Writing

I write for Forbes and HBR. I will be writing frequently about my experiences as Chief Learning Officer at Udemy. My focus areas include working with Udemy and its customers to design innovative solutions that meet the learning and cultural needs of a distributed workplace. I will also be writing more about my upcoming book, ReCulturing.

Articles I've Written

Why Great Employees Leave “Great Cultures”

May 2018

“We have a great culture.” We have all heard it. We have all said it. But what does that mean? Ping-Pong tables, free meals, and beer on tap?  No.Yoga, CrossFit classes, and massage chairs? I so need that, but no.

Listening Is an Overlooked Leadership Tool

May 2016

“What do you think?”
I ask this question a lot. My team knows that when they come to me with a question, this is likely the question I’ll come back with first. Sometimes I even preface it with, “I don’t know.” As leaders in our organizations, it’s up to us to coach colleagues and our employees through finding that answer.

Why Leadership Development Has To Happen On The Job

March 2016

At a recent leadership summit we held at Twitter with 100 of our top global leaders, our agenda was to talk about our strategic direction and get aligned as a leadership team. Then, the day before the summit, news leaked of several executive departures. The context of our discussions had shifted.

Articles I've Written

How To Have A Restorative Vacation: A 3-Part System Of Reconnecting

August 2023

Once, vacations were about escaping it all. Now, they’re about reconnecting—with ourselves, family, and friends, old and new. In my book “ReCulturing,” I delve into systems thinking, which applies not only to effective company cultures but also to personal ones. This approach inspired me to create a 3-part vacation system: Pre, During, and Post.

How To Strengthen Remote Teams Through Team Practices

March 2021

Explore the significance of psychological safety in teams and how it was affected by the transition to remote work in this informative article. Learn about essential team practices that can help bridge the gap between employee requirements and managerial comprehension.

Culture Starts & Ends With You: The Importance Of Defining Your Personal Culture

February 2021

In 2021, an executive I worked with realized that intentionally designing her days made her a better leader, emphasizing the importance of a leader’s personal culture in driving cultural change. Personal culture comprises behaviors, practices, and processes aligned with values, and leaders must prioritize their personal cultures to build healthy organizational cultures.

Three Leadership Skill Shifts For 2021 and Beyond

November 2020

In the midst of the challenges 2020 presented, leaders learned valuable skills for adapting to a changing work landscape. These skills include shifting from mere communication to genuine empathy, evolving from emotional intelligence to emotional agility, and moving away from traditional time management towards context management to navigate the new normal effectively.

Articles I've Written

More Articles

5 Misconceptions We Need To Unlearn About Company Culture

October 2019

When your manager is consistently late to your 1:1s (or cancels them) and then talks the whole time.When promotions happen randomly instead of being based on any of the defined promotional criteria.

Three Things You Must Do Immediately As a New Leader

April 2019

You have 30 days to show your team what you’ve got.
I often tell my executive-coaching clients that the first 30 days in a new role are the most critical. That’s the amount of time you have to show your team, your manager, and your colleagues what you’ve got as a leader.

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May 2022

Interview with Emily Chang

May 2022

Lingo Live Groundwork features Chief People Officers from the world’s fastest-growing companies. These leaders guide organizations…

Writing

Also Featured In

10 Amazing Company Culture Consultants You Should Hire Right Now

October 2019

If you’re looking to transform your company culture, here are 10 amazing consultants that can help you with your cause. These standout HR leaders have vast experience with evaluating company culture, identifying areas for improvement, and providing a real action plan on what to do next.

ATD: Q&A With Melissa Daimler

October 2016

Until recently, Melissa Daimler led Twitter’s learning and organizational development team. She’s made a career of integrating interests in learning, coaching, and organizational dynamics, and led the learning and organizational consulting team at Adobe Systems prior to joining Twitter. Daimler also is a featured speaker and contributor to Harvard Business Review.

How Twitter Handles Learning

September 2015

It’s easy to get the wrong idea about Twitter Inc. Young company, digital focus, Silicon Valley location — it probably has one of those crazy startup cultures with apps and avatars and such oozing from every developmental pore, right? Not really.

An Effective Way to Recruit Talent? Try to Get Your Current Workers to Leave

May 2022

In today’s workplace, leaders are keenly aware that company culture is essential to employee retention and satisfaction, and as a result, tied to company strategy and growth. But what actually goes…

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