Category: Human Resources

Leading With Intention When the Economy Feels Uncertain

1/29/2026

By Laura Crothers, Crothers Consulting
In today’s economy, it feels like there is a widening divide between businesses that are thriving and those that are facing headwinds. Whichever side of the equation you’re on, strong leadership is critical to success. Leading with intention means making decisions rooted in long-term impact, not short-term fear. Periods of uncertainty require clarity, courage, and intention. Investing in your team, specifically your managers and leaders is one of the clearest ways to lead with all three.

Employee Feedback is a Gift

12/18/2025

By Annette Matheney, Crothers Consulting
Let's face it, the gift of feedback depends upon how it is given and how it is received. When we reference the word “feedback” it can mean different things to different people. When feedback is presented with respect and consideration, it is genuinely like a beautifully wrapped gift. It is inviting, trust-building, and makes you eager to receive it. Conversely, feedback that is presented without care and/or offensively is like handing someone a dirty laundry bag and callously calling it a “gift.” It is difficult for the recipient to stay open to receiving this kind of feedback. If we appropriately want to offer valuable feedback, it must be looked at from two different but equally important perspectives: the presentation (how we wrapped it) and the contents (what we stuffed inside the box).

The Quiet Power of Gratitude

11/20/2025

By Amy Arvary, Crothers Consulting
Gratitude is more than saying “thank you.” It’s a shift in perspective that changes how we move through the world. In a culture built on productivity and performance, gratitude can feel like a pause button we don’t have time to press. Yet that pause is precisely where transformation begins. When we stop to notice what’s good, even briefly, something powerful happens in the brain. The chemistry changes.

Gratitude isn’t a thought; it’s a physiological event.

Mergers Don’t Fail on Paper, They Fail with People.

10/30/2025

By Alwyn Dias, Crothers Consulting
When I’m brought into a merger or acquisition, I can almost always tell within the first few meetings whether the deal will thrive or struggle. Behind every merger or acquisition are people, cultures, and leadership teams that ultimately determine whether the deal succeeds or fails.

The truth is many mergers fail not because of poor strategy, but because of poor leadership integration and cultural misalignment. That’s where HR’s role becomes mission critical.

Are You Leading or Stuck in Reactive Tendencies?

9/24/2025

By Deb Wijnberg, Crothers Consulting
Your calendar is packed. You’re firefighting issues, reviewing details, jumping into team discussions, even rewriting project docs yourself. You’re busy, really busy. But are you truly leading? Many leaders unintentionally fall into Reactive Tendencies, patterns of behavior that feel productive in the moment but ultimately limit effectiveness, disempower teams, and lead to burnout.

We Are Bigger Than Our Jobs!

8/27/2025

By Natalie Wittmann, Crothers Consulting
In my role as an executive and life coach, clients are often seeking help with finding meaning for themselves that is bigger than their work identity, especially when their work identity is leaving them feeling less than fulfilled. Transitioning to the “what’s next” after retirement also invites the big questions about am I bigger-than-my-career. This focus on purpose and meaning drew me to Christina Wallace’s new book: The Portfolio Life. Christina Wallace is Senior Lecturer of entrepreneurship at Harvard Business School and an active angel investor.

Managing Our Time vs Managing our Priorities!

7/25/2025

By Jim Beamesderfer, JB Strategic Solutions
How many times have you thought to yourself – “I wish I had more time!” We have all done it, I am sure. Well, we cannot create more time, but we can manage our time, which is really that we can manage our priorities. In John Maxwell’s book, “Today Matters,” he covers the “Daily Dozen” as he calls them – twelve daily practices to guarantee tomorrow’s success. One of those is PRIORITIES. Prioritize your life by giving focus and energy to those things that yield the highest return.

15 Lessons in 15 Years: What We’ve Learned About Leadership, People, and Growth

7/24/2025

By Laura Crothers, Crothers Consulting
This July marks 15 years since I took a leap of faith and started Crothers Consulting. What began as a solo venture built on passion, trust, and a drive to make small and middle market HR more strategic has grown into a thriving team of professionals who are just as committed to leadership development, culture, and strategic growth as I am. In celebration of this milestone, I’m sharing 15 lessons I’ve learned along the way.

Future-Proofing Your Workforce: How to Empower Busy Managers

6/26/2025

By Laura Crothers, Crothers Consulting
If there’s one constant in today’s business landscape, it’s change and it’s happening faster than ever. From shifting customer expectations to hybrid workplaces, AI innovations, and economic uncertainty, leaders across industries are asking the same question: How do we prepare our people for what’s next?

Motivating the Next Generation: How Training Drives Performance Across a Multigenerational Workforce

5/22/2025

By Crothers Consulting
In today’s workplace five generations often work side by side. That creates a dynamic environment with diverse perspectives and talents, yet it also comes with challenges. One of the most common questions we hear from clients is, “How do we motivate and engage our younger employees?” The answer lies in thoughtful development. The younger generation isn’t lacking drive, they’re looking for direction.

From Check-the-Box to Culture Shift: A Smarter Approach to Manager Training & Development

4/17/2025

By Stephanie Licata, Crothers Consulting
 “The manager is the single most important person in your organization.” – Gallup, It’s the Manager
When it comes to leadership development, most organizations are investing in classroom-style workshops, daylong seminars, or one-size-fits-all programs that check the training box. But if you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “Why aren’t our managers applying what they’ve learned?” - you’re not alone.

Lead to Win: Strengthening Your Market Position with Stronger Leadership

3/27/2025

By Laura Crothers, Crothers Consulting
“Your collective leadership is only as good as your weakest leader." I heard this statement over 15 years ago at a leadership development conference, and it hit me like a brick. At the time, I was part of a small leadership team. One leader stood out—not for the right reasons. He was technically brilliant but struggled as a people leader; high turnover in his department, micromanaged employees afraid to speak up and peers who dreaded meetings with him because of his argumentative nature. Yet, we tolerated it because of the “value” he brought and the results he delivered.

Reassessing and Re-engaging With Your Team

2/20/2025

By Karen J. Williams, Crothers Consulting
With the new year under way, we believe this presents an opportunity for business leaders to re-engage with their employees and position your organizations for strength. Here are some considerations and our related services to support you in this effort.

Cultivating a Thoughtful & Inclusive Culture During This Political Season

10/24/2024

By Alwyn Dias, Crothers Consulting
The diversity of perspectives among individuals is what fosters deeper learning and personal growth. Engaging in healthy discussions about differing viewpoints not only enriches our understanding, but also enables us to present a unified front when addressing complex issues within our communities on things such as politics. It's common for opposing parties to conflate the points of conflict with the character of the individuals involved. This tendency leads us to believe that our differences are reflections of personal character rather than the actual issues at hand. Currently, this seems to be particularly true with respect to support of the different presidential candidates. We will suggest tips on navigating that within your organization.

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