Helping Leaders Manage in the #MeToo Era

by Patrick Kitchen | Mar 5, 2019 | Abuse of Power, Articles, Leadership, Learning and Development, organizations

Last week I was coaching Mike, a Senior Vice President, and someone known throughout his company as a diversity champion. He’s managed and mentored many women and minorities, and played a central role in advancing their careers. In the middle of our conversation, he...

3 Lessons We Learned About Power in 2018

by Julie | Jan 2, 2019 | Abuse of Power, Articles, Leadership, Learning and Development, organizations

The ugly side of power was on full display in 2018. In fact, it was a banner year for the misuse and abuse of power. We witnessed a parade of powerful men resign or being fired over sexual abuse and misconduct. We saw the popularity of the “strong man autocrat”...

Power Dynamics: Why the Open Door Isn’t

by Patrick Kitchen | Dec 4, 2018 | Articles, Leadership

Several years ago I coached a leader and her team regarding insider-outsider power dynamics. They had hired two new team members and thought everything was going well. The new hires had great skills and good attitudes; they were easy to get along with and seemed to...

Power Perception: Seeing Through the Lens of Power

by Patrick Kitchen | Nov 7, 2018 | Articles, Leadership

The hardest part of leadership is understanding that you are not what you are, but what you’re perceived to be by others.   In the classic fable “The Emperor’s New Clothes” no one dares tell the King that he is naked, except for the lowest ranking person in the...

Building A Better Workplace Culture

by Patrick Kitchen | Oct 10, 2018 | Articles, Leadership

Healthy workplace culture is vital to an organizations success. But whether in the form of subtle hostility or overt rudeness, sarcasm, gossip, or inappropriate jokes, incivility continues to be a major challenge in the workplace—and in society in general. Research on...

5 Ways to Cultivate Your Personal Power

by Patrick Kitchen | Sep 11, 2018 | Articles, Change, Identity, Leadership, Learning and Development, powerless

When you are content to be simply yourself and don’t compare or compete, everyone will respect you. –Lao Tzu As an executive coach, I’ve had plenty of experience helping clients deal with ineffective leadership in the form of an insecure boss. This isn’t just a...