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

The line in the sand

When people disappear during hard seasons, it changes you. I saw it during cancer. I'm seeing it again during long-term unemployment. This post reflects on how public vulnerability reshapes identity—and how community, even from strangers, can help you hold on to your sense of self.

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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

The hiring process is broken

The hiring process is failing job seekers, recruiters, and organizations alike. It’s time for business leaders to step up and reimagine the way we recruit, engage, and hire.

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Carol Tiernan Carol Tiernan

How to kill a brand in X steps

Most say Twitter/X’s death is in its final throes. I break down the five BRAND missteps that pushed the platform from trusted to at-risk, including lessons on how leaders can preserve brand trust and authenticity. Or not. It’s a whole new world.

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Carol Tiernan Carol Tiernan

Avoid ghosting after a layoff

Layoffs can be a rollercoaster of emotions, but the support of your colleagues can make all the difference. So why do we often ghost or get ghosted when it matters most?

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Carol Tiernan Carol Tiernan

Why are we still working 9-5?

Millennial moms are asking, How are we supposed to do it all? Meanwhile, Gen Z is questioning the 9-to-5 life itself. Here’s what these conversations mean for leadership and redefining success from a Gen X perspective.

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