The Leadership Summer Series is a collection of practical articles offering guidance to SME owners and leaders on real-world leadership challenges. Topics include retaining top talent, dealing with toxic employees, managing workplace gossip, rewarding high performers, introducing change, supporting mental health, and fostering inclusive cultures. Each article combines HR best practices with psychological insights, offering clear strategies for building engaged, resilient teams.
Key themes include active listening, embedding vision and values, balancing financial and non-financial rewards, and navigating difficult conversations—like when a valued team member wants to leave or when leadership mistakes are made. The tone is conversational and empathetic, acknowledging that leadership in SMEs is challenging and often learned on the fly. Overall, it’s a hands-on, relatable guide for leaders looking to create healthier, more productive workplaces.