Stephen Tang 
Layoffs and downsizing continue to impact industries that value entrepreneurial-minded employees, such as technology and life sciences. This is precarious because the employer-employee relationship was changing significantly before the pandemic and has been stretched to the limit since then. Gone are the days of guaranteed long-term employment and an environment where every employee acts as … Read more
Too often we think of history as disposable and irrelevant. But Mark Twain knew better: “History never repeats itself, but it does often rhyme.” What he meant is that the more we pay attention to patterns, similarities, and trends from our past experiences, the more equipped we will be to make wise decisions for our … Read more
At the ceremony commemorating the move of the Bray House in Williamsburg, Virginia to its new Colonial Williamsburg site on February 10th, 2023, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin declared that “we must teach all of our history, all of it, the good and the bad.” It was a heartening sentiment for many there who had come … Read more
In his highly acclaimed 2021 book, Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know, Adam Grant implores leaders to think and act like scientists searching for truth. I’ll illustrate that approach through the concept of “perturbation theory” which is used by truth-seekers in science, math, and engineering, and apply it to crisis leadership. At … Read more
Leadership is not only a matter of showing up—it’s about being present and demonstrating that you care for your people. That’s why it’s so important for leaders to be on the frontlines when there is a moment of crisis. By being visible and listening intently to those affected, leaders can build rapport and trust with … Read more
When the pandemic hit us in March 2020, it felt like the world was freefalling. The Dow Jones had been flirting with an all-time high just days before, and suddenly millions of people were unemployed, iconic firms begged for bailouts and small businesses everywhere trembled in fear. In this time of crisis, CEOs were called … Read more
Maintaining a beginner’s mind helps us stay open to learning and growing throughout our lives. It gives us the humility to embrace knowledge gaps, as well as the confidence to take on new challenges that come our way. By practicing this kind of mindset, we can recognize opportunities for growth that would otherwise go unnoticed … Read more
The coronavirus pandemic has brought about a surge of innovation in many industries, as companies rapidly adapted and responded to the changes brought by the virus. From healthcare systems responding to the influx of patients to online retailers finding new ways to reach customers, creativity, and resilience have been key for staying afloat during these … Read more
Developing strong listening skills requires paying close attention to verbal cues, tonality, and nonverbal body language. Sensemaking involves considering all parts of the conversation within one’s own context—asking questions for clarification when necessary—and being open to alternative perspectives. These skills have always enabled better decision-making in an increasingly complex world. But have we yet defined … Read more
The world has been shaken and changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As we move forward, what are the lessons learned from this generational crisis? Here’s my take: Leaders need to possess the necessary skills to adapt and succeed in this post-pandemic world. As I researched and wrote “A Test of Our Time: Crisis Leadership … Read more