Ever wondered about the secret to genuine employee engagement? 'Unveiling the Secret Sauce: Cultivating Employee Engagement with Caring as the Recipe' breaks it down. Explore practical insights that demystify the path to fostering a workplace where genuine care fuels success. This isn't just an article; it's your guide to transforming workplace culture.

Few situations in life hit you hard and give you a bit of a reality check. In the wake of the upheavals brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, my recent observations have underscored a fundamental truth: people are the linchpin in the complex equation of success. Now, 3+ years later, as we navigate the new normal, the resilience, creativity, and adaptability of individuals have emerged as the driving force. Here are a few valuable lessons learned during these challenging times, emphasizing that, more than ever, it's the human spirit that not only endures but propels us toward innovation and growth.

Here's a thought...in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the modern business world, there's a fundamental, human element that anchors the entire equation: trust. This trust forms the equilibrium between employees and the companies they work for, and between customers and the companies they choose to engage with. It's the invisible thread that weaves the human touch into business relationships, fostering an atmosphere where collaboration and progress can thrive. Inspired by Stephen M. R. Covey , this article unpacks how trust underpins the synergy between employees and companies and the loyalty between customers and their chosen service providers, ultimately shaping the very essence of business success.

It's easy to overlook the critical role played by dedicated individuals who keep our customers satisfied and our operations running seamlessly in the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of business, where technology often takes center stage. National Customer Service Week (NCSW) serves as a vital reminder that exceptional customer service is not a solitary effort but a collective endeavor involving every department, including your IT team. Beyond the immediate benefits of providing excellent customer service, NCSW is an opportunity to foster a culture of recognition, celebration, and engagement within your organization. It's a week dedicated to acknowledging the tireless efforts of those who consistently go the extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction, and it underscores the fact that exceptional customer service is a shared responsibility. There's tangible significance to leveraging NCSW as a catalyst to instill a culture of appreciation and engagement, both essential for sustained success in today's competitive business landscape. I've celebrated this unique week with several teams over the last 2 decades, and found it to be part of the secret sauce to increasing engagement and a sense of purpose.

In a world where diversity reigns, each individual, much like plants, possesses distinct needs. Although there are fundamental requirements outlined by Maslow's hierarchy, such as food, water, and shelter, a deeper layer of considerations exists.

Now more than ever, servant leadership is crucial for navigating the complexities and challenges of the contemporary world. As organizations prioritize agility, adaptability, and employee engagement, servant leadership has proven to be an effective approach to talent development and retention. Moreover, in times of uncertainty, servant leaders provide stability and reassurance, fostering trust and psychological safety among their team members. In this quick read, I unpack what servant leadership really is, the traits of a servant leader, and the activities performed by one. In the end, I leave you with the big WHY we truly need it. Enjoy!

“In today's rapidly advancing world, the full potential of technology remains within reach, thanks to the extraordinary efforts of tech leaders. One such remarkable figure is Nora Osman, a tech leader who has been instrumental in unlocking the full potential of technology and inspiring positive change. With a unique combination of expertise, passion, and a relentless drive for excellence, Nora has carved a remarkable path in the ever-evolving landscape of technology. In this blog, we will uncover the invaluable insights and lessons Nora has to offer and explore the milestones, challenges, and triumphs that have shaped her into the exceptional tech leader she is today.”

It took me some time to let the amazing advice of 10 C-Suite executives marinate in my head, and eventually get summarized for a capstone project for the Managing Career Growth course as part of the Wharton Global CXO course work. Since I thoroughly enjoyed the assignment, I've decided to share some of the key lessons and themes from these interviews. This is a bit on the long side, as I had to weave a little more context from 10 vastly different individuals, without revealing their identities. Do hope you enjoy it, as I truly did,. I'll treasure all the pearls of wisdom gathered from my time with each of these leaders.

Executive presence is a highly coveted skill that is essential for today’s professionals, especially those in leadership positions. But what exactly is executive presence, and how do you cultivate it? In simple terms, executive presence refers to the ability to convey confidence, credibility, and authority, which enables individuals to influence and lead effectively. It encompasses a range of traits, and the good news, it is something that can actually be developed. In this article, I’ll provide you with some practical tips to help you build your own executive presence, regardless of your current position or industry. Whether you’re a seasoned manager or just starting in your career, this guide will help you master the art of executive presence, and achieve greater success in your professional life...

Join Nora Osman and Emily Carlson, LPW Project Manager/IT Executive for this spirited discussion on the positive impact technology can have on our local communities, and explore how we can reach for more equity for women in the technology sector.

Honored to have been featured in Insights Success Magazine for "The Most Inspirational Women Leaders in Business to Look Out for in 2023" among 3 other women- Kate Dobrucki, Dr Kara Hartl, and Naz Schinder! The interviews were beautifully conducted and tease out the uniqueness of every honoree. Proud to be sharing the stage with such amazing women!

It used to be that everyone wanted good customer service and a great customer experience. More recently, companies have woken up and realized that they need to have happy employees to deliver good customer service. Customer experience encapsulates everything the customer is experiencing around a transaction, from initiation to post-consumption of the service/experience. But have we begun measuring the employee experience the same way? I wonder.

Managers and leaders have a huge obligation to their people and the organizations they serve. At the crux of managing and leading effectively is good communication. But how do we achieve this? It's not just hearing our staff in meetings, it's actually listening in a way that they feel listened to. Here are a few simple suggestions on how to ensure you're positioning yourself to actively listen, so your staff, colleagues and even boss feel heard and you continue to increase in effectiveness. After all, listening is foundational to understanding and building trust!

Time, It's one of our most valuable assets, and what eludes us the most. It works for us and works against us. It's what heals all wounds, and what we crave the most, maybe even more than money. Bigger than valuing time, is learning the Art of Good timing. Some thoughts on the power of Good timing, and how to harness it.

This week I was reminded of the importance of recognition to acknowledge hard work and inspire teamwork. How it's done, is a completely different story. Made me think, it's truly an art form. Nothing lifts people up more than praise given in the most sincere way, at the right time and place, for the right reasons. Some simple thoughts shared here.

A HUGE shout out to the Montefiore IT Dream Team that delivered hashtag#AI as a solution to many problems and needs for a 35,000+ customer base in healthcare. I know that the torch has been lit, you’re carrying it forward…and the others will no doubt see the beauty of what you’ve developed and where you’re going with it. The best is yet to come! Here’s a little tale on the journey that got us this far…and the hashtag courage it took to get started.

Time is money. It's valuable, especially in the service equation. Some thoughts on how spending the time in certain elements ensures better service delivery outcomes.

Here I’m sharing 5 Leadership actions anyone can take to invest in the stock of others, helping them reach their fullest potential. These all happened to start with L, so naturally, I coined them the 5 L’s of Leadership (maybe that helps with remembering them.) Listen, Learn, Look, Level up and Leave. For more on what these mean- enjoy the short read!

A brand is the word(s) or feeling that comes to mind when people think of a thing or a person. It's quite important, and can make or break a company, a team or a person. What's your brand...and your team's? Why is it important and how to develop it. Let's find out.

Ever get asked, what advice would you give to your 20 year old self? Here's mine. It's all about learning in the end. Best thing you can hope to continuously do. Even when you fail, you're learning. Failures refine you, they don't define you (as long as you're learning.)