Hala Batainah 
Let us be honest. We don’t always feel like stepping into that meeting room or hopping on that Zoom/Teams call. Our energy might be low, our minds elsewhere—maybe the baby kept you up all night, or you have just hit that mid-afternoon slump. And sometimes, there’s no option to reschedule or take a long break. … Read more
Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a distant dream—it is a reality, already shaping how we work, think, and express creativity. As exciting as this transformation is, it raises some important questions for leaders. I love the potential of AI. I gave a presentation on what I wanted from AI seven years ago (see here … Read more
This past week has been about stopping, restocking, and taking a day—actually, four days—to pause, recharge, reconnect, and remember what matters. It’s been a long year on many fronts, and someone reminded me that there are twelve weekends until Christmas (sorry, yes, I cringed too). It feels like time is spinning faster than we can … Read more
The curse of knowledge: What we cannot unsee The curse of knowledge is the challenge we face when we become aware of something, and our understanding of the world changes irrevocably. While we can learn and unlearn certain things, the knowledge we gain shapes our reality in ways that can be difficult to shift. … Read more
Last week, a high-profile technology company made headlines by mandating a total return to the office five days a week starting next year. The buzz is that many organisations are doing the same or have already started. The rationale? Companies want people to reconnect in person to boost morale and team engagement. Yet, some view … Read more
I spent 20+ years in enterprise sales-oriented organisations. These fantastic companies taught me about customer service, identifying client needs, addressing issues, and helping clients make purchasing decisions. Regardless of industry and size, companies worldwide spend thousands to millions of dollars each year teaching their sales folks how to help customers buy and sell to customers. … Read more
We have all been caught up in the whirlwind of meetings, deadlines, and the occasional crisis that seems to follow us around like a bad smell. As we climb higher in our careers, it is easy to think that if we keep delivering results for the company, we are set for some specific period of … Read more
Picture this: it is a typical Tuesday, and you, the ever-thoughtful leader, decide to lift the team’s spirits. You swing by the local bakery and pick up a cake. It is decadent—layers of chocolate, a swirl of cream, maybe even a hint of caramel. You march into the office like a hero, cake in hand, … Read more
When you think about outstanding leadership, what comes to mind? Decisive decision-making, strategic thinking, or the ability to motivate a team through thick and thin? All important, sure. However, one quality that quietly underpins the most effective leaders yet is often overlooked is a positive mindset. And no, I do not mean the cliché of … Read more
On Monday, I attended an industry event where the speaker was asked a straightforward question: “What is your vision for the organisation?” His response was interesting. Rather than offering a bold new vision, he acknowledged that the organisation already had a vision and did not need to reinvent it just because he was now at … Read more