Michael Saltzstein

  Preparing Leaders for the Unthinkable with Michael Saltzstein Leadership is often defined by how well teams perform when the unexpected happens. Financial shocks, supply chain interruptions, and global disruptions can paralyze unprepared organizations, but those that invest in stress testing their leadership seldom falter. Michael Saltzstein highlights that this proactive strategy is not about predicting disasters. It focuses on building confidence, adaptability, and cohesion that help teams stay steady and effective when uncertainty strikes. Much like how engineers test a bridge before cars drive across it, stress testing leadership measures how teams respond under pressure. Through role-playing, crisis simulations, and scenario planning, leaders can identify weaknesses before they become costly problems. These mental fire drills train executives and emerging leaders to act decisively and collaborate effectively in high-pressure situations. The experience buil...

    Michael Saltzstein on the Hidden Harm of Forced Positivity in the Workplace Workplaces often celebrate optimism as a key ingredient of resilience and collaboration. Yet when positivity becomes compulsory, it risks doing more harm than good. Michael Saltzstein recognizes that the push for constant cheer can silence real concerns, discourage authenticity, and prevent leaders from seeing what truly needs to change. The problem is not optimism itself, but the pressure to perform happiness even when employees are struggling.   Why Employees Feel Pressured to Stay Positive The pressure to remain upbeat often comes from leadership messages that frame positivity as loyalty or resilience. Employees quickly learn that showing doubt, frustration, or fatigue might be seen as weakness. In some organizations, negative feedback is dismissed as complaining, creating an atmosphere where silence feels safer than honesty. This forced optimism creates a gap between how employee...

    Michael Saltzstein: Addressing Forced Optimism Is Key to Stronger Team Culture In many workplaces, positivity is seen as a hallmark of professionalism, but when it becomes performative, it can do more harm than good. Michael Saltzstein , recognized for his insight into leadership and organizational effectiveness, recognizes that forced optimism can erode trust and authenticity within teams. When employees feel pressured to always appear upbeat, even in the face of challenges, genuine dialogue suffers, and underlying problems go unaddressed. Performative positivity often begins with the best of intentions. Leaders want to boost morale and keep teams focused on solutions. However, when this positivity is mandated or expected at all times, it can silence valid concerns and create a culture where acknowledging difficulties is discouraged. Over time, this imbalance chips away at transparency and psychological safety.   Recognizing the Signs of Performative Posit...

    The Emotional Work That Often Goes Unnoticed in Teams with Michael Saltzstein Behind every high-functioning team is a layer of invisible labor , subtle, emotional work that doesn’t appear on performance reviews but is essential to cohesion and morale. Michael Saltzstein brings this often-overlooked topic to the forefront, pointing out how this hidden labor supports productivity, reduces friction and fosters belonging. While formal roles focus on tasks and outputs, emotional labor sustains the human fabric of collaboration.     This labor includes managing tensions, mediating conflicts, remembering birthdays, checking in on mental health, mentoring quietly or stepping in to calm stress during high-stakes moments. It is often performed instinctively and without recognition, particularly by women and people from marginalized backgrounds. Yet its impact is undeniable.     The Cost of Being the Emotional Glue   Invisible labor takes time and energy. Employ...

    Michael Saltzstein Reveals How Silent Workarounds Reveal Deeper Process Failures In many workplaces, broken systems stick around not because no one notices, but because no one feels comfortable speaking up. Instead of raising concerns or challenging inefficient processes, employees often create quiet workarounds just to keep things moving. As Michael Saltzstein points out, these behind-the-scenes fixes aren’t signs of creativity or resilience. They are red flags that something important is missing, which is psychological safety.     A workaround may be as simple as using an unofficial spreadsheet instead of a clunky CRM or copying a coworker’s workflow to avoid dealing with red tape. While these silent fixes keep daily operations from stalling, they also mask inefficiencies and prevent systemic improvement.     Why Employees Stay Silent   The silence surrounding broken processes often stems from fear of being seen as negative, resistant, or difficul...