Every leader faces moments when the path forward blurs—when market shifts, organizational change, or world events make it difficult to see what’s next. In those moments, calm becomes more than composure. It becomes strategy. Neuroscience shows that uncertainty triggers the amygdala—the brain’s fear center—causing stress hormones to rise and focus to narrow. But there’s another way. When you slow your breathing, reframe the situation, or anchor to purpose,…
In a world that prizes logic, metrics, and constant optimization, emotional regulation has quietly become the differentiator between managers who simply execute and leaders who truly inspire. As I explore in my forthcoming book, Call & Response: 10 Leadership Lessons from the Black Church (Amistad Books | JVL Media | Feb 2026), the most resilient executives don’t rely on head-only decisions. They lead from the intersection of heart…
If you’re feeling weary from yet another round of reorgs, RTO mandates, or shifting priorities, you’re not alone. Change fatigue has quietly become one of the most underestimated barriers to leadership effectiveness today. Neuroscience tells us that our brains are wired to protect us from uncertainty. Positive psychology reminds us that hope and meaning are the antidotes. But how do you bridge the gap when you’re leading a…
Intuition Isn’t Magic—It’s a Muscle For some leaders, “trust your gut” is second nature. For others, it takes practice. Intuition grows when you exercise it early and often—something many gospel singers learn young while listening, blending, and responding to the moment. I learned this firsthand under my favorite minister of music, Gaye Arbuckle—a Stellar Award–nominee and gospel recording artist—during seven powerful years in Concord Church’s music ministry here…
Right now, many people are showing up to work carrying invisible weight. Economic uncertainty. Social tension. Cultural unrest. When the world doesn’t feel safe, it’s no surprise that the workplace often mirrors that unease. Psychological safety is one of the most powerful tools a leader has to shift that dynamic. Coined by Harvard professor Amy Edmondson, the term refers to a shared belief that it’s safe to take…
For years, hustle culture has convinced leaders that success requires exhaustion. Long hours, endless to-do lists, and a calendar packed to the brim have been worn like badges of honor. But what if that very mindset is quietly undermining your clarity, creativity, and capacity to lead? Neuroscience shows that the brain’s decision-making center, the prefrontal cortex, performs best when it has space to recover. Positive psychology research also…
Every leader faces moments that test them: a failed project, a missed opportunity, a layoff, or a time when expectations fell short. These moments can feel heavy, but neuroscience and positive psychology tell us something powerful—how you frame these experiences changes everything. When you consciously reframe a setback, your brain begins to reinforce new pathways for clarity and confidence. Positive psychology calls this post-traumatic growth—the ability not only…
While everyone is talking about mid-career pivots and layoffs at the top, we’re overlooking a key group hit hardest by today’s shaky job market: college seniors. The Class of 2025 is entering a world of work that looks more like a tightrope than a career ladder. I sat down with my friend and colleague Leilani M. Brown, CEO of Giant Steps and author of From Campus to Career,…
Uncertainty has a way of shaking even the strongest leaders. But here’s the truth: hope isn’t fluff. It’s a framework and science. And when you understand how it works, it becomes one of the most powerful leadership strategies you have. This week on Her Next Power Move™, I’m unpacking Hope Theory—why it matters now more than ever, and how leaders can cultivate it for themselves and their teams.…
You’re probably aware that my publishers revealed the cover of my upcoming book last week, but did you know that I wrote an essay about what went into the design and even shared the artist’s name? It’s all on my Substack, and just like the audiobook that will also drop on pub day, I’m narrating. So grab your favorite pair of headsets or AirPods, a glass or cup…