Mollie West Duffy

Oct 30, 2024 | hbr.org | Liz Fosslien |Mollie West Duffy

When people are glued to the news, it can feel especially challenging to be a manager. This November, the week of the U.S. elections will undoubtedly be one of those challenging periods. In 2020, the election took days to call. Liz remembers several of her team members saying they were having trouble sleeping, let alone focusing on their work. Mollie was working for a communications consulting firm that employed many politically engaged employees.

Jan 16, 2024 | hrzone.com | Mollie West Duffy |Rebecca McKenzie |Thom Dennis |Garin Rouch

Each New Year offers a chance to reflect on the one gone by, and 2023 has certainly been a chaotic and uncertain one. Although there are positive signs for the year ahead, we aren’t out of the woods just yet – especially for employees in the UK. In fact, the British Chamber of Commerce recently described the UK’s economic outlook for 2024 as ‘fragile’, suggesting that organisations will have to navigate more uncertainty and unpredictability.

Dec 19, 2023 | hrzone.com | Mollie West Duffy

Each New Year offers a chance to reflect on the one gone by, and 2023 has certainly been a chaotic and uncertain one. Although there are positive signs for the year ahead, we aren’t out of the woods just yet – especially for employees in the UK. In fact, the British Chamber of Commerce recently described the UK’s economic outlook for 2024 as ‘fragile’, suggesting that organisations will have to navigate more uncertainty and unpredictability.

Jun 12, 2023 | hbr.org | Kim Scott |Liz Fosslien |Mollie West Duffy

Hearing about what you’re not doing well at work can feel bad. That doesn’t make you “defensive” or “shut down to feedback.” It just means you’re human and that you care about your performance — both good things. Even when you receive kind, clear feedback from a manager, peer, or employee, it can still be difficult to learn what you could be doing better. Say to yourself: “This is uncomfortable, and that’s okay.

Mar 10, 2023 | hbr.org | Kim Scott |Liz Fosslien |Mollie West Duffy

When uncertainty is high, knowing where you stand — and learning about your mistakes while there’s still time to fix them — is more important than ever. To be able to adapt to changing conditions and ensure that your team continues to feel supported and motivated, you need to understand what you’re doing well — and where you’re falling short. Soliciting clear, actionable feedback allows you to make better, more informed decisions and pivot when necessary.