Firing someone will never be easy — but it doesn’t have to be messy, confusing, or demeaning. As a leader, how you handle a termination says as much about you as it does about the person leaving. Done poorly, it damages trust across the team. Done well, it preserves dignity, clarity, and respect. In this episode of Leadership, Actually, we walk through how to prepare, what to say, and how to follow through when you need to let someone go. You’ll learn: Why preparation and process matter (and ...
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Firing someone will never be easy — but it doesn’t have to be messy, confusing, or demeaning. As a leader, how you handle a termination says as much about you as it does about the person leaving. Done poorly, it damages trust across the team. Done well, it preserves dignity, clarity, and respect. In this episode of Leadership, Actually, we walk through how to prepare, what to say, and how to follow through when you need to let someone go. You’ll learn: Why preparation and process matter (and ...
Firing someone will never be easy — but it doesn’t have to be messy, confusing, or demeaning. As a leader, how you handle a termination says as much about you as it does about the person leaving. Done poorly, it damages trust across the team. Done well, it preserves dignity, clarity, and respect. In this episode of Leadership, Actually, we walk through how to prepare, what to say, and how to follow through when you need to let someone go. You’ll learn: Why preparation and process matter (and ...
Most team meetings are a waste of time. Too much status reporting, not enough substance. But when done right, meetings are one of the most powerful tools a leader has — a chance to align priorities, clear obstacles, and fuel momentum. In this episode of Leadership, Actually, we break down the five topics that make team meetings matter. You’ll learn how to: Refocus your team on what actually matters this week or quarterUse meetings to clear bottlenecks instead of creating more noiseCelebrate p...
One of the hardest conversations for any leader: telling a motivated employee they’re not ready for a promotion. Done poorly, it kills motivation. Done well, it creates clarity, direction, and trust. In this episode of Leadership, Actually, we break down how to handle this conversation step by step — from understanding your company’s promotion process, to giving clear and actionable feedback, to mapping out a development plan that keeps ambition alive. You’ll learn how to: Explain...
Resentment is one of leadership’s hidden emotions — and most managers feel it at some point. The key isn’t to pretend it isn’t there. The key is to use it as a signal. In this episode of Leadership, Actually, we explore: Why resentment shows up in management rolesThe three root causes: unclear expectations, unbalanced effort, and unspoken boundariesThe harm resentment creates when it lingers unaddressedPractical ways to reset expectations, redistribute effort, and set boundariesHow to treat r...
Most leaders think boundaries are rules you hand down to other people. But in reality, boundaries aren’t about controlling others — they’re about creating clarity for yourself. They protect your time, your access, and your energy, so you can lead with steadiness instead of depletion. In this episode of Leadership, Actually, we explore: The biggest misconceptions about boundaries in leadershipWhy boundaries aren’t rigid walls, but flexible tools for clarityThe cost of leading without boundarie...
Overthinking feels like diligence, but it’s actually a leadership trap. The more you loop on a decision, the more energy you drain, momentum you lose, and confidence you erode — in yourself and in your team. In this episode of Leadership, Actually, we break down what overthinking really is, why it’s harmful, and how to stop it. You’ll learn three simple shifts to cut through analysis paralysis, move forward with clarity, and reclaim your mental energy for the leadership work that matters most...
Most leaders don’t show up fresh to each meeting — they carry the last one with them. The tension, the frustration, the distraction. And before long, their team isn’t just getting them — they’re getting the leftovers of the meeting before. In this short guided episode of Leadership, Actually, you’ll learn a powerful reset practice you can use in just a few minutes to clear the slate and step in fresh. The reset includes: A physical shake to release tension from your bodyAn audible release (ye...
Leadership presence isn’t about charisma — it’s about how you show up in the room. Calm. Grounded. Clear. But when you’re running back-to-back meetings or heading into a tough conversation, it’s easy to lose that presence and slip into reactivity. In this short guided episode of Leadership, Actually, you’ll learn a simple visualization you can use anytime to reset and step back into your leadership presence. You’ll discover: How to ground yourself physically and mentally before a high-stakes ...
