Welcome to The New Leader, a space where leadership and marketing meet real talk. Here, I go beyond the buzzwords to explore what it truly means to lead with purpose, foster connection, and create change.

From practical strategies to candid reflections on life, career, and fulfillment, this blog is for those who want to lead authentically and make a difference.

Carol Tiernan Carol Tiernan

Leadership Essentials: Severance

Severance isn’t just a financial decision—it’s a moral imperative. In times of change, how a company handles layoffs speaks volumes about its values and respect for employees.

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Carol Tiernan Carol Tiernan

A warning to CEOs

Corporate America is at a crossroads. The tragic murder of a healthcare CEO underscores a deeper crisis: the growing discontent of a public that feels exploited and abandoned. Inequities have eroded trust in institutions, leaving corporate leaders with a clear choice—embrace meaningful reform or risk societal instability.

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Carol Tiernan Carol Tiernan

Leadership Essentials: Imperfection

I learned a business lesson from Conclave: The best leaders aren’t unshakable—they’re reflective, thoughtful, and human. They doubt. They make mistakes. They grow. Oh, it’s also a great film.

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Carol Tiernan Carol Tiernan

Do we trust women leaders?

The election has left me questioning our progress on trusting women in leadership. Have we really come as far as we think? Or are we still stuck, trusting flawed men over highly qualified women?

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Carol Tiernan Carol Tiernan

The evolution of leadership

Empathetic leadership is no longer optional—it’s essential. Explore the journey from command-and-control management to vulnerable, human-centered leadership, and discover why empathy is the foundation for creating engaged, resilient teams.

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Carol Tiernan Carol Tiernan

The power of “I don’t know”

As leaders, one of the most powerful things we can do is foster a culture where it’s okay to say, “I don’t know.” When we create environments that encourage vulnerability, we unlock the collective knowledge, skills, and talents of our teams.

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Carol Tiernan Carol Tiernan

Leadership Essentials: Vulnerability

Vulnerability often gets a bad rap in leadership, but it's actually one of the most powerful tools in your toolkit. In this post, we'll explore 10 ways to make vulnerability your leadership superpower, transforming how you build trust, encourage openness, and drive growth within your team.

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Carol Tiernan Carol Tiernan

Not aspiring to be humble

Why do women still have to apologize for being bold in 2024? Despite progress, women continue to be labeled as 'bossy' or 'emotional' when they show leadership and confidence.

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