Do the opposite? Effective leaders don’t follow the crowd
why doing the opposite can help you be a more effective leader
Hala Batainah
Leading with confidence, not perfection
It often starts innocently enough. A promotion. A bigger title. A new mandate. And with it, the quiet weight of expectation that you “should” now have all the answers. Know what to do. Say the right thing. Predict the future. Show up flawless. I see it in the eyes of the executives I partner with. … Read more
It’s not the chaos that defines you. It’s how you lead through it
As leaders, we have always known that uncertainty is part of the job. But let’s be blunt: the world seems a little more uncertain these days. Whether it is shifting political landscapes, volatile economies, or the ever-present pressure of leading teams through global and local challenges, it feels like leadership today continues to require new … Read more
Boundaries are sticking around
Ok, I thought with the end of March, I would be moving on from Boundaries…but nope. We aren’t. Because if my conversations over the past few weeks are any indication, boundaries are sticking around in the first week of April as well! But we will move on, I promise. The reason they are sticking around … Read more
Overworked, overwhelmed, and over it? Rethink your boundaries
March has been the month of boundaries—for me at least, and, it seems, for a lot of leaders struggling to set them without guilt. Last week’s article resonated with so many of you, and the feedback was clear: leaders are struggling with setting boundaries and feeling authentic in this process. So, as we wrap up … Read more
Boundaries: Why you might be getting it wrong
Everywhere I turn, the topic of boundaries is front and centre. I am feeling it myself this month. Whether it is setting boundaries at work, with family, or in other areas of life, boundaries are coming up for my clients, friends and myself in pretty much every conversation. Why? Maybe it is the sheer exhaustion … Read more
IWD has left me cold yet again; here is what I am doing instead
It is that time of year again. The LinkedIn posts. The corporate breakfasts. The panels discussing the same issues we were talking about a decade ago. International Women’s Day continues to be performative at best and hollow at worst (see previous years blogs here and here). I am not interested in another round of symbolic … Read more
Radical self-honesty: leader’s skill
Most people think they are honest with themselves. They are not. Radical self-honesty is not just about avoiding lies. It is about cutting through the comfortable narratives we tell ourselves. It is about looking at yourself without filters, without excuses, and without letting your ego soften the blow. And if that sounds uncomfortable, it should. … Read more
Success is not a solo sport: Why leadership is a team effort
We love a lone genius story. The CEO who “saved” a company. The leader who “single-handedly” changed everything. The visionary who defied the odds. These stories are compelling: clear, dramatic, easy to digest. But they are rarely the full picture. The truth is, no one does it alone. Leadership is not a solo act; it … Read more
It is not a “time management” issue
How often have you heard someone say, “I just need to get better at time management”? I hear this from leaders consistently. Maybe you have said it yourself. I know I did in the past. But here is what we do know: you cannot manage time. Time moves forward no matter what you do (and … Read more