Canopy

Helping leaders achieve their vision. Coaching, advising, and leadership development programs + tools that closes the gap between strategy and execution.

[Canopy @Canopy_is]

You *want* to help your team, but know asking, "How can I help?" keeps landing flat and getting you nowhere.

24 questions you can ask instead: https://t.co/JvIHkjcUr1

[Canopy @Canopy_is]

How do you lead well when you’re also friends with the person? https://t.co/eQ56f5quAf

[Canopy @Canopy_is]

What do you do as a leader when someone on your team starts to underperform, and you're not entirely sure why or how to help them?

Read the full piece here:
https://t.co/e4kQ9I0XOl

[Canopy @Canopy_is]

"I need my team to perform at a higher level, but I'm terrified of pushing them over the edge."

Our latest newsletter on how to raise performance without burning out your team:
https://t.co/aXYetf8Jqw

[Canopy @Canopy_is]

The hardest part about giving feedback as a leader usually isn’t knowing you should say something. (It’s that moment of: “Oof… I probably need to say something.”)

The hard part is knowing HOW to say it in a way that’s actually received — with care, clarity, and a real chance of change.

In today’s post, our CEO Claire Lew shares 7 common scenarios where feedback often gets softened, stalled, or skipped — and how to say the thing without losing trust.

She covers situations like:

– A high performer who’s quietly coasting
– A team member with legitimate excuses… but repeated misses
– A manager who thinks they’re empowering — but is actually absent

…plus a few others you’ll likely recognize immediately.

Read the full post here:

https://t.co/jtTavXmN5f

[Canopy @Canopy_is]

"No promotions available" doesn't have to be a dead end.

Our CEO Claire Lew just published a piece on how to enable growth and engagement for your team when promotions and raises aren't on the table.

While many companies aren't in scaling mode right now, the most effective leaders aren't letting that stop them from creating meaningful growth for their top performers.

In her article, Claire shares the framework these leaders are using to transcend the traditional "work hard, move up" promise:

🔵 Discover what truly drives your best people (it's rarely just the title)

🔵 Create rich development within existing roles that's more meaningful than a simple promotion

🔵 Connect individual contributions to larger impact that gives work deeper purpose

🔵 Design recognition opportunities that provide the visibility your top performers crave

🔵 Build skill development with clear milestones that showcase measurable growth

As Claire notes: "Your most valuable currency as a leader isn't titles or compensation packages — it's your ability to see what truly drives each person on your team."

The leaders implementing this approach are seeing remarkable results: top performers who feel more engaged and invested, even without traditional advancement.

Read the full piece to transform your next career conversation:

https://t.co/r4b8WdaGao

[Canopy @Canopy_is]

One of the hardest challenges we face as managers is being the "interpreter" between executive vision and team execution.

But simply parroting executive language to your team rarely leads to meaningful action or buy-in.

Our CEO Claire Lew shares a 5-step framework for turning vague executive directives into clear team action without losing momentum or trust, in today's newsletter:

https://t.co/Sk68eFtPvC

[Canopy @Canopy_is]

One of the things we tend to be worst at as leaders is actually admitting when we're wrong.

For example, sometimes, when we mess up, we do one of several things:

- Use passive voice to deflect responsibility: “Mistakes were made."
- Subtly shift blame to others: "I was advised by my team"
- Buy time, without admitting fault: "We're looking into it"

But these are just non-apologies, not a real apology.

How to avoid making a non-apology? Our CEO Claire Lew writes about this on The Heartbeat newsletter today:

https://t.co/In7POKYPkn

[Canopy @Canopy_is]

Are you accidentally pushing your best employee out the door?

Our CEO @clairejlew just published a piece exploring how leaders unintentionally punish their top performers –– often without realizing they're doing it.

