Melissa’s Memos

Senior leaders almost never lose authority all at once. They lose it in small phrases, repeated over months, that they don’t even know they’re saying. Five I’ve watched undermine smart, capable executives and what to swap them for. 1. “Sorry, can I just add something quickly?”Translation to the room: I’m not sure I deserve to…

There’s something I tell every senior leader in their first session with me. Almost word for word. I tell them: I’m not here to make you into someone different. I’m here to help you see yourself more accurately.Because here’s what I’ve learned in 20+ years of doing this work. Most of the senior leaders who…

Two senior leaders. Same industry. Same starting point ten years ago. One is now a SVP at a household-name company. Big title. Public profile. Speaking at conferences. The other is a VP at a less-known company. Quieter. Smaller team. Most people would tell you the first one has won the decade. Here’s what I’ve learned…

If you’re a senior leader having a hard quarter right now, this is for you.I’m not talking about the kind of “hard quarter” that ends up in your annual review as a growth moment. The actual kind. The one where the numbers are off, the team is tense, the executive above you is concerned, and…

Twenty-something years ago, someone gave me a piece of feedback I still think about every week.  Early in my career, a senior leader gave me a piece of feedback I’d like to give you. I was about five years into a talent acquisition role. Doing well, working hard, raising my hand for everything. I asked…