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Tough Conversations: Leading From Your Adult Self
Today, the conversation in front of me felt particularly difficult because of the CliftonStrengths dynamics at play. It was, in essence,...
kawkapc
Aug 15, 20253 min read


Why "Weaknesses" Are a Myth and Why Investing in Your Strengths is a Smarter Choice
We live in a culture that’s obsessed with what’s broken. Somehow, criticizing and pointing out flaws is considered a sign of...
kawkapc
Jun 16, 20255 min read


The Defiant Path: Leading a Life That’s Truly Yours
We don’t like defiance. Not in teenagers, not in colleagues, not in ourselves. It disrupts. Refuses. Challenges the norm. And yet, defiance might be one of the most essential leadership qualities we never talk about. Especially when it comes to leading our own lives. Defiance isn’t just rebellion for its own sake. It’s the refusal to shrink into expectations that don’t fit. It’s a boundary line that says: not this . In psychological terms, defiance often emerges as a protec
kawkapc
Jun 3, 20254 min read


Self-Empathy: Taking Your Power Back
“When you do not seek or need external approval, you are at your most powerful.” — Caroline Myss Most women don’t need a seminar on “reading the room.” Years of social conditioning mean we pick up on micro-moods and rush to smooth them over. Studies show women often score higher than men on empathy and perspective-taking , but when motivation is equalized, the gap nearly disappears. What that means is that we practice empathy because we were taught it matters. That invisible
kawkapc
Jun 1, 20255 min read


From Perfectionism to Presence: Reclaiming Your Enough-ness
Is there a difference between healthy striving and perfectionism? Absolutely. One is rooted in growth. The other, in fear . As Anne Lamott puts it, perfectionism “leaves us pretzelized.” It distorts us. Exhausts us. And most of all, it keeps us from starting, or finishing, what really matters. It may also leave us used, omitted, and abandoned, by others, yes, but mostly by ourselves. By others, because who wants to live in constant comparison to something that’s not real,
kawkapc
May 25, 20256 min read


The Power of Living In-Between
I’ve always felt a quiet envy toward people who could introduce themselves with just one word."I'm a doctor.""I'm a photographer.""I'm a dancer." There’s a kind of comfort in that, isn’t there? A clarity. A clean box you can tuck yourself into and present to the world like a polished LinkedIn headline. That was never my story. For years, I thought there was something wrong with me. My inability to generate myself a single label felt like failure, like I hadn’t landed anywhere
kawkapc
May 3, 20256 min read


Unavailable on Purpose: From Always-On to Intentionally Off
Have you ever noticed how being constantly available to others ends up hurting you? We say yes out of habit, reply instantly, stay...
kawkapc
Apr 21, 20256 min read


The Craving for Freedom
We all long for freedom. Not just political or physical freedom, but the kind that lives quietly inside us. But what is freedom, really?...
kawkapc
Apr 13, 20257 min read


Learning to Lead Again (And Again and Again): The Myth of Certainty
Good leaders never stop learning. Great leaders, the kind who leave a positive lasting impact not just on organizations, but on people’s...
kawkapc
Apr 4, 20258 min read


Moving From Fear to Intuition: Reclaiming Your Inner Wisdom
"At the center of your being, you have the answer; you know who you are, and you know what you want." - Lao Tzu Deep within us lies a well of wisdom, an intuition that knows what is right, even when fear clouds our vision. Yet, too often, fear takes control, drowning out our inner knowing with alarm bells and doubt . When we learn to tame our fear center, the amygdala, we regain access to our intuition, making decisions from a place of clarity, courage, and trust rather than
kawkapc
Mar 16, 20259 min read


The Cost of Neglecting Psychological Safety
What is Psychological Safety? "The belief that one will not be punished or humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions, concerns, or...
kawkapc
Mar 9, 20257 min read


The New Leadership Skills for a Thriving Non-Profit Sector
Thriving Non-Profit? Sounds like an oxymoron. If you're an Executive Director or CEO of one, you know exactly what I mean. In a sector...
kawkapc
Feb 23, 20258 min read


Emotional Intelligence: The Game-Changer for Career and Life
How do we reconnect with ourselves and each other? What is the universal language that unites human experience? The ability to name our...
kawkapc
Feb 17, 20257 min read


How Do I Get Over Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter syndrome is the persistent feeling of self-doubt and inadequacy despite evident success. It convinces us that we are frauds,...
kawkapc
Feb 3, 20256 min read


Why Strategies Fail — And What to Do Instead
Strategy often remains confined to PowerPoint decks, failing to translate into real-world implementation. There’s a gap. Everyday choices...
kawkapc
Jan 24, 20257 min read


The Essential Importance Of Trust: How To Build It
Trust defines relationships. It is the invisible thread that holds society together, shaping our interactions, decisions, and...
kawkapc
Jan 17, 20256 min read


Setting Boundaries with Confidence: A Path to Healthier Relationships
What if setting boundaries in a clear and compassionate way was not only possible but also empowering? Imagine feeling confident ,...
kawkapc
Jan 15, 20257 min read


Collaborative Approach To Conflict Resolution
An atmosphere charged with possibility, this isn’t how most people immediately describe a conflict situation. However, when reflecting on...
kawkapc
Jan 12, 20256 min read


The Difficult Art of Listening to Silence
Does this sound familiar? On the way from the car to the office, there’s a bench she’s never noticed. One morning Emma sits down “just for a second.” No phone. The city keeps moving; she doesn’t. In that small pocket of nothing, a simple clarity surfaces: cancel two meetings, make one hard call, apologize for yesterday’s edge. Ten minutes of silence gives her day back. Is this just another article about mindfulness? Silence and mindfulness are related, but not the same. Silen
kawkapc
Dec 30, 20247 min read


Negotiations: Tap Into Your Strengths for Better Outcomes
Negotiation is often misunderstood. Many people associate it with hard bargaining, competition, and even confrontation. But in today’s...
kawkapc
Dec 30, 20245 min read
© Copyright Monika Kawka
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