Grief has a way of changing more than our understanding of loss. It can change the way we understand presence, relationships, leadership, and humanity itself. In this reflection, I explore what losing my mother has taught me about the people who show up, the people who do not, and why “being a good human” matters far more when life gets real.
Author Archives: Quackenbush Coaching
The Conversation You Didn’t Have Is Costing You More Than You Think
By Jewel Quackenbush, MCC “If you haven’t spoken with the person, you’ve only heard one version of the story, your own.” — Jewel Quackenbush There is one phrase that absolutely grinds my gears. “I just talked to her.” My response is almost always the same. “You actually talked to her? You picked up the phone?Continue reading “The Conversation You Didn’t Have Is Costing You More Than You Think”
The Benefit Nobody Talks About: Understanding the Human Cost of Health Insurance Decisions
What if healthcare benefits are one of the most important leadership decisions an organization makes? Inspired by conversations on Claim Talk, this article explores the human side of healthcare benefits, the hidden cost of disruption, and why leaders should think beyond premiums and plan design to consider the real-world impact on employees and their families.
When the Deadline Has to Catch Fire
Some people are not lazy. Their nervous systems are simply conditioned to activate under pressure. This article explores why certain high performers only fully engage when deadlines become urgent, how chronic emergency activation impacts the body and mind, and practical ways to begin rewiring the pattern for healthier, more sustainable performance.
AI Ethics for Leaders Who Are Tired, Curious, and Slightly Suspicious
AI fatigue is real, and so is the future of work. This article explores how leaders can use AI ethically, protect confidentiality, verify outputs, avoid bias, and stay human while learning to leverage new tools with wisdom and discernment.
Raising Children with Intention, Not Perfection
There is no perfect way to raise a child, and the sooner we let go of that idea, the more intentional we can become.
Parenting is not about having all the answers. It is about guiding a human being through real life, teaching them how to make decisions, respect boundaries, handle disappointment, and trust their voice.
We are not raising children to obey us in the moment. We are raising them to navigate life when we are no longer in the room.
And that requires more than love. It requires structure, honesty, humility, and the courage to say, “I don’t know, but we will figure it out together.”
Zero Bar
When your work is people, you give more than time, you give energy. In a world of constant giving, this reflection explores what happens when you are poured out and the importance of having something, or someone, that refills you.
The Weight of What We Avoid… and the Power of Finally Doing It
There’s always that one thing that follows you from list to list. Not because you can’t do it, but because it feels heavier than it should. Here’s what happened when I finally stopped avoiding mine.
Eggshells
Unpredictable leadership creates environments where people walk on eggshells at work and at home. Here is what it costs and how to shift it.
The AWEsome Power of Women
Women have quietly shaped history for centuries through invention, leadership, courage, and resilience. In this Women’s History Month reflection, Jewel Quackenbush honors the global legacy of women, the strength of community, and the powerful future being built by the next generation.