Articles

As professional certified coaches, we believe that a truly impactful question is one of the greatest gifts you can give.…

Many believe the harmful misconception that leaders should have all the answers. Yet, in my experience as a leadership coach, I’ve discovered that the most transformative breakthroughs often happen when leaders openly admit, “I don’t know.” These words, rather than an admission of inadequacy, can be a starting point for growth and innovation—if we learn…

Are you eager to take on a leadership position in your organization? My role as a leadership coach allows me to meet and work with a wide variety of leaders. I’ve noticed that no matter the job or industry, the same basic criteria are used to evaluate employees for potential promotion. The leaders I work…

The team at Emergent is deeply thankful for the relationships we have developed throughout Central New York and beyond. This is the season in which we reflect on the year’s accomplishments and growth experiences. It’s a time to humbly recognize how abundant our lives are because of the relationships we have. Holding the space for…

The illusion of control is, perhaps, the leading stressor for most human beings. Yes, there are legitimate worries–money, relationship troubles, sickness, war–but often the heavier burden is our mistaken notion that we are somehow responsible for everything that happens to us. The countless things we fret over are mostly out of our control, but unfortunately,…

In our journey through life, we all face critical moments that test our character and leadership abilities. Whether you’re leading a team in a corporate setting, guiding a community, or shepherding a congregation, how you respond to difficult moments can define your leadership legacy. I’ve seen firsthand the impact that effective leadership can have during…

Long ago, I was having a conversation with the CEO of an organization and asked him a question: What is your most important leadership trait, the one you rely on the most? He answered with a question, asking if he could avoid the “obvious answers” like trust, honesty, loyalty, purpose, and clear communication. I was…

Leaders are increasingly adopting a compassionate and empathetic approach to management. This shift, while positive in many respects, has sparked a debate about its potential downsides. Specifically, some leaders fear that their efforts to accommodate employees’ needs might inadvertently foster a sense of entitlement and erode accountability. This blog explores these concerns and offers insights…

In a recent consulting skills class that I was leading, a participant asked a familiar question: What makes a good consultant? I replied, “A good consultant is open to everything, attached to nothing, and expert in something.” It is the first time I answered the question in that fashion—I think it would make a good…

Have you ever been in a meeting where the agenda was not well followed, or else completely ignored? Maybe there wasn’t a formal agenda in the first place, but just a vague sense of why the meeting was called. And maybe you’ve experienced the frustration of facilitating a meeting that gets side-tracked by seemingly random…

The great paradox of the quest for enlightenment is that it is a lifelong search for something you already have. I’ve been reading and listening to a lot of material on this subject, and the one consistent message I’m receiving is that enlightenment is not something to attain, but something to recognize. It’s an awakening…

Recently, I had the privilege of attending one of our client’s semi-annual leadership gatherings, an event designed to provide crucial updates and training on de-escalation and conflict resolution. I was particularly impressed by how the senior leadership team managed the open forum Q&A session at the end of the day. Their approach to handling questions…

I’m an aspiring naturalist. Whenever I can, I enjoy the beauty of the outdoors by hiking, biking, fishing, and kayaking. But I’ve become increasingly aware that my time in nature results in unintended consequences. As a Boy Scout, I learned and practiced the value of leaving a place better than you found it. My father…

In life and leadership, the unseen often wields more power than the seen. Invisible expectations, those unspoken assumptions and standards we carry, can subtly sabotage our best intentions, leaving us and our teams frustrated and confused. Recognizing and addressing these hidden expectations is crucial for effective leadership and team cohesion. As someone who sits on…

If you’ve read anything about Buddhism, you’ve probably heard of the Four Noble Truths. These precepts pose a challenge–life is often painful and difficult–and then provide an answer to that challenge in the form of Buddhist philosophy. They point to a path forward grounded in non-resistance. Leadership is both a privilege and responsibility. It is…

Newness is relative. When a scientist discovers a “new” plant or insect, they are, in reality, finally noticing a neighbor who’s been on the block much longer than we have. The flora and fauna that evolved here in North America were new to the ancients who made their way from Asia, and new once again…

In the dynamic world of leadership, staying ahead and continuously improving is vital. As we celebrate 20 years of guiding…

What’s most important for you in your life, as you see it now? Is it your health, vocation, relationships, personal development? Perhaps it’s unfair to frame the question this way, as if you can only choose one. Most people cannot and should not whittle their priorities down to a unitary aim. But neither should your…