The un-Corporate Blog
How to Tell a Crisp Story About Your Work in Under Two Minutes
A question came my way recently that sits at the heart of executive presence: How do you explain what you're working on clearly and succinctly — without losing the substance? It's deceptively simple. And most leaders, even experienced ones, struggle with it. Here's...
When Does Process Become a Burden?
I've been asking myself this question more and more as I work with various organizations. Because process — done well — is one of the most powerful tools a leader has. Done poorly, it becomes the very thing that undermines everything you've built. Process at its best...
Clarity w/o Accountability Is Just a Conversation
Recently, my husband and I spent an afternoon with friends — let's call them Oliver and Lisa. They've been leasing commercial space to a non-profit, and despite the best of intentions, the arrangement isn't going well. They did everything right. Solid, highly...
My employee drives me nuts. Turns out, it was never about him
One day, while venting about an employee to my husband, he stopped me mid-sentence and said, with a chuckle: "Silvia, this is your pattern. When you first start working with someone, you love them — you sing their praises. But after a while, all you can see is what...
Your team is not your family. And that’s a good thing.
Let’s retire this one once and for all.
Calling your team a “family” sounds warm and inclusive — but it quietly creates one of the most dysfunctional dynamics in the workplace. Families are built on unconditional love, survival instincts, and bonds you were born into, not ones you chose. And let’s be honest — most families are at least a little dysfunctional.
Triggered by Triggers
With the launch of the un-Corporate Leader podcast, I've been reflecting on my experience with leadership development across the decades of my career — the foundational lessons that shaped my philosophy and the moments that truly tested it. Some of those early lessons...
The Day I Was Told to Be “More Latina”
What I did know was this: something deep inside me had just been set at odds with itself.
My identity as the calm one, the peacemaker, the composed and capable achiever — all of it suddenly felt like it was in conflict. And layered underneath all of that was something even more powerful: a deeply held value of respecting authority.
The Skill That Accelerates Careers Faster Than Any Promotion
Influence becomes critical the moment your success depends on people you can’t direct. Learn what to do in today’s post!
How to Lead Through Big Emotions Without Losing Your Edge
Leading while maintaining a grounded consistent demeanor is built. Working through this simple guide will help you navigate big emotions that may derail you at work.