She breaks down the four hidden behaviors that drive top talent away:

🔵 Not having a clear vision (or not communicating it)
🔵 Overloading without offloading
🔵 Asking them to do your job while still doing theirs
🔵 Assuming you know what motivates them

Read the full piece here:
https://t.co/V37JD8AVsL

[Canopy @Canopy_is]

Ever wonder why your team isn't performing the way you expected? After coaching thousands of leaders over the past decade, our CEO Claire Lew discovered a hard truth: Sometimes WE are the problem.

In her latest piece in our newsletter, she shares the 10 biggest leadership blindspot based on 10 years of research.

Read the full piece here:
https://t.co/b7dqCAMXxE

[Canopy @Canopy_is]

"How do we create a sense of stability for our teams during periods of significant change?"

In our CEO Claire Lew's newsletter from today, she shares four evidence-based approaches:

𝟭. 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Establishing consistent communication rhythms and transparent scenario planning gives teams a framework they can rely on, even when outcomes aren't guaranteed.

𝟮. 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆: Making the "why" behind changes explicit and outlining concrete next steps prevents team members from filling information gaps with worst-case scenarios.

𝟯. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹: Identifying areas where teams can maintain choice and autonomy helps counteract the powerlessness often felt during significant organizational shifts.

𝟰. 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲: Demonstrating authentic organizational support through accountability, space for processing, and genuine availability builds trust when it's needed most.

Read the full article here:
https://t.co/y3jSDvR7s8

[Canopy @Canopy_is]

Most workplace miscommunication isn't about what's said, it's about what's heard.

When a leader says "Things are evolving," do they mean:

(A) You might be getting promoted
(B) The team is undergoing changes
(C) Performance expectations are shifting

It's hard to say 😅 Our Founder & CEO @clairejlew writes about this in her newsletter this week, and breaks down the exact 3 principles for clearer workplace communication, to avoid things getting lost in translation.

Read the full piece here 👇
https://t.co/xXdylirBzA

[Canopy @Canopy_is]

Ever felt like a tube of toothpaste being squeezed from both ends?

As a leader, you're caught between being a "player" (tactical work) and a "coach" (team development). The pressure builds, time feels scarce, and balance seems impossible.

After working with thousands of leaders, our founder & CEO @clairejlew discovered there's a better way to handle this tension. (Hint: It's not about finding the perfect mix.)

Read the piece in full here 👇

https://t.co/mq7Q8t7Pxf

[Canopy @Canopy_is]

Still reeling from the incredible in-person 1-day manager retreat we hosted for 40 leaders last week. Some of the topics our CEO @clairejlew covered included...

🟢 Managing time + priorities as a leader
🟢 Leading through change
🟢 Holding effective performance conversations
🟢 Charting a vision + making 2025 the best year yet

There are few things as invigorating as getting together, in person, especially as a remote company, and having deep time to PRACTICE these skills with peers.

Grateful for the energy and attention that the participating leaders brought to the session -- our cup is full!

[Canopy @Canopy_is]

New from our CEO @clairejlew : The Leadership Trap of "Getting Back to Normal"

In the rush to build momentum in 2025, many leaders are falling into an all-too-common pattern: Mistaking maintenance for progress.

Drawing insights from conversations with Pixar's first Director of Culture and senior leaders across industries, this week's newsletter breaks down:

🔸 The critical difference between motion and momentum
🔸 A counterintuitive approach to doing "more"
🔸 How to maintain focus without sacrificing flexibility

Read the full insights in our latest newsletter to start your year with intention, not just intensity 👇
https://t.co/twbDEZOxR7

[Canopy @Canopy_is]

Planning for 2025?

For folks in learning & development, our CEO @clairejlew shares some specifics on what she's noticed most L&D strategies overlook – and what to do instead.

Read her thoughts in full here:
https://t.co/PkNIsCzsHg

[Canopy @Canopy_is]

"What is my role as a leader this week?

Should I say anything to my team about the US elections, as a leader? Should I not?"

Our CEO @clairejlew gives her take on this complex question here: https://t.co/uj0ISm4qE1