THE ONE THING

1. The "Conscious Unbossing" Crisis: Why 40% of Leaders Want Out

Here's a wake-up call: 40% of stressed-out leaders have considered leaving their leadership roles to improve their well-being, according to DDI's Global Leadership Forecast 2025.

This isn't just about burnout. It's about "conscious unbossing,” or the deliberate rejection of traditional management roles.

Gen Z is leading this trend, choosing autonomy over corner offices. Meanwhile, trust in managers has plummeted from 46% in 2022 to just 29% in 2024.

The takeaway

Leadership is becoming less attractive because it's becoming harder. Focus on making the leadership roles of your subordinates sustainable, not just prestigious.

TACTICAL PHRASES

2. Three Phrases That Build Trust (When Everyone's Skeptical)

With manager trust decreasing, your words matter more than ever.

Try these trust-building phrases:

• "I don't have all the answers, but here's what I'm thinking..."

• "Help me understand your perspective on this."

• "I was wrong about that, and here's what I learned."

The takeaway

Vulnerability builds trust faster than authority ever will.

FREE WEBINAR

3. AI Leadership without Anxiety: I’m Speaking Live on July 9, 2025

On July 9, 2025, I’m presenting live on a free Udemy webinar about how to lead your team's career growth in the age of AI.

Over 3,000 people have signed up to this event so far and it’s open to the public.

We’ll cover questions such as:

• How will AI affect my employees?

• How can I be prepared for AI upskilling & reskilling?

• How do I effectively reframe the conversation around AI with my employees?

Click here to register for free to the AI webinar on July 9, 2025 

INTERESTING PERSPECTIVES

4. Zuckerberg on Delegation

Mark Zuckerberg said a few weeks ago that he doesn’t believe in delegation. I’m not sure I fully agree with his take but it’s an interesting perspective.

Click here to listen to a short 1-minute video about his thoughts.

THE 80/20

5. An 80/20 Tip You Can Apply Today

Here’s a low-effort, high-impact tip you can use with your team today:

• What: Ask one direct report this week: "What's one thing I could do differently to support you better?"

• Why: High-potential employees are 3x more likely to leave if they feel overlooked. This simple question shows you care and gives you actionable intelligence about your leadership effectiveness.

• Example: Schedule a 15-minute coffee chat (not a formal meeting) and ask the question early in the conversation. Then listen without defending or explaining. End with: "Thanks for trusting me with that feedback."