What Betrayal Taught Us About Real Leadership
By Sonia McDonald, CEO of LeadershipHQ Let’s talk about the real problem. This isn’t about one viral video. It’s not just about gossip, or a kiss cam at a Coldplay concert. It’s about leadership accountability. It’s about a culture that still, in 2025, excuses poor behaviour from those at the top. It’s about the very […]
The BEST Leadership Programs at LeadershipHQ
And Why They Matter More Than Ever I remember the moment clearly. I was standing in a dusty boardroom in regional Queensland, delivering a leadership session to a group of supervisors who’d never once called themselves leaders. One man, arms crossed, looked at me and said, “Sonia, I’m not a leader. I just do my […]
A Brave New Chapter Begins: The LeadershipHQ Website Has Landed
(And It’s More Than a Launch—It’s a Movement) Let me take you back for a moment. Years ago, LeadershipHQ started with a powerful question: What if leadership wasn’t about ego, control, or ticking boxes, but about courage, kindness, and showing up for others? That one question sparked a ripple effect that has impacted over 100,000 […]
And What’s Really Going On
As leaders, managers, mentors, and coaches, we’ve all been there: You’re working with a bright, eager young team member, and suddenly you’re pulling your hair out wondering: “Why did they send that email without checking?” “Why can’t they manage their time?” “Why are they overexplaining everything?” “Why do they ghost when things get hard?” Here’s […]
Award-Winning Programs That Actually Move the Needle (and Your Career)
Let’s be real: the world doesn’t need more cookie-cutter leaders. It needs bold, emotionally intelligent, courageous humans ready to lead from the front — with heart, grit, and impact. That’s why we created The Leadership Association’s self-paced programs — designed with one goal in mind: helping you become the kind of leader people want to […]
A Brave New Era for HR Leadership
We’re living through one of the most challenging and defining decades for HR and People Leaders. From hybrid work and mental health, to AI disruption and talent scarcity, Chief People Officers are navigating pressure, pace, and purpose like never before. And many are doing it without a true inner circle to lean on. At LeadershipHQ, […]
(And What to Do About It)
There comes a point in your career where you begin to rise. You get results. You speak up. You shine. And sometimes, instead of being celebrated by your manager — you’re met with resistance, avoidance, or worse… sabotage. Let’s call it what it is: your boss might feel threatened by you. It’s uncomfortable. It’s confusing. […]
A Brave New Era for HR Leadership
We’re living through one of the most challenging and defining decades for HR and People Leaders. From hybrid work and mental health, to AI disruption and talent scarcity, Chief People Officers are navigating pressure, pace, and purpose like never before. And many are doing it without a true inner circle to lean on. At LeadershipHQ, […]
It’s What Leaders Tolerate
Over the past 30 years in the leadership space, I’ve seen it all. Incredible leaders are doing extraordinary things. Teams united by purpose, values, and trust. Cultures where people thrive, speak up, and feel seen. But I’ve also seen the other side — the part that still breaks my heart. The downs come when I […]
But the Best Leaders Actually Want to Drink
Let’s saddle up and get real for a second. Leadership isn’t just about looking good on LinkedIn, barking orders in boardrooms, or ticking off KPIs like they’re some kind of leadership bingo. It’s about growth. Development. Self-awareness. It’s about being humble enough to say, “I don’t know it all — and I want to learn.” […]