Celebrating Your Reader’s Choice Content of 2024
As is our tradition, we share your reader’s choice content of the year from our Let’s Grow Leaders blog, Leadership Without Losing Your Soul Podcast, and Asking for a Friend Video series.
Top 5 Reader’s Choice Articles of 2024
Your top picks focused on mastering clear communication, navigating emotional conversations, challenging unproductive mindsets, and fostering trust in the face of workplace challenges.
These themes reflect the daily realities of leadership—where empathy, clarity, and actionable strategies can transform even the toughest situations into opportunities for growth and connection.
1. No More Vague Reports: How to Give Useful Information (September 2024)
As is with many of our articles, we wrote this one in response to a frustrated CEO, asking to help us fix this problem with his team.
Why it clicked: Most employees were never taught the art of effective reporting and readouts. This practical article gives practical ways for executives to teach the art of better reporting to their team.
Key takeaway: You don’t have to suffer. If you want better information, create clarity and ask for exactly what you need.
2. Confidential Information: Balancing Transparency and Privacy (February 2024)
Why it clicked: Striking the right balance between being open and protecting sensitive details is a leadership tightrope act. This article unpacks how to manage confidential information with integrity and professionalism.
Key takeaway: Trust is built not only by what you share but by what you safeguard. Many of you loved the real-world examples of navigating tricky confidentiality dilemmas.
3. Beyond the Drama: How to De-Escalate an Emotional Conversation at Work (January 2024)
Why it clicked: Emotional conversations are unavoidable, but they don’t have to spiral into drama. You appreciated this article’s actionable tips to stay calm, build trust, and refocus on solutions.
Key takeaway: Combining empathy with clear next steps defuses tension and creates a path forward.
If you liked this article and you haven’t yet read our new book, Powerful Phrases for Dealing With Workplace Conflict, you can learn more and download the first few chapters here.
4. Why ‘Agree to Disagree’ Stinks (And What to Say Instead) (May 2024)
Why it clicked: We’ve all been in those conversations that end with “Let’s just agree to disagree.” This article challenges that common refrain, explaining how it can be a conversation killer. Instead, we offer alternatives to find common ground or, at the very least, mutual respect.
Key takeaway: Respectful disagreement is an art. Readers loved the practical scripts to keep the dialogue constructive instead of shutting it down.
5. Beyond Magical Thinking: How to Ensure Your Team ‘Gets It’ (August 2024)
Why it clicked: “Magical thinking” in the workplace—where leaders assume their team “should know”—causes frustration and inefficiency. We share strategies to align expectations, clarify goals, and ensure follow-through.
Key takeaway: Clear, upfront communication saves time and frustration. You found the tools in this piece helpful for getting your team rowing in the same direction.
Readers Choice Classic: How Do I Gain Respect When My Team Doesn’t Like Me? (August 2021)
Although this article wasn’t published this year, it remains a fan favorite! Tackling the deeply personal challenge of leading when team dynamics are rocky, we offer insights to help you rebuild trust, foster respect, and lead with authenticity.
Top Reader’s Choice Asking for Friend Video
Each week, Karin shares quick answers to your toughest leadership questions. To join the Asking for a Friend conversation, follow Karin on LinkedIn.
How to Reset Expectations When You’ve Been “Too Nice”
The Reader’s Choice Asking for a Friend was inspired by many frustrated managers who want to “be nice,” only to find that it’s not nice or productive to let people get away with destructive behaviors that are not serving them or their team.
Why it clicked: Many leaders face the discomfort of realizing they’ve tolerated destructive behaviors for too long, often in the name of keeping peace or being “nice.” This video struck a chord by providing practical, step-by-step guidance on how to reset boundaries and performance expectations.
Key takeaway: It’s never too late to teach others how to treat you. By owning past oversights, setting clear expectations, and fostering collaborative agreements, you can turn difficult situations into opportunities for growth and alignment.
Most Popular Leadership Without Losing Your Soul with David Dye
David’s Leadership Without Losing Your Soul Podcast listenership has grown exponentially over the last year. You can listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts.
The Reader’s Choice for David’s Leadership without Losing Your Soul Podcast is not a surprise. Participants in our human-centered leadership development programs consistently tell us this is one of the easiest, practical skills that makes the biggest impact.
One Critical Communication Skill Every Busy Leader Needs.
Why it clicked: Even seasoned leaders struggle with miscommunication, often leading to frustration and inefficiency. This episode resonated by providing a straightforward, transformative tool—checking for understanding—that helps eliminate communication gaps, ensuring alignment and productivity.
Key takeaway: Asking the right questions to verify understanding fosters clarity, accountability, and trust. Mastering this essential skill reduces rework, saves time, and strengthens leadership communication across all levels of your team.
Thank you for being part of our community this year.
As we look ahead to the new year, we’re excited to bring you even more practical strategies and leadership inspiration. What topics do you want us to tackle in 2025? We’d love to hear from you, drop us a note, or leave a comment.
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