In my experience working with leaders and teams across various industries—including healthcare and rehabilitation—I’ve noticed a persistent challenge: many teams struggle with conflict. Despite the best intentions, conflict is often avoided or swept under the rug. But here’s the truth: conflict itself isn’t the problem. Avoiding it is.When teams dismiss or suppress conflict, trust can’t fully develop. Real connection and honest collaboration remain out of reach. The difficult conversations we shy away from are often the ones that matter most.What I’ve observed is a common pattern in team development. Early on, team members tend to be polite and cautious—conflict is low, but so is authenticity. As relationships deepen, differences and tensions emerge. This phase can be uncomfortable but is essential. Teams that engage conflict constructively move toward alignment, stronger trust, and higher performance.This pattern aligns with Bruce Tuckman’s classic model of group development—Forming, Storming, Norming, and Performing. While I’m not an academic, this framework helped me put words to what I saw happening in real teams:Forming: A phase marked by politeness and guardedness as team members get to know one another.Storming: Conflict surfaces as roles, expectations, and working styles clash—messy but necessary.Norming: The team finds shared norms, resolving differences and building trust.Performing: High-functioning collaboration where conflict is a tool for innovation.Dr. M. Scott Peck’s stages of authentic community further deepen this understanding. His work describes how groups move from surface-level harmony through honest confrontation and vulnerability to form true connection and community.In any fast-paced, high-pressure environment—healthcare included—there’s a temptation to keep the peace at all costs. But suppressing conflict often leads to unresolved issues and eroded trust. Teams that learn to embrace and navigate conflict build resilience, foster innovation, and sustain stronger relationships.This is ongoing work. Even with frameworks and experience, I still see teams—and myself—resist the discomfort. But conflict is not a problem to be fixed; it’s a process to be embraced.False harmony—suppressing disagreement to keep the peace—may seem easier in the moment but ultimately breeds resentment, passive-aggressiveness, and even adult tantrums. It erodes trust and engagement over time.Start small: invite a quiet team member to share their perspective, or simply name the tension in the room instead of ignoring it. These simple steps show that conflict is a natural and necessary part of collaboration.If your team is facing tension, don’t rush to smooth it over. Lean into it. Because growth often happens in the storm.

Thanksgiving is a special time to pause and appreciate what we have — friends, family, good food, and the little moments that matter. While it’s a big deal in the U.S. and Canada, the idea of giving thanks isn’t unique to North America. People all over the world celebrate gratitude in their own unique ways, and there’s a lot we can learn from these traditions.

There’s something deeply transformative about arriving at a season in life where your peace is no longer negotiable.

As we prepare to step into a new year, many leaders are focused on setting goals, launching initiatives, and driving performance. But before diving into strategy, it’s worth asking: What kind of culture are we creating—and will our people want to grow in it? Employee engagement isn’t just about year-end surveys or Q1 performance plans. It’s about the everyday experiences that shape how people feel about their work, their team, and their future.

As Halloween approaches, it’s the perfect time to blend a little seasonal fun into your professional world. While the rest of the office plans costumes and candy bowls, admin professionals can use this time to reflect on how to turn everyday challenges into opportunities with a creative twist. Whether you're managing a packed calendar, coordinating events, or keeping the office running smoothly, here’s how to draw inspiration from Halloween while staying focused, productive, and motivated.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month—a time to honor survivors, support those in treatment, remember loved ones we've lost, and raise awareness about the many layers of this journey. But beyond the pink ribbons and powerful stories of survival, there are also lesser-known side effects that deserve the spotlight. One of them? Chemo brain.

In 2007, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. That moment marked the beginning of a journey that changed my life — one of fear, strength, healing, and ultimately, triumph.

It’s that time of year again—spooktacular season is upon us!  As the leaves fall and sweaters come out, I’m fully embracing the cozy vibes that autumn brings.