Develop leaders, strengthen executive teams and gain deep insights with assessments designed to accelerate trust and performance.
Transform how your leaders think and perform with keynotes that spark connection, trust and high-performance cultures.
Explore practical tools, thought-leadership and resources to help you build trusted, high-performing teams.
Trustologie® is a leadership development consultancy founded by Marie-Claire Ross, specialising in helping executives and managers build high-trust, high-performing teams.
4 min read
Lauren had spent a decade proving herself through performance. As a practice manager in a busy medical clinic, she knew how to get results. She could organise systems, motivate staff, and keep the practice running smoothly – especially critical in...
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3 min read
As an executive coach, I’m often brought in to support executives and senior managers who are technically capable, experienced, and hardworking - yet...
4 min read
Implementing change in the workplace often creates pressure, uncertainty, and emotional reactions - especially during a workplace crisis. Successful...
5 min read
Navigating difficult conversations at work isn’t just a “nice to have” leadership skill – it’s the fault line that often separates healthy,...
5 min read
When my daughter was 17 months old, she discovered a superpower: the word “Why?” For the next two years, it was her response to almost everything.
6 min read
I have a friend who often finds herself at the mercy of her emotions. Recently, she called me to rehash a confrontation she’d had with a group of...
6 min read
True leadership presence isn’t a performance or a set of charisma hacks; it is the felt experience of who you are being in the room. By cultivating...
8 min read
As teams return from their summer (or winter) break, you may notice subtle shifts in your team’s energy. Even if the end of year was positive, a new...
6 min read
The workplace is evolving at a pace few previous generations have seen and 2026 will mark a turning point. The Future of Work is blended, not hybrid....
3 min read
Many leaders jump into a leadership position excited by the opportunity to help others and perform at a higher level.
5 min read
What makes a good team leader isn’t just about having authority or getting tasks done - it’s about the ability to create an environment where people...
5 min read
As an executive coach, I have the privilege of partnering with top leaders - from those sponsored by their organisations to individuals who...
3 min read
In today's fast-paced business world, effective leadership is more crucial than ever. But even the most talented leaders or business owners can...
6 min read
A CEO once came to me with a dilemma. He had a brilliant executive, someone with all the right skills and experience, but he simply wasn't having the...
5 min read
In the book, the Hidden Life of Trees, Author Peter Wohlleben, talks about his professional career as a forester. It was his job to look at hundreds...
3 min read
If you think back over your career, when have you felt your most influential? When have you truly felt grounded in your own sense of power?
5 min read
There is a lot going on in the world right now. With global uncertainty, cost of living pressures and recession threats people are anxious about...
4 min read
When most people hear the term leadership accountability, they often picture a manager holding others to account - calling out missed deadlines,...
6 min read
In today’s complex and fast-paced work environment, leadership isn’t just about what you do—it’s about how you show up. And that begins with your...
4 min read
Another high-pressure management meeting has just closed with no clear actions. Targets missed. Heightened tension about employee bonuses still not...
4 min read
There comes a time in every team, when the energy seems to dip.
6 min read
Middle managers are burning out faster than ever before. Sitting between the executive team and the frontline they act as a linchpin. Translating...
3 min read
In the workplace, we all know the importance of accountability as a leader. Yet, rarely do we talk about how personal responsibility drives...
4 min read
Dealing with uncertainty is at an all-time high. According to the Global Policy Uncertainty Index, concern about the impact of policy decisions on...
4 min read
Successfully leading teams today is very different to leading a team even a decade ago. Since COVID, the world of work has undergone a seismic shift....
8 min read
The most effective leaders don’t just lead teams—they lead themselves first.
4 min read
A few years ago, I was sitting in a large auditorium listening to the wonderful, Jim Collins, who studied what makes great companies tick for...
9 min read
High performers are the backbone of any successful organisation. Understanding how to harness their potential can elevate your entire team's...
7 min read
With job insecurity, economic uncertainty and the pressure to do more with less, thriving at work can almost seem like a pipe dream.
