Kevin Novak

The Loyalty Trap – When Commitment Becomes a Cage Navigating the Psychology of Organizational Allegiance During Change and Transformation Issue 251, February 12, 2026 A senior vice president at a client I worked with recently described a moment that caused me some pause. After 22 years at the organization, he sat in a board meeting watching leadership present a transformation roadmap that would eliminate his entire division’s operating model. He told me, “I knew they were right. I knew we…

  The Relationship Decay Rate – Why Professional Connections Atrophy Without Intention Issue 249, January 29, 2026 Someone you haven’t spoken with in three years reaches out asking for an introduction. You were once genuine colleagues, people who supported each other’s work and cared about each other’s success. Now you hesitate, calculating whether the relationship still warrants the favor being requested. Something that would have been automatic three years ago now requires deliberation. This is the relationship decay rate at…

When Being Right Isn’t Enough The Human Factor in Influence and Timing Issue 248, January 22, 2026 Early in my career, I watched a brilliant colleague present an analysis that was precise and correct. His data was impeccable, his logic flawless, his recommendation clearly the right path forward. The room thanked him; some even gave him kudos for the completeness of the analysis and the thoughtfulness he applied to the recommendation. Following the meeting, the leadership announced they were proceeding…

The Confidence Calibration Problem Why Self-Assessment Fails Us at the Worst Possible Moments Issue 247, January 15, 2026 In virtually every meeting where decisions are being made, someone in the room is speaking with authority on a subject they understand poorly, while someone else with genuine expertise is holding back because they’re not confident their perspective or even the information they have is valuable. This asymmetry shapes outcomes in ways we rarely recognize. This phenomenon of human behavior cuts across…

The Advice We Never Take Why Leaders Seek Counsel They Systematically Ignore Issue 246, January 8, 2026 A CEO I worked with several years ago hired three different consulting firms over 18 months to advise on the same strategic question. Each firm conducted extensive research, interviewed stakeholders, and delivered comprehensive recommendations. Each recommendation pointed in essentially the same direction. And each time, he thanked them, paid their invoices, and proceeded exactly as he had intended before asking. When I asked…

The Psychology of Fresh Starts Why January Optimism Fails and What Actually Makes Change Stick Issue 245, January 2, 2026 Fresh starts are seductive. They promise change and transformation without the messy work of actual change and transformation. Every January, leaders announce bold new initiatives, teams commit to better collaboration, and individuals embrace change with the enthusiasm of people who have conveniently forgotten how last year’s resolutions ended. The calendar turns, and we believe this time will be different. We…

Holiday Week Sampler 2025 A Season of Hope, Renewal, and New Beginnings Issue 244, December 26, 2025 As we gather during this holiday week between Christmas and the New Year, we find ourselves in a unique moment of transition. The celebrations of the past few days give way to quiet reflection, and the promise of a fresh year beckons just ahead. This week’s sampler draws from our archive of 243 issues to explore themes that feel especially relevant during this…