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For some leaders, success doesn’t bring confidence—it intensifies fear. Promotions, recognition, or stretch opportunities don’t feel earned; they feel temporary. Instead of pride, there’s a constant hum of anxiety that whispers, “It’s only a matter of time

For many leaders, the fear of being wrong, sounding stupid, or being perceived as incompetent quietly shapes their behavior more than they realize. The Dropout Faulty Program is one of our “cousin” programs—not as prevalent as the

The Martyr Faulty Program is one of the most quietly draining patterns we see in leadership. In our analysis, 19 percent of leaders run this program, which drives a deep belief that “I have to do it

Most people don’t enjoy conflict—but for leaders running the Mime Faulty Program, conflict doesn’t just feel uncomfortable; it feels threatening. Even minor disagreements can trigger a deep need to stabilize, smooth over, or silence themselves to maintain

The Control Freak is typically not driven by arrogance, but by a deep-seated fear—a profound discomfort with uncertainty and a belief that safety and success hinge on their ability to maintain control. While they may project an

It’s human nature to seek belonging, connection, and acceptance. But when the need to please overshadows authenticity, leaders find themselves running one of the most common—and costly—Faulty Programs: The People-Pleaser. In our research with 250 leaders across

In our research of 250 leaders across industries, nearly one in three showed patterns consistent with the Perfectionist Faulty Program — one of the most quietly exhausting operating systems leaders run. Perfectionism is often mistaken for a

“Being ‘crazy busy’ is not a badge of honor; it’s a badge of armor and self-protection.” — Dr. Rosie Ward In our research with 250 leaders across various industries, the Overachiever Faulty Program emerged as the second-most

In our research with 250 leaders across various industries, one faulty pattern emerged more frequently than any other: the Counterfeit Faulty Program. It was observed in 36% of the leaders in our study. This post builds on

Organizations today face an environment defined by constant disruption. Advances in technology, shifting workforce expectations, economic uncertainty, and global crises have created a workplace where volatility is the norm. Yet despite adapting strategies and investing heavily in

It’s nearly impossible these days to avoid articles or news stories about the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI). With all of the encouraging advancements that AI can bring also comes human emotions – many related to fear

Are people in your organization showing up fully – meaning, are they speaking up and contributing their ideas and concerns? Or are they holding back? How would you even know? Well, if a recent survey by Crucial

Is your industry feeling the impacts of the never-ending disruptive environment that we are living in? A client last week commented on how their entire team was feeling the influence of an international conflict – and that

It is widely reported that approximately 70% of organizational change efforts fail. Yet, we keep falling into the trap of doing the same things over and expecting a different result. We have found that there are two

According to new research by The Josh Bersin Company, leadership development has been ignored by companies in recent years—and it’s hurting their performance. The study, which spanned over two years, included interviews with more than 50 Chief

Our words have power. As human beings, we are a meaning-making species; language helps us make sense of our experiences. When we don’t have accurate language, it impedes our ability to understand, process, and move through things.

In our rapidly changing and interconnected world, organizations are starting to recognize the critical importance of inclusivity and psychological safety in the workplace. Beyond simply promoting diversity, fostering an inclusive and psychologically safe environment is vital for

The American Psychological Association reported in 2022 that 87% of adults believe that there has been a constant stream of crises without a break since 2020. And this stress quickly bleeds into the workplace. Consequently, it’s not

Most of us have likely heard of the iceberg analogy – where what we see on the surface is only about 10% of what is really going on beneath the surface (that we can’t see). In other

Chocolate and peanut butter by themselves are great. And yet, putting the two together is an entirely different experience (think Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups). You might think we have completely lost our minds, but bear with us