Mistakes happen.

Sometimes they teach us invaluable lessons, and other times, they leave us muttering, "Well, that was an expensive lesson."

When it comes to AI, the cost of an "UH-OH" moment can be measured in lost time, wasted resources, or even damaged trust.

But what if we flipped the script? What if mistakes, our own or others', became our greatest mentors?

Allow mistakes to be your mentor.

I can't even begin to imagine all the ways AI will revolutionize our planet.

Maybe you currently think of AI as a way to write copy, create Excel formulas, or generate a bit of code. That would be correct.

But it's already helping predict the path of hurricanes, detect cancer that the human eye can't see, and forecast crop yields based on soil conditions and weather patterns.

If you continuously think of AI as an evasive technology coming for your job, you will miss all the great things it's currently doing. Think of it as a tool amplifying human potential.

Rather than fear it, master it. Learn to leverage its power. Ben-Jamin Toy and I worked alongside Darrel Bruce, inventor and AI Expert who helped us build the first AI-powered book bot.

AI is here to stay.

There's no going back to the way things were before.

Each and everyday artificial intelligence gets better, faster, and more integrated into our daily work and lives.

It's no longer a question of if AI will impact your organization... it already has.

Rather than fighting against this technological progress, change the thinking in your organization to how can we use AI to improve processes, make employees' lives easier, and enhance productivity across departments.

Leaders who embrace AI as a tool rather than a threat will find themselves at a competitive advantage. It’s time to shift the mindset from resistance to curiosity, from fear to strategic adaptation.

COHESION MATTERS MORE THAN EVER!

This year marks a historic milestone... For the first time ever, six generations share the workplace. Elder Generation Alphas, born in 2010, turn 15 this year and are joining the workforce as interns and entry-level employees.

Business leaders and HR professionals face the challenge of ensuring all generations feel like they belong in today's workplace.

Making connections is part of the normal human experience.

It helps us make sense of the world and navigate our relationships within it. Workplace culture, for example, is often reflected in how organizations celebrate work anniversaries, special recognitions, promotions, retirements, or other life events.

I often say that belonging comes in the form of a party invitation, but inclusion happens when the host greets you, introduces you to others, and invites you to dance.

As the year winds down and the holiday season is in full swing, many employees face a mix of emotions in the workplace. Some might feel a sense of joy and celebration, while others may struggle with grief or stress. This time of year can leave teams checked out, distracted, or simply exhausted. Yet, it also presents a unique opportunity for leaders to inspire action, create connection, and begin laying the groundwork for 2025.

According to the Institute for Corporate Productivity, around 62% of organizations report a noticeable drop in productivity during the holiday season, indicating a substantial dip in work output during the final stretch of the year.

How can leaders ensure this season isn't a lull, but a springboard for aspiration and achievement?

As we approach the final months of the year, Cohesive Leaders know that productivity doesn't end with the holiday season on the horizon. Rather than viewing these months as a time to slow down, effective leaders leverage this period to strengthen their teams and maintain momentum.

I'm not making a case for working so hard you can't enjoy the holidays. This is certainly a time for family, thankfulness, and holiday spirit. However, for leaders, it's an opportunity to finish the year strong by aligning with team goals, keeping the energy high, and setting the stage for a successful new year.

How we end this year can significantly impact how we begin the next.

The costumes are ready. The candy's been purchased. That can only mean one thing...

Halloween is tomorrow!

Halloween is a holiday where we embrace costumes and disguises, letting us step into roles we wouldn't usually play. You can dress up as something terrifying and grisly, wear a fun couple's costume, or find your perfect pairing by wearing something niche and seeing who gets it.

However, in the workplace, disguises, especially the ones we wear as leaders, can get in the way of genuine connection. When leaders mask who they truly are, it can stunt their growth and prevent them from building authentic, trusting relationships with their teams.

While it's natural to put on a professional face, hiding behind a "MASK" can create barriers to open communication and erode team trust. Let's look at what it means to MASK in leadership, why it's important to remove the MASK in the office, and how leaders can embody authenticity without losing professional presence.