by Mark S. Kenny | Apr 14, 2026 | Blog Posts Uncommon
I’ve stepped into teams before where you can feel it almost immediately. The leader is capable. The team is talented. On the surface, everything looks fine. But as the conversation unfolds, something is off. People are careful. They choose their words. Certain things... 
by Mark S. Kenny | Apr 8, 2026 | Blog Posts Uncommon
I’m in the middle of facilitating retreats this month, and I’m hearing a similar theme: “We’re under a lot of pressure. Things are changing. And we’re feeling it.” This is when collaboration matters more than ever. The natural inclination is to retreat into my own... 
by Mark S. Kenny | Apr 1, 2026 | Blog Posts Uncommon
There are moments when a leader, colleague, or direct report says something that doesn’t come out quite right. Examples: Someone speaks up in a meeting with an unpopular opinion. A leader finally says what needs to be said, and it comes out a little sideways. A... 
by Mark S. Kenny | Mar 25, 2026 | Blog Posts Uncommon
When teams feel “off,” we usually audit the strategy or work on communication. We look at the KPIs. We buy a new project management tool. But usually, the problem starts much deeper. The team has become guarded. When a team is guarded, they stop passing... 
by Mark S. Kenny | Mar 18, 2026 | Blog Posts Uncommon
Your meetings might be too polite. Most of us were taught to be polite, respectful, and not rock the boat. And it might be creating faux collaboration on your team. Some of the most fragmented teams I’ve seen have the most polite meetings. On the surface, everything... 