By James R. Rector, Founder & Publisher, Profiles in Leadership Journal Joy Is a Leadership Competency Forget the notion that joy at work is a “perk”, like casual Fridays or free donuts. Neuroscience, organizational psychology, and medical research now prove what some leaders have known all along: joy drives performance. The Joyful Leader Award celebrates… Read the full article

By James Rector, Publisher Profiles in Leadership Journal Why Strength Begins with Something Soft It’s not a word you hear much in leadership seminars: Goodness. We hear about grit, performance, execution. But goodness? That sounds more like something for Sunday school than the boardroom. And yet, it’s the one quality that every lasting leader seems… Read the full article

By James Rector, Publisher Profiles in Leadership Journal Why the Best Leaders Don’t Interrupt, They Interpret Not all leaders speak first. Some don’t speak much at all. Instead, they do something rarer and harder: they listen well. And in a time of distractions, agendas, and constant noise, this quiet skill might just be leadership’s highest… Read the full article

By James Rector, Publisher Profiles in Leadership Journal Why Strategic Surrender is a Mark of Wisdom, Not Weakness “Cut your losses.” It’s a phrase we hear in boardrooms, kitchens, and poker games alike. But in leadership, knowing when to let go may be one of the most undervalued skills. Leaders are taught to persist. Stick… Read the full article

By James Rector, Publisher Profiles in Leadership Journal What’s Broken Is Older Than We Think Ever wonder why people with good intentions still end up misunderstanding each other? It’s not new. The Tower of Babel story, tucked into Genesis, describes humanity’s first collective project. One language, one people, one voice. Until, boom, God “confused their… Read the full article

By Wema Hoover There are moments in history when a nation must pause—not just to commemorate, but to celebrate achievements, amplify the voices that advance progress, and chart a new course forward. As we observe National Black Business Month this August, celebrating the extraordinary economic contributions of Black entrepreneurs and business leaders, we’re reminded of… Read the full article

By James Rector, Publisher Profiles in Leadership Journal Strong leaders don’t just know what to say. They know when the climate calls for silence, speed, or stillness. The best leaders don’t impose their voice on the room. They listen to it first. They assess the energy, the risk, the readiness. And only then do they… Read the full article

By James Rector, Publisher Profiles in Leadership Journal Great change doesn’t happen at the extremes, it happens when a leader moves the movable middle. The loudest voices are often at the edges, either defending the past or demanding the future. But the true leader is the one who quietly engages the uncertain middle. These are… Read the full article

By James Rector, Publisher Profiles in Leadership Journal Why Influence Isn’t Reserved for the Top Seat Not every leader sits in the corner office. In fact, some of the most influential leaders operate just outside the spotlight, from the second chair. These are the COOs, deputies, vice presidents, chiefs of staff, and team leads who… Read the full article

By Profiles in Leadership Journal In 2011, Profiles in Diversity Journal selected Mary Barra as a Woman Worth Watching®—recognizing her early leadership at General Motors. https://womenworthwatching.com/mary-barra/ Today, as Fortune Magazine names her the #1 Most Powerful Woman in Business for the second year running, we join in celebrating a leader whose impact continues to grow.… Read the full article