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Tractus Strategic Partners @mgtastradecraft.bsky.social · 2d

Halloween’s roots mark a seasonal crossing. Entering a new stretch of work, I am guided by Havel’s line on choosing what is good and letting steady effort, not favorable odds, be the measure.

#HappyHalloween

Tractus Strategic Partners @mgtastradecraft.bsky.social · 3d

#ILA2025: Decolonizing leadership means rethinking where our theories come from. Many are Western & may not fit; even labels like “leader” and “follower” may not apply. Start with the question, then choose theory/methods. Include community philosophers. Rethink who we cite and whose knowledge counts

Tractus Strategic Partners @mgtastradecraft.bsky.social · 4d

From #ILA2025: stories, serious games, and role-play are working tools, not extras. Stories align purpose, games lower the risk to experiment, and role-play lets teams rehearse tough moments. Together they build trust and speed up learning. Try one in your next team meeting.

Tractus Strategic Partners @mgtastradecraft.bsky.social · 5d

During #ILA2025, one clear pattern emerged - teams that genuinely enjoy working together. I saw easy rapport, quick laughter, and real care. In our own sessions we laughed a LOT and built ideas in the moment. More of that, please!

Tractus Strategic Partners @mgtastradecraft.bsky.social · 6d

Catching up on #ILA2025 after a week in Prague with family. Presence beat posting, but the distance sharpened the lessons. I co-led with a new partner. She is free-form, I am more structured—but it clicked. Manager takeaway: say yes to unexpected partnerships.

ilaglobalconference.org

27th ILA Global Conference – Prague

27th ILA Global Conference Leading Together Prague Hilton | Prague, Czechia | 15 – 18 October, 2025 Virtual Edition | 4 – 5 November 2025 The pace of change is relentless. Leadership isn't just evolvi...

ilaglobalconference.org

Tractus Strategic Partners @mgtastradecraft.bsky.social · 16d

It's a big week for TSP! Our CEO, Kim Carlson, PhD, is presenting at the International Leadership Association Conference in Prague.

Kim’s work reminds us: strategy and leadership both demand reinvention, clarity, and courage — much like Taylor’s newest era.

Join us in celebrating Kim's success!

Tractus Strategic Partners @mgtastradecraft.bsky.social · 17d

Obsess Over Your Audience: Taylor’s success? She listens, evolves, and experiments, always putting fans first.

In leadership, your “fans” are your people and stakeholders.

Stay true to your purpose but flexible in how you deliver it. That’s strategic longevity.

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Tractus Strategic Partners @mgtastradecraft.bsky.social · 18d

Honor the Past, Move Forward: Swift reportedly listens to her old albums before each new one — a ritual of closure before the next chapter.

Leaders should do the same. Celebrate what worked, learn from what didn’t, and then let go.

Strategy evolves when we do.

Tractus Strategic Partners @mgtastradecraft.bsky.social · 19d

Use Anticipation Strategically: Swift builds suspense before every release, teasing clues, limited editions, countdowns. Fans feel part of the journey.

Leaders can do that too. Share just enough vision to spark curiosity, then listen and adapt before full rollout.

Anticipation builds alignment.

Tractus Strategic Partners @mgtastradecraft.bsky.social · 20d

DEFINE YOUR ERA: Taylor Swift doesn’t just drop albums; she launches eras. Each signals a bold, cohesive shift in sound, story, and style.

Great leaders do the same. When strategy shifts, redefine the narrative. Clarify what’s new, what stays, & what ends.

Don’t just update plans: lead a new era.

Tractus Strategic Partners @mgtastradecraft.bsky.social · 23d

Empowerment + psychological safety pays: faster decisions, better judgment, more innovation, stronger retention, and quicker adaptation #PsychologicalSafety

Tractus Strategic Partners @mgtastradecraft.bsky.social · 24d

Rituals make safety durable:
* Two-Voice Challenge: Two teammates present the strongest countercase and risks
* Short premortems: name how a plan can fail
* Rotate roles each meeting
* Keep a decision log with revisit dates
* Speak-up metric: track % of risks/counterarguments #PsychologicalSafety

