High-Performing Teams Aren’t Built on Fluff — They’re Built on Standards
Let’s get one thing straight: hype doesn’t build teams. Fluff won’t fuel performance. And no, the occasional pizza party won’t create a sustainable culture. If you want a high-performing team? You need standards. Non-negotiable, unapologetic, and clearly communicated standards. Why Fluff Fails We’ve all seen it. Leaders who rely on motivational quotes, bean bags, and […]
The Best Companies Do This
(And You Should Too) You want to know what separates the good companies from the great ones? The ones people rave about on Glassdoor, tag on LinkedIn, and actually love working for? Spoiler alert: It’s not the ping-pong tables. It’s not the kombucha on tap. It’s not even the fancy titles or the beanbags in […]
The Worst Leaders Are These…
(And No, It’s Not You) Let’s set the stage clearly: If you’re here right now, reading these words, reflecting deeply, and choosing to remain open-minded, you’ve already positioned yourself far ahead of the most insidious kind of leader out there. So, who exactly are these undesirable leaders? They aren’t always the loud, overbearing figures, nor […]
My Boss Has the EQ of a Pea Brain
(And Here’s How I’m Dealing With It) Let’s just call it what it is: Some bosses have the emotional intelligence of a soggy sandwich. Or worse — a pea brain rattling around in a giant, clueless head. If you know, you know. You ask a simple question and get a condescending grunt. You bring a […]
We’ve Got a Problem
By Sonia McDonald | Speaker, Coach & CEO of LeadershipHQ Let’s not sugarcoat this: If you can’t clearly articulate your vision, mission, and values, then I’m calling it—you’re flying blind. You can have all the fancy strategy decks, KPIs, and buzzwords in the world, but if your people don’t know where you’re going, why it […]
And What It Taught Me About Leadership
There are leadership lessons you learn from books. And there are leadership lessons you learn from surviving a real-life walking, talking, chaos-generating sociopath. Guess which ones stick harder? Let me set the scene: Ever had that client or leader? You know — the one who could charm a room and burn it to the ground […]
The Wrong Advice Can Cost You More Than Money
Real Talk: What I’ve Learned After 17 Years of Building a Business That Lasts Let’s get one thing straight — I’ve spent nearly two decades building leaders and businesses that actually work.We’ve coached thousands. We created amazing 100’s of teams and organisations. I’ve also made many mistakes, some of which were caused by bad advice […]
🎉 Happy 17th Birthday, LeadershipHQ! 🎉
A Journey of Courage, Growth, and Unstoppable Leadership Seventeen years ago, I had a vision. I wasn’t just starting a business — I was starting a movement. A movement that would transform how we lead. A movement rooted in courage, kindness, authenticity, and real human impact. A movement that would empower others to rise — […]
How to Deal With a Subpar Executive Leader
So you’ve got an executive leader who’s not exactly killing it. Before this bad apple starts spoiling the whole bunch, it’s time to get real and take action. Here’s how to handle a subpar exec with flair and ensure your leadership lineup is nothing short of legendary: Spot the Trouble: Zero in on exactly what’s […]
Sorry Not Sorry: Unpacking the Apology Gap in Leadership
Why Do We Even Apologise? Let’s face it, the art of the apology in the workplace isn’t just about manners; it’s a subtle dance of power, empathy, and sometimes, strategy. But here’s the kicker: not everyone is dancing to the same tune, especially when it comes to gender. Yes, I’m diving into the murky waters […]