--- title: Blog (5) description: Explore insightful leadership strategies and explore key themes in collaboration, trust, and growth from Brian Donovan's latest blog posts and research. Stay updated with our mailing list. (5) --- [Skip to content](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/page/5#main-content) ![cropped-DON_LongRGB01](https://donovanleadership.com/hs-fs/hubfs/cropped-DON_LongRGB01.jpg?width=886&height=247&name=cropped-DON_LongRGB01.jpg) - [Home](https://donovanleadership.com/) - [Coaching](https://donovanleadership.com/executive-coaching-transform-your-leadership-style-donovan-leadership) Show submenu for Coaching - [One on One Coaching](https://donovanleadership.com/one-on-one-coaching) - [Group Coaching](https://donovanleadership.com/group-coaching) - [Blog](https://donovanleadership.com/blog) Show submenu for Blog - [All Posts](https://donovanleadership.com/blog) - [Research](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/tag/research) - [Books](https://donovanleadership.com/books) - [About](https://donovanleadership.com/about) Show submenu for About - [Contact Us](https://donovanleadership.com/contact) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Home](https://donovanleadership.com/) - [Coaching](https://donovanleadership.com/executive-coaching-transform-your-leadership-style-donovan-leadership) Show submenu for Coaching - [One on One Coaching](https://donovanleadership.com/one-on-one-coaching) - [Group Coaching](https://donovanleadership.com/group-coaching) - [Blog](https://donovanleadership.com/blog) Show submenu for Blog - [All Posts](https://donovanleadership.com/blog) - [Research](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/tag/research) - [Books](https://donovanleadership.com/books) - [About](https://donovanleadership.com/about) Show submenu for About - [Contact Us](https://donovanleadership.com/contact) - [Influence Curve Quiz](https://influence-curve.lovable.app/) [Influence Curve Quiz](https://influence-curve.lovable.app/) # Blog Posts and Research Join our mailing list for regular leadership updates. [![](https://donovanleadership.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/The%20image%20depicts%20a%20modern%20office%20setting%20illuminated%20by%20soft%20natural%20light%20streaming%20through%20large%20windows%20In%20the%20foreground%20a%20diverse%20group%20of%20prof-1.jpg)](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/why-leaders-need-to-stop-trying-to-be-the-sharpest-knife-in-the-drawer) ## [Why leaders need to stop trying to be the sharpest knife in the drawer](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/why-leaders-need-to-stop-trying-to-be-the-sharpest-knife-in-the-drawer) [Brian Donovan](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/author/brian-donovan) Jul 6, 2023, 2:00:00 PM Gary always prided himself as the sharpest knife in the drawer. And for good reason! He was preemine... [Read more](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/why-leaders-need-to-stop-trying-to-be-the-sharpest-knife-in-the-drawer) [![](https://donovanleadership.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/In%20a%20modern%20office%20setting%20a%20middleaged%20man%20with%20saltandpepper%20hair%20and%20glasses%20sits%20behind%20a%20sleek%20wooden%20desk%20attentively%20listening%20to%20a%20young%20woma-1.jpg)](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/empathy-is-important-but-its-more-than-just-listening) ## [Empathy is important, but it’s more than just listening](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/empathy-is-important-but-its-more-than-just-listening) [Brian Donovan](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/author/brian-donovan) May 25, 2023, 2:00:00 PM Kathy’s boss gave her his empathy and listened to her concerns about teamwork in their group and her... [Read more](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/empathy-is-important-but-its-more-than-just-listening) [![](https://donovanleadership.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/The%20image%20depicts%20a%20commanding%20officer%20on%20the%20bridge%20of%20a%20nuclear%20submarine%20with%20a%20diverse%20group%20of%20officers%20and%20crew%20members%20gathered%20around%20him%20The-1.jpg)](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/empower-leaders-at-every-level-and-turn-the-ship-around) ## [Empower leaders at every level and turn the ship around](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/empower-leaders-at-every-level-and-turn-the-ship-around) [Brian Donovan](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/author/brian-donovan) May 18, 2023, 2:00:00 PM When David Marquet took over as commander of the nuclear submarine USS Santa Fe, he inherited a toxi... [Read more](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/empower-leaders-at-every-level-and-turn-the-ship-around) [![](https://donovanleadership.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/In%20a%20bright%20modern%20office%20space%20filled%20with%20natural%20light%20Dianne%20sits%20at%20a%20sleek%20wooden%20desk%20her%20expression%20a%20mix%20of%20determination%20and%20relief%20Surroun-1.jpg)](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/take-the-busy-monkey-off-your-back-the-shift-from-doing-to-leading) ## [Take the busy monkey off your back; the shift from doing to leading](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/take-the-busy-monkey-off-your-back-the-shift-from-doing-to-leading) [Brian Donovan](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/author/brian-donovan) Mar 9, 2023, 4:00:00 PM Dianne was a prodigious doer. She accomplished more than most people. But it meant she was always ru... [Read more](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/take-the-busy-monkey-off-your-back-the-shift-from-doing-to-leading) [![](https://donovanleadership.