Tractus Strategic Partners @mgtastradecraft.bsky.social · 25d

Turn dissent into a routine driver of better decisions with these five management moves: admit fallibility, invite counterpoints first before speaking, label the conflict type, respond with curiosity before judgment, and close the loop on how input shaped the decision. #PsychologicalSafety

Tractus Strategic Partners @mgtastradecraft.bsky.social · 26d

Low safety develops via habits: leader airtime, presentation-heavy meetings, short-term metric pressure, cognitive overload, and vague feedback. Quiet rooms are often designed, not accidental. #PsychologicalSafety

Tractus Strategic Partners @mgtastradecraft.bsky.social · 27d

Why safety feels low: power distance, unclear goals, inconsistent consequences, no issue-raising path, and hybrid inequities that favor in-room voices. These signals teach silence. #PsychologicalSafety

Tractus Strategic Partners @mgtastradecraft.bsky.social · Oct 3

Charity and I co-facilitated a storytelling-for-advocacy workshop for VACSB board members. We began with “Why I serve” and ended with clear, actionable asks. No photos—only a name badge and the memory of purpose turning into decisions. Thank you, VACSB.

Tractus Strategic Partners @mgtastradecraft.bsky.social · Oct 3

Hybrid work has not removed conflict—it has buried it. Forbes describes “silent resentment” replacing debate as issues go underground and teams learn more slowly.

Link:

Why Hybrid Work Is Breeding Silent Resentment Instead Of Disputes

Hybrid work has not removed conflict—it has hidden it. Learn how silent resentment erodes engagement and how leaders can turn silence back into dialogue

www.forbes.com

Tractus Strategic Partners @mgtastradecraft.bsky.social · Oct 2

Low psychological safety is not neutral; it is expensive. Gallup estimates that disengagement—a by-product of low psychological safety—drains about $8.8T in productivity worldwide.

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Tractus Strategic Partners @mgtastradecraft.bsky.social · Oct 1

Following Monday’s observations & Tuesday’s numbers: Amy Edmondson’s research on psychological safety explains why teams go quiet: meetings become broadcasts, silence is read as agreement, warnings come from customers not teammates, and junior voices default to deference

Is it Safe to Speak Up at Work? (Transcript)

WorkLife with Adam Grant: Is it Safe to Speak Up at Work? (Transcript)

www.ted.com

Tractus Strategic Partners @mgtastradecraft.bsky.social · Sep 30

Quieter rooms and slower cross-functional work suggest low psychological safety. Survey data shows a decrease in people feeling they can be their whole selves: 66% in 2020 to 41% in 2024, with only 31% actually feeling they can. Source:

People feel less comfortable to 'be themselves' at work

How ‘psychologically safe’ people feel at work has declined, according to Mental Health First Aid England and Henley Business School.

www.personneltoday.com

Tractus Strategic Partners @mgtastradecraft.bsky.social · Sep 29

Noticing a pattern: less challenge, slower cross-functional handoffs, and quieter junior voices. Our ability to work across differences and hear dissent is fading. Alignment can appear strong but only taps into a fraction of team knowledge. This week, I will explore the impact this may have on orgs.

Tractus Strategic Partners @mgtastradecraft.bsky.social · Sep 26

The Unexpected Upside of Change: Growth. Whether it’s new collaborations, fresh strategies, or renewed energy, transitions often deliver more than we anticipate. At Tractus Strategic Partners, we help organizations see not just the challenge in change, but the upside waiting on the other side.

Tractus Strategic Partners @mgtastradecraft.bsky.social · Sep 25

Building Resilience: Change is rarely easy, but navigating it builds resilience. Each transition strengthens the organization’s ability to adapt, learn, and thrive in the face of the unexpected. Over time, these moments create teams that are not just ready for change, but confident in leading it.

Tractus Strategic Partners @mgtastradecraft.bsky.social · Sep 24

Sharper Priorities: Sometimes, it takes a shake-up to sharpen focus. Organizational transitions encourage teams to reassess priorities, cut out the noise, and concentrate on what matters most. With the right planning, change can be a powerful tool for clarity.

Tractus Strategic Partners @mgtastradecraft.bsky.social · Sep 23

Hidden Strengths: Transitions have a way of revealing hidden strengths. When responsibilities shift, people often step up in surprising ways, showing talents that may have gone unnoticed. Change isn’t just about filling gaps; it’s about discovering new capacity within the team.