Success Labs was recently named to the LSU One Hundred’s list of fastest-growing graduate-led companies. It’s an honor we don’t take lightly. For us, the value of this recognition isn’t the award itself; it’s what it represents for the leaders and organizations we serve. “We’re growing because clients are winning, with clearer priorities, stronger teams, […]

by Adrian Owen Jones Gallup’s Global Leadership Report The conversation around effective leadership often centers on what leaders should do—set vision, drive results, make tough decisions. But Gallup’s Global Leadership Report flips this narrative by asking a more fundamental question: What do followers actually need from their leaders?  The findings from this unprecedented study of […]

At Success Labs, we’ve spent decades coaching and developing leaders at every level—from talented individual contributors to high-potential managers to future CEOs. One question we’re often asked is:

It’s easy to imagine that some people are just “natural leaders.” And yes, some come with confidence, charisma, or quick decision-making baked in. But we believe great leadership is learned. Over and over again.

By: Adrian Jones What I’ve Learned About Leading With Curiosity Instead of Control There was a time when I thought leadership meant decisiveness: knowing the plan, communicating it clearly, and sticking to it. But the more I worked with high-performing teams in fast-moving environments, the more I realized something important: it’s not about having all […]

By: Melissa Thompson How to Communicate Like a Leader I. Introduction Many leaders carry this belief: “If I explain myself clearly, that should be enough.” But clarity alone isn’t the whole equation—how a message lands often matters more than how it’s delivered. Effective communication is a necessary part of leading. It shapes how messages are […]

Many leaders carry this quiet belief: If I want it done right, I need to do it myself. I see it all the time in my work, especially with high performers who’ve recently stepped into leadership roles. They’ve been promoted because they’re great at getting things done, but they’re still holding onto too much and are hesitant to delegate.

Most new leaders are promoted because they know how to get things done. They take pride in their work. They exceed expectations. And they often have a specific way they like things done because it produces results.

June hits differently. 

The Q1 buzz is long gone, Q4 still feels forever away, and for many teams, motivation starts dragging. If you’re feeling that dip in energy, you’re not alone—and neither is your team.

We’re halfway through the year. The plans we made in January have either taken root, unraveled, or been quietly replaced by reality. It’s the perfect time to step back, recalibrate, and ask: Where are we now, and where are we going? 

A Mid-Year Reflection for Leaders Navigating the Unexpected 

You started 2025 with a plan.
Maybe even a color-coded one. A word of the year. A fresh planner. A set of goals that made you feel like this was finally going to be your year.

At Success Labs, we work with leaders who care deeply about results—and equally about people. That’s why we’re challenging the outdated belief that overwhelm is simply the cost of doing business.

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s talk about something many teams feel but few have the language for: burnout. What is it really? What does the science say? And how can we recognize and prevent it—before it costs us our health, our people, or our purpose?

Physical space matters profoundly at work. Have you heard of “hoteling” at work? It’s a practice where employees don’t have assigned workspaces but instead “check out” a desk for the day. These spaces come equipped with a desk, a monitor, and a place to plug in a laptop. However, employees must pack in, and pack out, everything else they need to work. It reminds me of staying in a hotel. While a hotel room technically provides everything I “need,” I never feel comfortable. I don’t sleep as well, I struggle to focus, and I long to return home. I wonder, “How productive and effective are employees in hoteling setups? Do they want, as I do, to just go home?”