8 min read
After 10 years of resisting Married at First Sight Australia, I have succumbed to the "social experiment." It's where Aussie singles tie the knot...
7 min read
In today’s fast-changing workplace, managers face unprecedented complex challenges. From hybrid work complexities to team alignment struggles, it...
4 min read
Leadership coaching is a transformative, one-on-one partnership designed to sharpen your decision-making, elevate team performance, and unlock your...
7 min read
As a leader, your job is to create a positive work environment where people work together in service of a shared goal - a high-performance atmosphere...
6 min read
In last week's article, 4 Key Features that Confirm a Quality Leadership Development program we explored the essential features to consider when...
6 min read
In an era defined by rapid change, economic uncertainty, and unprecedented workplace challenges, organisations are grappling with how to remain...
4 min read
Trust in business is foundational. It underlies every human relationship, every interaction, every communication, every initiative, every work...
7 min read
I'm one of those people who have been wired to trust pretty much any women my own age who engage with me in friendly chit-chat.
3 min read
Most leaders understand the importance of building trust in their teams and across them. Yet, throw in a bit of risk or uncertainty and leaders...
3 min read
Concerns about productivity, visibility, and inadequate collaboration are prompting some companies to require employees to return to the office.
4 min read
As a manager, giving constructive feedback is one of the fastest ways to reveal your emotional intelligence. You’re not just delivering a message;...
4 min read
Unlock the potential of your Gen Z employees with these essential management strategies.
4 min read
Times are challenging, obstacles are tough, and uncertainties loom on the horizon. The economic landscape is evolving in real time and will keep...
3 min read
We all love to hate meetings. Yet, when executed effectively, they enhance team unity and harness the collective intelligence of your people.
3 min read
Emerging leaders often kickstart their leadership journey by mirroring the practices of inspirational mentors.
4 min read
In a recent Fast company article, Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic made the bold statement that an under-rated leadership skill is being able to build a...
4 min read
Successful leaders understand that a one-size-fits-all approach rarely yields results when it comes to enhancing the performance of individuals...
4 min read
Most leaders know they should have difficult conversations – about performance, behaviour, or broken commitments – but many lie awake at 2am...
5 min read
You may have thought that you were promoted to a leadership position because:
5 min read
Listen to Audio Version Whether you are new to leading or you are leading a completely new team, there are certain things you need to do to increase...
4 min read
A weird and sad coincidence happened to me recently.
6 min read
Certainty is an admirable quality in a leader. But when times are tough and headwinds are rough, it takes a remarkable leader to remain flexible and...
5 min read
In my work, I have the privilege of coaching leaders across a vast spectrum of industries, organisational sizes, and stages of maturity. This...
4 min read
Whether we want to admit it or not, change is now a constant in our lives. Gone are the days when companies would embark on a change project. Now,...
4 min read
With the ever-changing landscape of business needs, business leaders must constantly adapt and readjust their strategies.
5 min read
High-performing leaders set themselves apart from average performers by implementing specific strategies and behaviours.
5 min read
I have a confession to make. When it comes to hosting a dinner party, I'm like an old-school 70s suburban housewife. I cook up everything myself from...
5 min read
Standing your ground with compassion and conviction is important for a leader. Yet, we often fall into a passive leadership style when we worry about...
4 min read
Leading oneself is the foundation upon which effective leadership is built. Without self-leadership, it becomes difficult to inspire and guide others...
4 min read
Emotionally intelligent leaders strive to support and uplift their teams in every possible way. However, when a well-meaning manager is overwhelmed...
4 min read
Delegation is a powerful leadership skill. Yet, most leaders don't receive adequate training in delegating effectively or don't fully understand it's...
4 min read
While it's common to assess employee performance based on tasks, uncovering hidden strengths can yield unexpected outcomes.
5 min read
Over the years, I have asked many effective leaders managers to share some of their biggest leadership misconceptions before they began their...
5 min read
A common stressful experience for most managers is learning how to deal with a boss or leader who is unpredictable.
