Category: leadership
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The Biggest Productivity Lie: Why Time Management Fails the Exhausted Leader
When I first started climbing the ladder, I was obsessed with time management. Like many leaders in tech, I viewed my planner as the ultimate tool for control. I color-coded my calendar, mastered task batching, and achieved near-perfect calendar utilization. I was “doing it all.” The painful truth? Despite my perfect schedule, I was running…
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How a Personal Board of Directors Transformed My Growth (and How You Can Build Yours)
Walking into Google felt like walking in the dark When I joined Google as a senior engineering manager: new company, new role, new world, I felt a bit like a blind person groping in the dark. I was the first external manager hired into the Israeli development center. Until then, every manager had grown from…
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Stop Dodging Office Politics
Five everyday habits that let you influence with integrity and get good work into the world “I hate office politics.” If that line has ever slipped out of your mouth, you’re in good company. I hear it from coaching clients almost every week, and I used to say it myself! The catch? Stepping away doesn’t…
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Shut Up and Listen: A Better Way to Start as a New Leader
When I stepped into my first VP role, I thought I had to hit the ground running. I had experience. A strong track record. A big title. So I thought I had to prove something — fast. But what I’ve learned (and what I now help new leaders navigate through coaching) is this: The best…
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Own Your Narrative: The Key to Getting Promoted (and Growing as a Leader)
Many believe hard work alone leads to promotions, but effective storytelling about one’s impact, challenges, and leadership is essential. Individuals often struggle to articulate their narratives, especially in ambiguous environments. Understanding how to own and present their stories can significantly impact career advancement and personal growth.
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𝗕𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻.
Last week, I gave a talk titled “𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗨𝘀”, focusing on the impact we can make on our careers and on the world when we come together. Among other things, we discussed the people who shape our careers—mentors, sponsors, and peers who lift us up. After the talk, one question kept coming up…
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The Way Out Is In
The Emotion Escape Route “I just can’t deal with this anger. I need it to GO AWAY.” Have you ever found yourself desperately trying to escape uncomfortable emotions? That tightness in your chest during a high-stakes meeting. The knot in your stomach before delivering difficult feedback. The racing thoughts that keep you up at 3…
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The Mindful Leader: Buddhist Teachings for Modern Businesses
In my previous post, “The Sabbatical Less Traveled: From Google Director to Buddhist Student”, I shared my transformative experience at Kopan Monastery in Nepal. Today, I want to share some of my learnings, and explore how Buddhist practices and principles can revolutionize modern leadership. While many discuss Buddhism’s personal benefits, its potential for transforming business…
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The Sabbatical Less Traveled: From Google Director to Buddhist Student
As I shared in my previous post about leaving Google, many people approached me eager to hear more about my sabbatical year. Today, I want to share the transformative experience of learning and practicing Buddhism at Kopan Monastery in Nepal. A Dream Fulfilled While I’d taken Buddhist courses and weekend retreats before, this was my…
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The Mentor Within: A Simple Question That Changes Everything
Recently, during a coaching session with a new client facing a significant career challenge, I introduced them to a tool so simple it almost feels like magic. As we explored their struggles and aspirations, I asked, “What would you tell yourself if you were your own mentor?” The impact was immediate. My client paused, leaned…
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The Guitar’s Leadership Lessons
Starting My Musical Journey as an Adult It sat in our basement, a gleaming acoustic guitar, both beckoning and mocking. “Aren’t you a bit old for this?” the voice in my head whispered. “Shouldn’t you have started this journey decades ago?”. The same voice had haunted my leadership aspirations early in my career – that…
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Discovering a New Path
My Journey into Coaching In my 30+ years in the tech industry, I’ve worn many hats – software engineer, startup founder, VP of Engineering, and now Director at Google. But perhaps the most transformative role I’ve stepped into wasn’t about climbing the corporate ladder. It was about learning to climb down and meet people where…
Mor Schlesinger 