HR
When Autonomy Becomes Neglect: Rethinking How We Lead
Autonomy is often praised, but without context it turns into neglect. Learn why freedom at work can backfire and how leaders can strike the right balance.
Rob Lion, Ph.D.
October 1, 2025
HR
Why Can’t Onboarding Feel More Like Check-In at a Resort?
Warning: This might make you rethink everything you’re doing in those first 90 days. Picture this: You’ve just arrived at a luxury resort for vacation. You’re excited but slightly anxious
Rob Lion, Ph.D.
September 25, 2025
Self-care
Reel in Connection
Why Friendship Retreats Are Worth the Time—And How Rob’s Mexico Retreat was a Hit. 🎣🍻☀️ In today’s fast-paced world, keeping close friendships strong can be tough. That’s why friendship retreats are
Rob Lion, Ph.D.
May 1, 2025
Leadership
Is Facilitation the Leadership Skill We’ve Been Overlooking?
In my upcoming podcast episode with host Myriam Hadnes, of the Workshops Work podcast (ranked in the top 5% of podcasts globally), we unpack a leadership approach that’s often misunderstood,
Rob Lion, Ph.D.
April 23, 2025
Feedback
Are You Leading, or Cheer-leading?
Warning: This one might sting! Let’s pretend we’re sitting down for a feedback conversation. You’ve got your coffee. I’ve got mine. I look across the table and say something that
Rob Lion, Ph.D.
April 16, 2025
Leadership
So What’s the Problem with Delegation?
Delegation has long been considered a hallmark of effective leadership. It’s a skill taught early, often framed as the antidote to micromanagement, a strategy to lighten a leader’s load and
Rob Lion, Ph.D.
March 21, 2025
Uncategorized
7 Years of Ripples of Impact
Black River PM Anniversary! In 2017, we started Black River Performance Management, believing that “work should fuel the human spirit, not drain it.” We feel fortunate to have reached this
Rob Lion, Ph.D.
October 27, 2024
Performance
Do Athletes Really “Just Do It” Better? Unpacking the Research
Article: Lion, Burch, & Bolinger. (2024). Athletic Identity and Discretionary Effort at Work. Organization Management Journal, 21(3). In June, colleagues from Idaho State University and I published a paper that
Rob Lion, Ph.D.
October 6, 2024
Uncategorized
It’s Great to Have Values, but Do You Have the Skills?
Work hard, dedication, accountability, and respect are common answers to the question we ask at our workshops – what professional values do you possess? The irony is that in many
Rob Lion, Ph.D.
September 30, 2024
Performance
Give Me Growers, Not Show-ers
Please let me explain… Today, I was asked, “How do we return to pre-COVID culture and practices?” My quick answer was, “We don’t, and we won’t…it is all slightly different
Rob Lion, Ph.D.
May 22, 2024