5 min read
One on ones serve as a powerful tool for fostering stronger, more trusting relationships with each of your team members.
6 min read
With unexpected shifts in leadership, sudden layoffs, corporate restructures, and economic uncertainties, the workplace can quickly feel chaotic....
4 min read
Trust is often easy to build within teams.
5 min read
Trust might be a small word, but it is a big, complicated topic.
5 min read
As human beings, we crave clarity. And it's no wonder.
4 min read
It wasn't that long ago that anyone could be a leader. Work enough hours in a company and before long, you were tapped on the shoulder to lead a team.
5 min read
One of the wonderful things about working in a company with a variety of people is that you get to experience lots of different personality types.
5 min read
A CEO of a well-known Australian brand came to me to coach his CFO, Bill. Bill had been with the company for over thirty years and was proud that he...
4 min read
A common misperception of being a great leader is that you have to be a good person. A nice person.
5 min read
If there is one thing that both new and experienced managers or leaders worry about - it's having a performance conversation.
4 min read
One of the things I find fascinating about improving any sort of interpersonal or intrapersonal skill is that you have to start with yourself.
3 min read
Ask any secondary school student in their final years of schooling, what they need to do to achieve high grades and they will tell you that you have...
6 min read
Stepping into a leadership role - whether you are inherited an existing team or building one from scratch - is an exhilarating milestone. However, it...
5 min read
In my executive coaching and leadership development course, I work with a lot of new and seasoned leaders to build up their confidence and trust in...
5 min read
Great delegation is about being an accountability partner to help your reports grow their capabilities.
5 min read
Did you know that every fifth of a second your brain is scanning the environment to make sure you are safe? We are wired to seek safety and regularly...
4 min read
For decades, there has been a strong prevailing management belief to steer clear of employees' personal issues.
5 min read
According to Gallup, employees whose managers hold regular meetings with them are almost three times as likely to be engaged as employees whose...
5 min read
So you've just been elevated to the position of leading a brand new team - congratulations! No matter if this is your first time or you're a seasoned...
9 min read
Creating psychological safety in a team is critical for high performance. According to a Harvard Business Review article, studies show that...
8 min read
Imagine a workplace in dim light. Employees can't see one another properly or what work is being done. People become fearful, hold back from...
5 min read
We are currently in the midst of a silent transformation in the way work is being carried out. The convergence of inflation, the pandemic, and a...
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7 min read
Our brains are naturally wired to seek out certainty and a sense of safety.
5 min read
When faced with an employee who consistently falls short of meeting job expectations, what steps can you take to address the situation effectively?
4 min read
In today's fast-paced world, the value of being busy is deeply ingrained in both our personal and professional lives. We often feel the need to...
6 min read
As I talk about in my book, Trusted to Thrive: How leaders create connected and accountable teams (get a free chapter here), research has found two...
6 min read
Imagine an Olympian the night before their big race. They stay up late binge-watching TV, eating chips, and drinking beer. They wake up groggy, grab...
3 min read
It can be a game-changer for leaders to look at how much psychological safety and accountability they create in their teams.
5 min read
Recently, I have noticed a lot of my coaching clients are finding their roles difficult because of behaviours from the top.
5 min read
With a lot of business stressors currently in play, a lot of people are feeling uncertain about their future.
6 min read
How do you make the decision to trust others? That's the question that Jim Collins asked his mentor some years ago. Collins is a student and teacher...
6 min read
Around ten years ago, I used to belong to a CEO mastermind group that met regularly to discuss business issues.
6 min read
There comes a time for every manager when they have a direct report that they just don't know how to handle.
7 min read
One of the models I unpack in my book, Trusted to Thrive, (you can download a free chapter here) highlights four different team zones based on the...
4 min read
One of the regular things a leader will ask me for advice on is how to get one of their team members in alignment. This is particularly true for a...
6 min read
As human beings, when we join a new social group or team, we wonder about the hidden rules and team norms. We put our best selves forward, so we will...
