Leading in the Real World

Developing future leaders.

Career
You Are More Than the Work You Lead

Jeff Frey, PhD on August 31, 2026

Meaningful work can give leaders purpose. But when the role becomes proof of personal value, leadership can demand more than any job should.

Meaningful work can give leaders purpose. But when the role becomes proof of personal value, leadership can demand more than any job should.

Leadership
When Moving Goalposts Wear a Leader Down

Jeff Frey, PhD on July 8, 2026

When goalposts keep moving, success starts to feel unfinished. Sustainable leadership means defining progress in terms that allow people to stop, recover, and begin again.

When goalposts keep moving, success starts to feel unfinished. Sustainable leadership means defining progress in terms that allow people to stop, recover, and begin again.

Leadership
Leadership Means Letting Go of Always Being Needed

Jeff Frey, PhD on June 13, 2026

When rescue becomes a habit, it can wear down leaders and weaken organizations. Sustainable leadership builds capacity so the mission can continue without you as the rescue plan.

When rescue becomes a habit, it can wear down leaders and weaken organizations. Sustainable leadership builds capacity so the mission can continue without you as the rescue plan.

Persuasion
The Ethical Edge of Persuasion

Jeff Frey, PhD Varun Nagaraj PhD on February 25, 2021

Where is the line between persuasion, manipulation and coercion?

Where is the line between persuasion, manipulation and coercion?

Persuasion
Ethical Influence

Jeff Frey, PhD Varun Nagaraj PhD on February 11, 2021

The ethical spectrum of compelling leadership.

The ethical spectrum of compelling leadership.

Back
Back
Find a Therapist
Back
Get Help
Back
Magazine
September 2026 magazine cover
September 2026
The Power of Enough

We’re all holding onto something we’re sure we can’t give up on, but research shows that letting go can boost our happiness a lot more than we might think.

Subscribe Issue Archive
Back
Tests
Self Tests
Self Tests

Self Tests are all about you. Are you outgoing or introverted? Are you a narcissist? Does perfectionism hold you back? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Psychology Today.

Self Assessments
Quizzes