Katina Sawyer

1 week ago | tovima.com | Katina Sawyer |Annie Linskey |Emily Glazer |Erich Schwartzel

A mortifying conversation with a student inspired me to rethink my approach to work. “ About Face ” is a column about how someone changed their mind. I’ve always identified as an “achiever,” pushing myself to collect clear signs of success, from grades to promotions. Having come from a family of hardworking entrepreneurs who taught me the value of hustle and the impracticality of rest, I suppose it was inevitable that I would take pride in being an over-worker.

3 weeks ago | psychologytoday.com | Patricia Grabarek |Katina Sawyer

For decades, the image of an ideal leader has persisted. Leaders have been idealized as stoic characters who always know the answers, never falter, and who have a plethora of strengths with no weaknesses in sight. But there's a big problem with this concept of what makes leaders great. Not only is this an impossible vision for leaders to achieve — it's also incorrect. What is this idea of leadership getting wrong? We find that people don't want perfect leaders.

2 months ago | wsj.com | Katina Sawyer

Sure, I was always exhausted, but I told myself I would relax when I had finally achieved enough. Yes, my to-do list always seemed to grow, but I convinced myself that was OK, since my drive wasn’t about competition or insecurity, but about my own growth and being a role model to others. My résumé duly glittered with honors and degrees.  Given just how invested I was in being an ideal mentor, it perhaps makes some sense that my wake-up call came from one of my mentees.

2 months ago | psychologytoday.com | Patricia Grabarek |Katina Sawyer

Most people strive to be the best leader they can be. But, it can be hard to know how to improve your leadership. There are so many different leadership styles, and it can be challenging to know which is most effective. On top of that, it's important that your leadership style is authentic to you. How can you stay true to yourself while also letting your best leadership qualities shine through?

2 months ago | yahoo.com | Patricia Grabarek |Katina Sawyer

Credit - Jelena Zivkovic—Getty Images"I hope this email finds you well." It’s a phrase that lands in inboxes every day—but let’s be honest, how many of us actually feel well? Across industries, burnout and disengagement have become the defining crises of the modern workforce, leaving leaders and employees alike wondering: why is everyone so exhausted? Even those of us who specialize in workplace wellbeing haven’t been immune to the toll.