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Change is hard. The truth is, most people resist it. Whether personal or professional, people are wired to avoid the discomfort of stepping out of their routine. Why? Because sticking to “the way it’s always been done” feels safe, familiar, and less risky. But here’s the reality: Change is inevitable. Maybe you won’t make the […]

With every crisis, opportunity follows. The more skilled you become at navigating crises, the easier it is to recognize and seize that opportunity. One of the most essential tools for doing this that I have found over the years is compartmentalization. This mental discipline allows us to separate conflicting thoughts and emotions, enabling us to

In my years as an FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge, I faced plenty of crises—whether it was a national security threat, cybercrime incident, or a situation where lives were on the line. One thing I learned quickly: when a crisis hits, you can’t solve everything at once. Your first priority must be survival and

As Los Angeles prepares to host the 2028 Summer Olympics, the security of its public and surface transportation systems is paramount. The recent arson attacks on France’s rail network, occurring just hours before the Paris Olympic opening ceremony, serve as a stark reminder of the potential threats that public transit systems face. In these incidents,

Welcome to the final article in our series on leading through chaos. In the previous articles, I shared insights on transforming tolerations into triumphs and the critical importance of setting boundaries—lessons I’ve learned from my time with the FBI. Now, I’m excited to put it all together with a practical self-assessment guide designed to help

In our quest to eliminate or prevent workplace chaos before it turns into a crisis, there is one must-have component: boundaries. Establishing Personal Boundaries Setting clear personal boundaries and ground rules that everyone in the workplace must adhere to—and everyone at home can agree on—is essential to avoiding unnecessary conflicts. Boundaries inform people how they’re

Chaos in the workplace can often manifest as misunderstandings between colleagues, confusion with communication, disorder and disruptiveness, or even mayhem. As many people would agree, chaos feels like “everyone’s hair seems to be on fire.” However, chaos doesn’t just happen overnight. It is something that starts small, but then grows out of control. In order

Women often ask me what it takes to rise to the top in male-dominated fields. Having spent my entire career in the Army, the FBI, and the Transportation Industry, I’ve learned a lot of valuable lessons. The one piece of advice I’d give my 21-year-old self when I embarked on this journey is to simply

Coming up through the leadership ranks in male-dominated fields, I embraced the “lead from the front” leadership style I learned from my male mentors. This approach served me well in many situations, providing a clear direction and a strong example for my team. However, when the FBI promoted me to Assistant Special Agent in Charge