All of our Tough conversations articles

Your Startup’s Management Training Probably Sucks — Here’s How to Make it Better

Your Startup’s Management Training Probably Sucks — Here’s How to Make it Better

Plenty of startups leave manager training on the backburner until they become a bigger company — or try to fit it into a 30-minute lunch-and-learn. Melissa and Johnathan Nightingale, founders of Raw Signal Group, unpack why this is a mistake and outline their top tips for management training.
When it Comes to These Company Building Blocks, Borrow From Others — Advice From Thumbtack’s CEO

When it Comes to These Company Building Blocks, Borrow From Others — Advice From Thumbtack’s CEO

As Thumbtack CEO Marco Zappacosta tells it, sometimes your company is a special flower, and sometimes you should borrow from others. He shares his advice for how to tell the difference.
The 25 Micro-Habits of High-Impact Managers

The 25 Micro-Habits of High-Impact Managers

Sharp folks from across the First Round community share the small habits that great managers do, including delivering feedback with care, opening up about failure, and sending praise up the chain.
3 Rules for Building a More Caring Culture — This Chief People Officer Shares Lessons from Lambda School & InVision

3 Rules for Building a More Caring Culture — This Chief People Officer Shares Lessons from Lambda School & InVision

Mark Frein has served as Chief People Officer at Return Path, InVision, and now Lambda School. Here, he shares his approach to spinning up the people function, as well as tactical tips for creating a great employee experience, enabling a workforce that feels seen and heard, and making an environment
Following “Radical Candor,” Kim Scott is Back with Another Incredible Framework for “Just Work”

Following “Radical Candor,” Kim Scott is Back with Another Incredible Framework for “Just Work”

"Radical Candor" bestselling author Kim Scott's superpower is outlining simple tactics and straightforward frameworks to put big amorphous ideas into practice. In her latest book, "Just Work," she applies that tactical lens to workplace injustice.
When “Grin and Bear It” Isn't the Right Answer — This Behavioral Scientist Shares What to Do Instead

When “Grin and Bear It” Isn't the Right Answer — This Behavioral Scientist Shares What to Do Instead

Author and behavioral scientist Matt Wallaert shares how two studies (on holding a pen and carrying around a box of chocolate) can shape our outlook when we're faced with a crisis.
Struggling to Thrive as a Large Team Working Remotely? This Exec Has the Field Guide You Need

Struggling to Thrive as a Large Team Working Remotely? This Exec Has the Field Guide You Need

Maggie Leung built out the 80-person fully remote content team that's helped NerdWallet stand out. Here are her tips for executives who are now tasked with leading large teams working remotely for the first time.
This Founder Built Startups in 2008, 2016 and 2018. Here’s What He’s Learned About Resiliency

This Founder Built Startups in 2008, 2016 and 2018. Here’s What He’s Learned About Resiliency

Bob Moore's first brush with life as a founder started in 2008—three days before Lehman Brothers collapsed. Since he cut his teeth as a first-time founder in turbulent times, he's gone on to build two other companies. Here, Moore shares the lessons he's learned along the way.
Managers, Take Your 1:1 Meetings to the Next Level with These 6 Must Reads

Managers, Take Your 1:1 Meetings to the Next Level with These 6 Must Reads

1:1s aren't just line-items on every manager's to-do list—it's critical to make sure these weekly meetings are as impactful and effective as possible. Here's a collection of tactical tips from the Review archives to help you take meetings with your direct reports to the next level.