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
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
Check out our latest Gems & Gemisodes ®
“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? […]
Emily Bradish
Head of Corporate Recruiting, workday,
Workday
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ALNIE FIGUEROA
Former Head of Product & Design Operations,
Netflix
"...They [Chapter tOO] have a special gift of assessing and communicating business strategy and connecting it with people's motivations. They do not shy away from difficult conversations and I am amazed by their courage to encourage, coach and challenge leaders and team members they interact with. This results in positive momentum to the business and an enduring culture that uplifts the people in the organization..."
"I am a much better leader and human because of their influence..."
Johnetta "Netta" Elzie
Activist, Speaker, and Writer
"It did not take long for me to fully understand that it was kismet that Charmaine would become my executive coach during a storm in my life. I greatly appreciated the candidness, care, and overall approach to collaboration... I highly suggest working with Chapter tOO™ if given the opportunity ".
"it helped me to see and plan beyond the moment."
Hannah Hackley
Sr. Partner Development Manager,
google
"We are already getting rave feedback on your session, specifically how empowering and thought provoking it was.
Thank you for partnering with us on this, and helping to lift our community."
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Gina Cherwin,
Former Chief People Officer,
MIKE WORLDWIDE
"Through every session, [Chapter tOO™ was] engaging, encouraging, insightful and inspiring as they led our agency on this journey to better understand ourselves so we can... continue to grow our business."
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Noble Varughese,
former Executive Director,
Lincoln Hall
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Susan L. Taylor,
FOUNDER & CEO,
NATIONAL CARES MENTORING MOVEMENT,
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF EMERITA, ESSENCE MAGAZINE
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Gillian Williams,
Partner & Founder,
Monday Talent
"We were incredibly fortunate to have [Chapter tOO] speak to our team about the importance of emotional intelligence in business... [they have] a natural way of engaging with others...Anyone who has the opportunity to partner with them is truly lucky”
"The knowledge we gained coming out of the session continues to be invaluable."
Diane Wallace Booker,
Executive Director,
US Dream Academy
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"their ability to streamline processes and to create a [more] meaningful employee experience was very valuable...."
Dr. Peter A. James,
President and CEO,
HCG Consulting Solutions
"...by partnering with organizations [on] critical thinking, advocacy, equity and cultural competence...thereby positively impacting both employees and stakeholders alike".
"the preeminent expert in leading organizations and their leaders to 100% clarity about how to strengthen their culture..."
Dr. Achiamah Osei-Tutu,
Founder & Lead Clinician,
Osei-Tutu Dermatology
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