top of page

Hidden Gems Blog
Valuable secrets about how the workplace really works and research-based reflections on mentors, advisors, and learning.
Subscribe
Never Miss an Update!
Sign up for Hidden Gems updates & the quarterly RWL newsletter.


Building Trust When Stability Is Scarce
When things feel uncertain, people look for something steady. They want to trust the people around them and the company they work for. Your organization already gives them financial security. But do they trust you with their best ideas? Their honest feedback? Start by checking in with each person on your team genuinely. Ask questions like: How are you, really? What gives you energy? Beyond supporting yourself and your family, why do you work here? Then show them you heard the
rachel2134
5 days ago2 min read


When "Aggressive" Really Means "Accountable"
I didn’t expect my early October post to go viral . But 500 people around the world engaged with it. Twenty-five reposted it. What started as one client's story turned into a collective exhale from leaders who finally felt seen. A client held her team to deadlines and high standards. Most rose to meet them. A few didn't and called her "aggressive" for using the same approach her male peers applied without comment. Here's what I shared: When someone gave her feedback about her
rachel2134
Nov 16, 20252 min read


Trusting Your Gut: A Key Ingredient of Authentic Leadership
Have you ever been faced with a decision, where the data in front of you suggested an outcome that felt morally unsound? I’m not saying...
rachel2134
Apr 30, 20254 min read


Flexibility and Autonomy: Two Sides of the Same Coin
When a client, friend, or former colleague tells me that they want more flexibility in their work life, I typically ask, Why? It’s not...
rachel2134
Feb 25, 20254 min read


Real Women, Real Stories: The JEWEL Project's Collective Wisdom for Today’s Rising Leaders
My family laughs at me when a stranger volunteers intimate details of their personal story within seconds of our meeting. Inevitably,...
rachel2134
Jan 13, 20255 min read


Show Up, Stay True: The Predictable Brilliance of Consistent Leaders
Have you ever thought back to the managers who shaped your early career? Picture two contrasting figures: One who showed up every day...
rachel2134
Dec 18, 20243 min read


When Life Gives You Lemons (or Hands You an Anti-Mentor)
For every mentor or sponsor who champions a high-potential employee's promotion, there's an equally impactful and diametrically opposite...
rachel2134
Oct 17, 20244 min read


When the Mentee Becomes the Master: Lessons in Mentorship
My 50-ish year-old peers and I are experiencing a revelation: unlike how many of us viewed our parents at this age, we recognize that...
rachel2134
Sep 25, 20243 min read


A New Perspective on Summer Concerts and Collaborative Leadership
#NoahKahan’s Fenway Park performances... assembling great teams is similar to putting together headliner bands and collaborations.
rachel2134
Jul 21, 20242 min read


Summer: The Season for Energizing
We are rolling into summer, the season that we live for– when we can shed our layers of clothing, slow our pace, and enjoy a few extra...
rachel2134
Jun 16, 20243 min read
bottom of page
