top of page
Blog with Linnea
LEADERSHIP INSIGHTS THAT ACTUALLY WORK
Real Talk About the Challenges You're Facing
Every week, I share practical leadership insights for the real challenges you're dealing with, at work and in life. No fluff. No theory. Just honest, actionable wisdom from someone who's been there.
Whether you're a new supervisor navigating your first difficult conversation, a mid-level manager building your team, or a seasoned executive shaping culture, you'll find insights here that help you lead better.
Why Tone Matters More Than Words in Communication
We watched the whole thing unfold. Let's be honest, watching is a generous word. It was closer to staring.
From the back of the boat, someone called out, “We must be something to watch.” I called back, “You really are!”
What I missed in that moment was tone. A second after I said it, I caught myself and asked someone else who was clearly watching whether I'd misread the situation. I had. Her body language said it all. She was not enjoying being the center of attention.
linnearader
4 days ago4 min read
Share the Why and How, Not Just the Order
I've been at the Road Commission for 21 years. That's a long time. Not the longest tenure in the room, but long enough that my brain is basically a filing cabinet of random history, processes, institutional knowledge, and details that most people don't even know to ask about.
I remember looking at the long-timers when I first started and thinking...how do they know all of that? Will I ever get there? Well, I sure don't know everything. But I've gotten there in a lot of ways.
linnearader
Jul 15 min read
How to Build Others Up (Without Needing to Knock Anyone Down)
The result? They look like a diamond. Their coworker looks like a chunk of coal. And nobody actually did anything different. One person just decided their shine required someone else's shadow.
Here's what I know about people who build others up. They are magnetic. People want to be around them. People want to work for them and with them. They create environments where everyone does better, because when one person wins and it feels safe to celebrate, the whole team gets more
linnearader
Jun 245 min read
Start with You: My First Leadership Journal Is Here and Pre-Orders Are Open
I have spent a lot of time in rooms with leaders. New ones, seasoned ones, reluctant ones, and ambitious ones. And one thing I see over and over again is this: most leaders are so busy leading that they never stop to ask themselves the most important question of all.
Who am I as a leader right now?
Not who they want to be. Not who their organization needs them to be. Who they actually are today, with all the strengths and blind spots and unfinished edges that come with bein
linnearader
Jun 174 min read
What 118 Applicants Taught Me About Interviews (From Both Sides of the Table)
Last week I interviewed 19 people for the same position. One hundred and eighteen people applied. Getting from 118 to a manageable interview list took time, focus, and more than a few passes through a whole lot of resumes.
It got me thinking. About the process. About what makes someone stand out. About what hiring managers are really looking for and what applicants often miss. So whether you are on the applying side or the hiring side, this one is for you.
linnearader
Jun 105 min read
Cross-Training Your Team: How to Build Resilience Before You Actually Need It
So that’s what this post is. The actual how. What job shadowing looks like when it works, how to cross-train without overwhelming your team, and how to stop wasting your vacation coverage opportunities. Let’s get into it.
And yes, I know all of this. I’ve written it right here. That does not mean I do it perfectly or consistently. I am a work in progress too, and that is completely okay. I share this stuff because I believe in it, not because I have it all figured out.
linnearader
Jun 36 min read
Why We Forget Most of What We Learn (and How to Fix It)
Here is the statistic that knocked me over.
Right after a training class, employees apply about 62% of what they just learned. Six months later, that number drops to 44%. After one full year, only 34% is still in use.
WHAT?! I am sorry, but that one shook me. Companies invest in training. Schools build entire curriculums. Parents pay for tutors and camps and music lessons. Coaches design programs. And after a year, only about a third of it is still showing up in behavior?
linnearader
May 276 min read
How to Stay Organized at Work (When You're Pretty Sure You'll Never Be Caught Up)
I gave a presentation last week on how to stay organized at work, and right at the start I told the audience to brace themselves. Because here's the thing. If I'm up there talking about how to be organized, you might assume one of two things. Either I'm wildly, terrifyingly organized, or I'm a total imposter standing behind a podium pretending I know what I'm doing.
Spoiler alert. It's option C. I'm not perfect, and I totally own it. And I told that audience exactly what I'm
linnearader
May 206 min read
bottom of page