Joan Johnston

You might feel assured when your proposals are approved without objections, suggestions, or concerns. A client may also be more agreeable than ever without any discussion. But sometimes, the harmony and peace can signal reduced emotional investment. They don’t engage anymore because they've stopped caring enough to question, challenge, or contribute, to the point where people feel it's worthless to voice their thoughts. Withdrawing emotional engagement costs an organisation m

Leadership isn’t about having the loudest voice in the room; sometimes it is about staying calm under pressure when everyone expects a reaction. Imagine a meeting where a client raises their voice and the room goes silent. That can easily become a tense moment, but a leader’s response sets the tone of the conversation. A defensive response can quickly escalate, but a solution-focused approach maintains professionalism without being submissive. This is known as emotional regul

Picture two managers leading their teams at a major client pitch, the kind that could define the year. One runs the meeting like a checklist, hits every talking point, and moves on the moment the client leaves the room. The other notices that the team is exhausted from pulling the all-nighter and pauses to genuinely thank them, and asks how they are actually doing before discussing what comes next. Both attended the same leadership development program. Only one of them was ac

There is a question I have seen leaders wrestle with throughout my career: How do I support my people while still holding them accountable? It is an important question, but I believe there is a problem hidden within it. It assumes that empathy and accountability are somehow competing ideas, and that being more understanding must mean expecting less from people. After more than 50 years in public service, including 25 years in leadership roles, my experience has taught me almo