5 min read
The pandemic has upended how we work and inspired us to reconsider our lives, as well as our workplace practices and norms.
3 min read
A study by Cornell University and Green Peak Partners wanted to uncover why 72 high performing CEOs running companies from $5 million to $50 billion...
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2 min read
Teams are where great work gets done.
7 min read
Have you ever heard about the surprisingly positive influence teachers have on students when they hold high expectations for their academic abilities?
5 min read
Teams are the engine rooms of an organisation. They are the spaces where cooperative components align to generate the power that moves a company...
7 min read
One of the big issues that has percolated to the top of most leader's wish lists is how to keep good people. They worry about what they need to do to...
7 min read
One of the issues with teams being in what I call, the Anxiety Zone, is while they can be great at getting things done to a high standard, there can...
6 min read
Leaders who help each of their employees feel valued for their contribution, supported to achieve challenging goals and clear on what they need to do...
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4 min read
Trust and leadership are inextricably linked. In both good and bad times, employees subconsciously evaluate their leaders to see that they are worthy...
4 min read
Over the last couple of years, record numbers of people have left their jobs around the world. Stress, burnout, toxic workplaces cultures and...
5 min read
Creating high performance teams requires a precise balance between psychological safety and accountability. When leaders foster an environment of...
6 min read
As we head into a new year with new goals and expectations, you might be finding that you are tasked with some stiff challenges with leading your...
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5 min read
The last couple of years have seen remarkable turbulence in both the global economy and workforces. The impact of COVID is still continuing to...
6 min read
As human beings, we are biologically programmed to want to be with people and work together, as we instinctively know it helps our survival. Yet,...
4 min read
The last couple of years have been exhausting. Throw in a pandemic, home schooling, managing COVID outbreaks (and that's just within your own...
5 min read
We all know the world of work is undergoing profound changes. What makes change difficult is that organisations, and leaders, are still applying a...
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2 min read
As human beings we all know how wonderful it feels to be trusted by your leader. Being able to trust your boss and being trusted is always rated in...
4 min read
According to a Gartner study, only 24% of hybrid and remote knowledge workers report feeling connected to their organisation’s culture.
5 min read
Over the last couple of months, you might have heard of a new workplace term called quiet quitting. A controversial phrase that started on TikTok...
5 min read
Today, most leaders theoretically understand the importance of honest, open discussions, so that that potential issues are flagged and important...
4 min read
Today's complex, fast-changing world features speed, complexity and dense interdependencies. Problem solving in real time and focusing on continuous...
6 min read
We are at a critical inflection point in workplaces today.
7 min read
Over the last two years, the pandemic has been a catalyst to reevaluate our lives and work. According to Gartner research, 65% of employees believe...
4 min read
Cast your mind back to when you last had a face-to-face meeting in your leadership or management team. What did you talk about? Typically, most...
6 min read
The world mourns the passing of the beloved Queen Elizabeth. Not just because of her title, her wealth, or even her fame. We mourn because of the...
5 min read
Consider an organisation that has had some sort of major public relations disaster such as bullying or sexual harassment allegations, CEO or...
4 min read
One of the common traps leaders make is falling into the belief that they need to prove they can do the work required, so they focus on the work to...
3 min read
One of the issues that leaders commonly grapple with is how to successfully balance two competing ideas. It is a skill that is both rare and...
8 min read
One of the lowest points in my life was when my market research career ended abruptly because of sociopaths who destroyed my reputation. I've never...
11 min read
One of the issues I always consider when CEOs come to me about improving trust in their leadership team is whether they have a sociopath in their...
9 min read
I have moved house four times in just over three years. You think that my family and I would be really good at moving, but there is always something...
4 min read
Sitting in front of me is Emma, a quietly spoken woman with dark hair that softly frames her face. She is nervous and avoiding eye contact with me....
5 min read
Meaningful work is something we all crave. When we understand the meaning in the work we do, it increases our engagement and intrinsic motivation....