When layoffs happen, leaders often ask: what does outplacement actually include — and is it worth it? In this episode of Leadership, Actually, we break down what traditional outplacement services usually offer — from resumes and LinkedIn support to interview prep and career counseling — and why those programs often fall short. We’ll also share how Everground has reimagined outplacement with multiple tracks, including our Next Phase Navigator, group programs for teams, and executive transition...
Most employees don’t hate the idea of 1:1s — they hate that most of them are a waste of time. Too often, these meetings turn into status updates, manager monologues, or calendar blocks that get cancelled half the time. In this episode of Leadership, Actually, we break down why 1:1s so often fall flat, and how to make them meetings your team actually values. You’ll learn: The biggest mistakes managers make with 1:1sA simple structure that makes them productive and people-centeredThree question...
Founders pour everything into building their companies — but often forget to protect themselves. Boards can replace you. Investors can pressure you out. Acquisitions can shift your role overnight. In this episode of Leadership, Actually, we cover what every founder should have in place before conflict or transition happens: Why you need a separation agreement upfront (not when it’s too late)How severance protects your financial runway and stabilityThe difference between single- and double-tri...
“Hire slow, fire fast” — it’s a phrase every leader has heard, but few know how to practice well. In this episode of Leadership, Actually, we unpack the real meaning behind the mantra: Why rushing a hire creates long-term headaches (and how to slow down without stalling growth)The hidden costs of delaying a tough firing decision — to performance, culture, and your credibilityPractical steps to hire with intention and exit with clarity and humanityThis isn’t about being ruthless. It’s ab...
What exactly is outplacement — and why does it matter? In this episode of Leadership, Actually, we break down what outplacement really means, how it supports employees during layoffs, and why it’s just as important for companies as it is for the people leaving. You’ll hear why providing career transition support protects your employer brand, eases the impact on your remaining team, and helps leaders navigate tough exits with dignity. We’ll also share how, at Everground, we’ve built Next Phase...
Every leader messes up. You’ll overpromise. You’ll micromanage. You’ll shut down the wrong idea at the wrong time. The real question isn’t if you’ll make a mistake — it’s how you recover. In this episode of Leadership, Actually, we talk about bouncing back without losing trust, credibility, or your sense of humor. You’ll hear: A simple 3-step framework to recover quickly (own it, name the impact, reset)Real-world scripts for when you overcommit, micromanage, or say the wrong thing in the room...
Not everyone dreams of running 1:1s, giving feedback, or mediating team drama — and that’s perfectly okay. In this episode of Leadership, Actually, we unpack why management isn’t the only path to leadership, how organizations get it wrong by forcing high performers into people-management roles, and what it really means to grow without a team reporting to you. You’ll hear: Why leadership ≠ management (and the big difference between the two)Real-world examples of “reluctant managers” vs. “natur...
Few leadership moments test you more than a layoff. It’s not just an HR process — it’s a human moment with real impact on people’s lives, your team’s trust, and your company’s culture. Handle it poorly, and the damage lingers for years. Handle it well, and you create clarity, dignity, and the foundation for rebuilding. In this episode of Leadership, Actually, we explore what it takes to navigate layoffs with humanity and professionalism. From how you communicate, to the tone you set, to the s...
Episode Summary Most leaders avoid giving feedback because it feels uncomfortable. But the cost of not giving it is far higher: underperformance, confusion, and team drift. In this episode of Leadership, Actually, we explore simple, practical ways to give feedback that’s clear, constructive, and grounded in partnership — not policing. You’ll learn two reliable frameworks to structure your feedback conversations, plus examples of what to say (and what not to say) when it matters most. Whether ...
Delegation is one of the most powerful leadership skills — and also one of the most misunderstood. Too often, leaders swing between two extremes: micromanaging every detail or checking out entirely. Both approaches create frustration, slow progress, and erode trust. In this episode of Leadership, Actually, we’ll explore how to delegate in a way that gives your team clarity and ownership — without hovering or hand-holding. You’ll learn how to set expectations, create the right guardrails, and ...
Firing someone will never be easy — but it doesn’t have to be messy, confusing, or demeaning. As a leader, how you handle a termination says as much about you as it does about the person leaving. Done poorly, it damages trust across the team. Done well, it preserves dignity, clarity, and respect. In this episode of Leadership, Actually, we walk through how to prepare, what to say, and how to follow through when you need to let someone go. You’ll learn: Why preparation and process matter (and ...
