Practical tips, tools and ideas on leadership, management and organizational success

Gratitude has become a bit of a buzzword. We know it's good for us. We've seen the articles, heard the TED Talks. But when life gets stressful, gratitude is often the first thing to fall off our to-do list.

If “Nice work!” is your go-to praise, it’s time for an upgrade. Vague compliments are the junk food of feedback—tasty in the moment, zero staying power. Try the SBI Formula instead: 📍 𝗦𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – When/where it happened 🎯 𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗿 – What the person actually did 💥 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 – Why it mattered

But here’s the real opportunity for leaders: ✅ What story do former employees tell about your culture? ✅ Did they leave because they outgrew the role—or felt undervalued? ✅ Would they come back… and would you want them back

✔️ Companies in the top quartile for ethnic diversity are 33% more likely to outperform on profitability (McKinsey). ✔️ Gender-diverse teams outperform less-diverse peers by 21% (McKinsey) ✔️ Organizations with inclusive cultures are 6× more likely to be innovative and 8× more likely to achieve better business outcomes (Deloitte). ✔️ Diverse teams make better decisions 87% of the time (Harvard Business Review). ✔️ Companies with diverse leadership generate 19% more innovation

It’s also: 👉 “What did their exit teach us about how we develop and retain talent?” Because every exit is feedback. And every return is a second chance—to get it right. What’s your take on hiring back former employees? Have you done it successfully—or regretted it?

Toxic workplaces drain more than just your energy—they chip away at your confidence, your well-being, and your empathy. They’re a leading cause of burnout, and unfortunately, they don’t come with a warning label. So if you're stuck in one, don't just brace yourself—arm yourself. Here’s how to survive with your sanity (and soul) intact: