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The Thoughtful Leader:

Great leadership isn’t instinct—it’s insight in action. This blog explores the evidence behind the everyday choices that shape how we lead, work, and connect.

Evidence-Based Reflections on Work and Life

Woman with brown hair wearing a gray sweater, smiling thoughtfully with her finger on her chin, against a plain background.

Welcome to my corner of insight and inquiry.

This blog offers a glimpse into my evidence-based approach to leadership and negotiation. I root my insights in psychology, behavioral science, and real-world application. Each post reflects my belief that knowledge, when grounded in research and translated into practice, is not only powerful but transformative.

These reflections draw from both academic rigour and lived experience, offering thoughtful perspectives and practical strategies to help you gain clarity, elevate your impact, and build deeper, more meaningful relationships.

Thank you for being here on this journey toward becoming more informed, empowered, and socially attuned.

Enjoy,
Tatiana

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Leadership Reflections, High-Trust Teams Tatiana Astray Leadership Reflections, High-Trust Teams Tatiana Astray

Scaling Leadership Impact: Strategies, Stories, and Lessons from the Best

Leadership is not about doing it all; it’s about enabling others to succeed and amplifying your team’s collective impact. As John Maxwell famously said, “If you want to do a few small things right, do them yourself. If you want to do great things and make a big impact, learn to delegate.” Scaling as a leader requires prioritization, delegation, and an unwavering focus on what truly matters. Here, we’ll explore strategies for scaling leadership impact, share insights from prominent business leaders, and highlight practical steps to elevate your leadership game.

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Leadership Reflections Tatiana Astray Leadership Reflections Tatiana Astray

What Kindergarteners Can Teach Us About Leadership

What if some of the most valuable leadership lessons weren’t found in executive programs or strategic frameworks—but in the way a kindergartener explores the world?

A colleague recently shared a story: When asked what they would change about themselves, adults focused on physical traits—height, weight, appearance. But young children gave very different answers. They said things like “wings” or “the ability to fly.”

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Leadership Reflections, High-Trust Teams Tatiana Astray Leadership Reflections, High-Trust Teams Tatiana Astray

How to Deescalate Conflict: From Amygdala to Oxytocin, Unraveling the Neurobiology of Conflict Resolution

Conflict is an inevitable part of human interaction, and learning how to de-escalate conflicts is a crucial skill in fostering healthy relationships and maintaining a positive environment. In this blog post, we will explore effective strategies for de-escalating conflicts, incorporating scientific insights where applicable.

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Leadership Reflections, High-Trust Teams Tatiana Astray Leadership Reflections, High-Trust Teams Tatiana Astray

Decoding Conflict Resolution: A Scientific Exploration of the Engage, Fight, Fawn, Flight, and Freeze Defense Responses

Conflict is an inevitable facet of human interaction, and mastering the art of deescalation is pivotal for fostering healthy relationships and maintaining a positive environment. In this exploration, we delve into the scientific underpinnings of conflict, stress responses, and evidence-based strategies for deescalation.

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High-Trust Teams, Leadership Reflections Tatiana Astray High-Trust Teams, Leadership Reflections Tatiana Astray

Communication Tool: Assertive Confrontation and Boundary Setting with the DESO Script

“Raise your words, not voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder.” - Rumi

Conflicts arise from a variety of reasons, ranging from benign (e.g., misunderstandings) to malicious (e.g., deception). The key to dealing with conflict is knowing when to take a softer approach and seek understanding versus when to take an assertive approach and become explicit about your expectations and boundaries.

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Leadership Reflections, High-Trust Teams Tatiana Astray Leadership Reflections, High-Trust Teams Tatiana Astray

Communication Tools: Using "I- Statements" When Making Requests in Relationships

People are going to annoy you, disappoint you, and fall short. They won’t mean to, but they will. In these moments, you could stay silent and let resentment build (a lovely way to slowly deteriorate a relationship and frustrate yourself) or you could try to speak up and make a request. The issue with speaking up is that while you may have the best intentions if you communicate in a defensive non-effective manner, you will escalate a misunderstanding, hurt the people that you care about, and slowly degrade the quality of your relationships.

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READY TO TURN REFLECTION INTO ACTION?

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Visit the Thoughtful Leader Lab to start experimenting with your own leadership style.