Author: Alexis

In many leadership workshops, we introduce a simple idea that quickly becomes a powerful lens: the idea of the line. Above the line, we are open, curious, and ready to learn. Below the line, we are closed, protective, and trying to get through the moment. It is easy to assume that one is good and…

At the Peter Drucker Forum, I attended a powerful conversation titled Stick to Business or Take a Stand? The panel, chaired by Thomas Lange, Managing Director, Achleitner Ventures, featured The discussion revolved around one essential tension that leaders face today. When should a leader simply focus on running the business, and when should they take…

Last week, I attended a fascinating panel at the Peter Drucker Forum:​Real-World Lessons from Hierarchy-Busting Pioneers, chaired by Michele Zanini from the Management Lab. The speakers were– Michael Lurie from Bayer– Michael Y. Lee from INSEAD– Kevin Nolan from GE Appliances, a Haier company– Karen Massey from argenx All of them described how their organizations…

Many organizations struggle to find the right balance between giving people freedom and keeping things under control. They often try to fix a “trust problem” with more control, or fix a “control problem” with more trust. But these are not opposites to be solved. They are a polarity to be managed. In Polarity Management, Barry Johnson…

In busy weeks filled with meetings, decisions, and endless messages, it is easy to lose sight of what drives us.Sometimes we move from one task to another without noticing whether we are acting out of obligation or out of genuine choice.This quick reflection can help leaders and teams reconnect with what truly matters. Take a…

We often talk about values as if they were things we already have. We list them in presentations, print them on posters, or mention them when asked about what matters most to us.But if we look closer, our real values show up in what we do, especially when no one is watching. In The Happiness Trap,…

We often talk about leadership as if it’s a role, something that begins when you’re promoted or when your title changes. But the truth is, leadership is a collective capacity, not a position. It’s something we build together, moment by moment, through how we show up, communicate, and make decisions. This month, I’d like to explore a…

Objectives and Key Results, or OKRs, are simple in form and powerful in practice. Used well, they connect vision to execution, align teams on outcomes instead of outputs, and create a learning cadence that compounds over time. Used poorly, they become a quarterly spreadsheet that encourages busywork and sandbagging. This edition is a practical guide to OKRs you can trust. Along the way, I…

This month, let’s tackle a common yet challenging topic many leaders and teams face: handling difficult personalities at work. Specifically, what to do when someone frequently seems defensive, overly critical, or constantly “on the attack,” making collaboration challenging for everyone involved. Understanding Difficult Behavior It’s also valuable to reflect on why certain behaviors trigger us strongly.…

This month, let’s explore a powerful theme that lies at the heart of leadership and performance: mindset. Angle 1 – The Mindset–Performance Connection How we think influences how we show up, and ultimately how we perform. Whether it’s preparing for a difficult conversation, tackling a strategic decision, or navigating uncertainty, our mindset shapes how we…