4 min read
Imagine a management team that has had a tough few years - dwindling revenue, archaic systems and processes that need an expensive overhaul and...
3 min read
For many leaders, managing trust in their teams is challenging because there are three different forces at play.
3 min read
One of the challenges with being a leader is balancing cultivating a friendly, warm environment, while holding employees accountable to get more done...
2 min read
We all thrive when we feel trusted and when we trust others. Trust is an emotion that's difficult to explain why it's important to us. These trust in...
3 min read
Have you ever had a conversation with a boss and their reaction or language changed how you felt about them in that moment?
4 min read
If you do a search on LInkedIn for Trusted Leader, you'll find around 1 million people have the audacity to label themselves "Trusted Advisor,"...
3 min read
Did you know that only 1 in 10 senior leaders trust their peers to deliver all of the time?
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5 min read
Did you know that one out of every two managers is terrible at accountability? According to a study published in Harvard Business Review that...
4 min read
One of the common issues companies have to deal with are silos forming between departments.
4 min read
Executives spend their career delivering in their area of expertise. Once they get into the leadership team, it’s no longer about how their function...
4 min read
Trust may be a small word, but it is incredibly complex. It means different things to different people. How we see trust is based on our life...
4 min read
One of the interesting things I get to do is undertake stakeholder interviews with various members of the leadership team and other stakeholders...
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3 min read
Imagine a workplace in dim light. Employees can't see one another properly or what work is being done. People become fearful, hold back from...
3 min read
One of the things that I strongly believe in, that I mention in my book, Trusted to Thrive, is how leaders make a huge difference in making people...
3 min read
In the December 2021 issue of Harvard Business Review, an article by Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez called The Project Economy has Arrived discussed how...
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3 min read
As a leader, your job is to create an environment where people work together in service of a shared goal - a high achievement environment where...
2 min read
For many leaders, managing trust in their teams is a challenge because there are three different trust forces at play. These can be either supportive...
Excited to announce my book launch party. It's going to be a fun event with networking, learning, story-telling and prizes.
3 min read
The pandemic has been a game-changer in so many aspects. In the workplace, it has really crystallised what we want in our work experience.
3 min read
If you have gone to Business School or studied economics, you would have been taught that humans are self-interested creatures who like to do minimal...
4 min read
As humans, we want to be with other humans and be part of something bigger and better than we can create on our own.
2 min read
Two-Thirds Of Australian Professionals Worked From Home, Revealing Need For Increased Trust Leadership In The Workplace
3 min read
Last week, I was facilitating a workshop with senior leaders in a school leadership team. The workshop involved some deep, uncomfortable work about...
3 min read
Earlier this week, a devastating tornado struck Edwardsville, Illinois - killing 100 people. The death toll also included six people working in an...
3 min read
When an organisation has experienced market success for a sustained duration, it is common for CEOs and some executive team members to assume the top...
3 min read
Everything is a product of evolution. Businesses go through cycles and need the right executives working at the right level for the business at that...
3 min read
There has been a lot of talk lately about The Great Resignation. A global trend that is seeing a significant number of employees leave their job...
2 min read
Today’s fast-changing world features speed, complexity and dense interdependencies. The ability to problem solve and adapt in real time is critical,...
5 min read
In my Integrated Trust Building System, that gets unpacked in the book, Trusted to Thrive, at the intersection between connection and meaningful...
4 min read
We are living in unusual times. World over, people are exhausted, depleted and anxious about the future. The constant uncertainty that we are all...
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3 min read
There is no doubt that COVID has changed our workplaces forever. Things will never go back to business as usual. All of us have been changed -...
6 min read
In last week's article, I talked about why you need to love one-on-ones. They really are such a powerful trust and connection building tool with your...
4 min read
One-on-ones meetings might seem like a management fad, but the truth is they are one of the most effective ways to build trust with your direct...
4 min read
We have all heard of micromanagement - and how negative it can be to building trust in teams. But what about under-management?
3 min read
If you are like a lot of people around the world, life might seem pretty hard right now.
