Posted on May 28th | By: Janet Hoffmann | Comments 0

Resistance to change is one of the most common and misunderstood leadership challenges. When it shows up, it can feel frustrating. It may interpret it as negativity, lack of buy-in, or even defiance. But in most cases, resistance isn’t about unwillingness. It’s about uncertainty. How leaders respond to that uncertainty determines whether trust is strengthened or quietly eroded. What Resistance Really Looks Like Resistance doesn’t always show up as open disagreement. More often, it looks like: Delayed follow-through Minimal engagement… Continue Reading »
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Posted Under: Change Management, Communication, Engagement, Performance Management
Posted on May 20th | By: Janet Hoffmann | Comments 0

We often think of time management only as a personal productivity skill. Something we each need to “get better at.” In reality…Time Management is very much a leadership issue. Because how you manage your time and how you help your team manage theirs directly impacts: Execution Engagement Trust Stress levels And results Often, with leaders I coach, I hear their frustration around their team missing deadlines, showing limited accountability and working ineffectively together. As we dig deeper it becomes clear…… Continue Reading »
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Posted Under: Leadership, Time Management
Posted on March 16th | By: Janet Hoffmann | Comments 0

Most leaders want to be trusted. They care about their people. They work hard. They try to do the right thing. And yet, trust on teams is often more fragile than leaders realize. That’s because trust isn’t built in a single moment or earned through a title. It’s shaped quietly, over time, through everyday behaviors, especially when things are busy, stressful, or uncomfortable. Here’s a distinction I see often in organizations. Leaders who are good at building trust: They generally… Continue Reading »
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Posted Under: Building Relationships, Culture, Engagement, Leadership, Retention, Team Member Experience, Teams, Trust
Posted on February 9th | By: Janet Hoffmann | Comments 0

As the year winds down, many teams are pushing hard to finish projects, close out initiatives, and tie up loose ends. But when teams move nonstop from one thing to the next without pausing to regroup, the cost is burnout, frustration, and declining engagement. Teams don’t struggle because of the work itself, they struggle because they never get a chance to recover from the work. That’s why team renewal is essential, especially as you prepare for the year ahead. What… Continue Reading »
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Posted Under: Culture, Engagement, Leadership, Teams, Uncategorized
Posted on December 16th | By: Janet Hoffmann | Comments 0

Years ago, someone I used to work for called me out of the blue. He wanted to build an HR department where one did not currently exist and asked if I’d consider joining as Director of Human Resources. I was honored … and a little surprised … to hear from him. But there was just one small problem: I had zero HR experience. My background was in restaurant operations and learning & development. I started to explain that … but… Continue Reading »
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Posted Under: Building Relationships, Coaching, Development, Engagement, Gratitude, Growth, Mentoring, Recognition
Posted on December 4th | By: Janet Hoffmann | Comments 0

When we take a moment to notice and appreciate the people we work with, something powerful happens, energy shifts, connections deepen, and motivation grows. Gratitude has that kind of ripple effect. It reminds us that behind every result is effort, collaboration, and care. Whether it’s a colleague who steps in to help, a team that rallies to meet a deadline, or a leader who takes time to listen, gratitude is what turns everyday work into something meaningful. In the workplace,… Continue Reading »
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Posted Under: Building Relationships, Culture, Engagement, Feedback, Gratitude, Recognition
Posted on November 12th | By: Janet Hoffmann | Comments 0

Most leaders know feedback matters, but knowing how to give it effectively is where many stumble. A well-intentioned comment can motivate one person and completely deflate another. The difference often comes down to how the message is delivered. Done right, feedback builds clarity, confidence, and connection. Done poorly, it erodes trust and engagement. In fact, a 2024 Gallup report found that only 26% of employees strongly agree that the feedback they get helps them do better work, yet 80% of… Continue Reading »
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Posted Under: Coaching, Communication, Development, Feedback, Growth, Leadership, Performance Management
Posted on November 5th | By: Janet Hoffmann | Comments 0

For many, we are approaching the time of year when much of our focus turns to performance evaluations. I’ll discuss in another post, pros and cons of annual reviews. In either scenario, effective feedback is one of the most powerful levers you have to raise performance, strengthen engagement, and retain talent. In fact, Gallup research shows that 80% of employees who receive meaningful feedback weekly report being fully engaged. Meanwhile, Forbes cites another Gallup finding that teams with high engagement… Continue Reading »
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Posted Under: Building Relationships, Coaching, Communication, Development, Feedback, Leadership, Performance Management, Talent Management, Trust, Uncategorized
Posted on October 28th | By: Janet Hoffmann | Comments 0

Defining your leadership brand is a powerful first step. But how do we move from thoughts or on paper to having impact? The real work comes in communicating it consistently so people know what to expect from you as a leader. Ways to Communicate Your Leadership Brand Lead by example – Every action you take communicates your brand. If your brand is about collaboration, are you inviting others into decision-making? If it’s about accountability, are you owning mistakes… Continue Reading »
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Posted Under: Communication, Development, Engagement, Growth, Leadership, Networking, Personal Development, Social Media
Posted on October 20th | By: Janet Hoffmann | Comments 0

Defining your leadership brand is about intention. Instead of leaving your reputation to chance, you deliberately shape how you want to be known and the impact you want to make. Think of it as writing the script others will naturally use to describe you. When your values, strengths, and actions align, people know exactly who you are as a leader and why it matters to follow you. Steps to Develop Your Leadership Brand Clarify your values. Your brand begins… Continue Reading »
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Posted Under: Growth, Leadership, Strategic, Teams, Trust