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/The%20image%20captures%20Atul%20Gawande%20a%20renowned%20surgeon%20and%20author%20exuding%20focus%20and%20passion%20as%20he%20stands%20before%20a%20large%20screen%20during%20a%20TED%20Talk%20He%20is%20dr-1.jpg)](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/want-to-get-great-at-something-get-a-coach) ## [Want to get great at something? Get a coach](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/want-to-get-great-at-something-get-a-coach) [Brian Donovan](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/author/brian-donovan) Feb 16, 2023, 4:00:00 PM Surgeon and public health professor Atul Gawande has studied the question of how we improve in the f... [Read more](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/want-to-get-great-at-something-get-a-coach) [![](https://donovanleadership.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/The%20image%20depicts%20a%20serene%20office%20space%20bathed%20in%20soft%20morning%20light%20with%20a%20large%20window%20showcasing%20a%20vibrant%20sunrise%20A%20wooden%20desk%20is%20neatly%20arrange-1.jpg)](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/how-to-develop-your-point-of-view-about-the-future-and-do-work-you-love) ## [How to develop your point of view about the future and do work you love](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/how-to-develop-your-point-of-view-about-the-future-and-do-work-you-love) [Brian Donovan](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/author/brian-donovan) Apr 21, 2022, 2:00:00 PM Having a point of view about the future can help you win the work you love along with greater satisf... [Read more](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/how-to-develop-your-point-of-view-about-the-future-and-do-work-you-love) [![](https://donovanleadership.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/The%20image%20portrays%20a%20modern%20office%20environment%20with%20a%20group%20of%20diverse%20professionals%20gathered%20around%20a%20sleek%20conference%20table%20The%20atmosphere%20is%20colla-1.jpg)](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/why-good-listening-is-much-more-than-being-silent-while-the-other-person-talks) ## [Why good listening is much more than being silent while the other person talks](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/why-good-listening-is-much-more-than-being-silent-while-the-other-person-talks) [Brian Donovan](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/author/brian-donovan) Mar 17, 2022, 3:00:00 PM When Dan took on his new role, he did not want to fall into the trap of communicating his vision whi... [Read more](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/why-good-listening-is-much-more-than-being-silent-while-the-other-person-talks) [![](https://donovanleadership.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/The%20image%20depicts%20a%20determined%20woman%20Marie%20standing%20confidently%20in%20a%20modern%20office%20environment%20She%20is%20dressed%20in%20professional%20attire%20her%20expression%20a-1.jpg)](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/how-leaders-embrace-challenges-and-build-resilience) ## [How leaders embrace challenges and build resilience](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/how-leaders-embrace-challenges-and-build-resilience) [Brian Donovan](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/author/brian-donovan) Nov 25, 2021, 4:00:00 PM A raft of problems beset Marie. Her new boss had thrown the pieces of the organisation jigsaw puzzle... [Read more](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/how-leaders-embrace-challenges-and-build-resilience) [![](https://donovanleadership.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/The%20image%20depicts%20a%20serene%20home%20office%20setting%20bathed%20in%20soft%20morning%20light%20A%20sleek%20wooden%20desk%20adorned%20with%20a%20laptop%20and%20a%20steaming%20mug%20of%20coffee%20is-1.jpg)](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/why-leaders-who-maintain-a-positive-culture-get-the-best-results) ## [Why leaders who maintain a positive culture get the best results](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/why-leaders-who-maintain-a-positive-culture-get-the-best-results) [Brian Donovan](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/author/brian-donovan) Sep 23, 2021, 2:00:00 PM Leaders everywhere are struggling with the challenge of remote working. If you are a leader in Melbo... [Read more](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/why-leaders-who-maintain-a-positive-culture-get-the-best-results) [![](https://donovanleadership.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/A%20vibrant%20green%20frog%20reclines%20blissfully%20on%20a%20colorful%20beach%20chair%20adorned%20with%20tropical%20patterns%20its%20webbed%20feet%20playfully%20dangling%20over%20the%20edge%20Wi-1.jpg)](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/understanding-how-hybrid-working-is-affecting-leaders) ## [Understanding how hybrid working is affecting leaders](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/understanding-how-hybrid-working-is-affecting-leaders) [Brian Donovan](https://donovanleadership.com/blog/author/brian-donovan) Sep 16, 2021, 2:00:00 PM Leaders everywhere are struggling with the challenge of remote working. If you are a leader in Melbo... 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