4 min read
One of the traits of achievement zone leaders is that they love receiving feedback. They use it to improve how they work and those around them.
4 min read
If we want to lead our teams into the achievement zone, we need to lead ourselves there first.
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5 min read
In my post last week, I talked about how one of the hardest skills to manage as a leader is our ability to trust ourselves.
3 min read
Back in 2014, I decided to step out of the family business I had built up with my husband and start my own company centred on trust (Trustologie®).
5 min read
Congratulations! If you are like a lot of people right now, you might have recently accepted a new job, received a promotion or you're actively...
3 min read
As humans, we want to be with other humans and be part of something bigger and better than we can create on our own. We love been part of an...
3 min read
In the book, TRUSTED TO THRIVE, it talks about how we are biologically programmed to want to be with people and work together, as we instinctively...
3 min read
You can tell whether a man is clever by his answers. You can tell whether a man is wise by his questions.
2 min read
We are biologically programmed to look out at the world and determine whether we can trust those around us. But we aren’t designed to look at...
4 min read
If there is one insult that a manager dreads, it would have to be being called a micromanager. It sends an implicit message of distrust, creating a...
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5 min read
Building workplace trust has become more important than ever before.
4 min read
We all love positive leaders - CEOs and executives who paint an exciting, coherent vision of the future. Such enthusiasm can be contagious.
3 min read
We all know how wonderful it is to be around positive people. Optimism is contagious. People are naturally drawn to visionary leaders who paint an...
4 min read
In the last couple of articles, we have discussed how to move your team out of the anxiety and abatement zones, in order to get them into the...
6 min read
Last week, I talked about how to get teams out of anxiety and into achievement through five steps. Foundational to all of them was the need for...
5 min read
Leading a high performance team is a bit like a team leader taking their team on an exhilarating elevator ride to the 100th floor of a building.
3 min read
One of the things I get to do in my job is interview employees about what their senior leadership team or organisation needs to do, in order for them...
3 min read
Recently, one of the biggest complaints that I have been hearing about leaders is how a lack of self-awareness is impacting their performance....
3 min read
Workplaces tend to have lots of interdependencies, complexity and unknowns that change daily. High achievement leaders provide their team with...
3 min read
An interesting comment that I often get from leaders is that employee engagement results often don't explain team performance. Some teams have high...
4 min read
Thanks to bad experiences, a cynical society or even the way we were brought up, we tend to search for people’s faults. Without being aware of it, we...
3 min read
We are biologically wired to want to be with other people. It is a deep human need to feel like we belong and fundamental to human motivation.
5 min read
In today’s fast-paced world, we often don’t have the luxury of time to build trust for time-sensitive projects. The ability to react quickly and...
3 min read
Every single moment our brains are scanning our environment and calculating whether we can trust the people around us. At work, we need to feel...
4 min read
“Organisations learn only through individuals who learn.” Peter Senge, MIT
5 min read
Humans are designed to avoid conflict. Employees fear speaking up about issues in case it makes them look stupid or unpopular. Having the courage to...
4 min read
Thousands of years ago, when humans roamed the African savannah, it was in our best interests to live in tribes. Being part of a tribe allowed us to...
2 min read
According to Steven Bell, senior associate with law firm Freehills, in January 2012 the new Australian OHS laws will expect companies to drive safety...
4 min read
Today’s ever changing workplace, features increasing speed, complexity and dense interdependencies. Over the last century, work has transitioned from...
2 min read
As Abraham Maslow taught in his Hierarchy of Needs, we can’t concern ourselves with higher goals (self-mastery and purpose) until we have the...
5 min read
Have you ever started a new job or worked with a new team and realised that you needed to build trust quickly? Building trust and managing it long...
Okay - SO maybe that's not what the podcast interview was meant to be about for Candour Communication. But somehow, I managed to let that one slip.
2 min read
If you're like most people, you woke up on New Year's Day tired, groggy and maybe hungover. But also with some sort of goal that you had proclaimed...
