, top talent, market share, and time you’ll never get back. In Part I, we explored why resistance to change runs so deep—rooted in behavioral patterns like status quo bias, loss aversion, and inertia. In Part II, we uncovered how culture […]

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 […]