Mike Robbins's Blog

We spend a lot of time at work. In meetings. On calls. In Slack threads and Zoom rooms. Solving problems. Managing expectations. Trying to perform. And yet… so many people feel like they can’t fully be themselves in those spaces. They hide parts of who they are. Fears, frustrations, feelings, because the workplace doesn’t always […]

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about presence. Not presence as in “being in the room,” but presence as in how we show up. Our energy. Our tone. Our intention. Because here’s the truth: People might hear what you say… …but they feel who you are. We’re always communicating, even when we’re not talking. You […]

As leaders, we’re often taught, explicitly or implicitly, that we’re supposed to know things. Know the strategy. Know the numbers. Know how to fix what’s broken. Know what to say when someone’s struggling. But here’s the thing I’ve learned (and continue to re-learn): Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about being willing to […]

We all have things we’re afraid to address. I call these “sweaty-palmed conversations.” They usually involve tough feedback, uncomfortable truths, boundaries to be set, disappointments we need to voice, conflicts we’re avoiding, elephants in the room to acknowledge, and more. And yet… so many of us put these discussions off. We tell ourselves, “Now’s not […]

When it comes to high-performing teams, authentic leadership, and strong relationships, trust isn’t a nice-to-have…it’s the foundation. But here’s something I’ve learned after more than two decades of working with leaders and teams around the world: Trust isn’t built all at once, it’s built in small amounts, over time. We sometimes think trust comes from […]

Showing up as our authentic selves is an important way to build more genuine connections with the people we live with, work with, and interact with in general. When we communicate openly, we feel empowered to share our genuine thoughts, feelings, and opinions with the people in our lives, even when we disagree. However, I’ve […]

Today’s world is full of uncertainty. Amidst the chaos and confusion, it’s easy to feel scared, angry, sad, and more. But how can we address these complicated feelings? How can we support ourselves—as well as the people around us—through times of change? If you’re looking to inspire and uplift others, it’s important to lead with […]

How often do you find yourself trying to impress others? Maybe you feel it at work. Maybe it happens when you’re with your friends and family. Maybe it strikes when you log into social media or show up to a class reunion. It’s that nagging feeling, that annoying voice in the back of your head—and […]

Do you appreciate the holidays? I’ll admit it—for me, appreciating this time of year is a whole lot easier said than done. In fact, if I’m being honest, I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with the holidays. On one hand, I love the parties, decorations, rituals, and gifts. On the other hand, I […]

The holiday season can be more than a little stressful. At this time of year, it’s easy to get caught up in the chaos of buying gifts, preparing travel plans, and getting ready for all sorts of parties and events. If money’s tight, there’s the added strain of choosing the right presents for all our […]