Articles & Insights

Welcome to the Ember & Oak Articles & Insights library, where leadership meets action.

Here, you’ll find two types of content: Original Articles and Curated Highlights featuring standout research, industry trends, and thought leadership from across the leadership and feedback landscape. Each piece is selected or written to spark growth, challenge thinking, and equip you to lead with clarity and courage.

Clayton Thompson 6/22/25 Clayton Thompson 6/22/25

Leading from Fire and Root: The Ember & Oak Way

A team gathered in a bright, modern office shares a moment of connection and clarity—an Ember & Oak Leadership visual symbolizing the balance of warmth and competence that defines effective, human-centered leadership.

Clayton Thompson 6/14/25 Clayton Thompson 6/14/25

The Feedback Loop That Actually Works: How Great Leaders Build Cultures of Safety and Growth

Clayton Thompson 6/13/25 Clayton Thompson 6/13/25

The Boat Was the Goal: What a Caribbean Story Taught Me About Leadership, Feedback, and Success

Clayton Thompson 6/2/25 Clayton Thompson 6/2/25

3 Feedback Lessons from David Solomon’s Tenure at Goldman Sachs: What the controversy around internal dissent reveals about leadership in high-performance cultures

Clayton Thompson 5/26/25 Clayton Thompson 5/26/25

5 Signs Your Feedback Culture Is Holding Your Team Back

Is your feedback system helping your team grow, or holding them back? Learn five warning signs and how to turn things around.

Clayton Thompson 5/28/19 Clayton Thompson 5/28/19

The 5 Reasons Why an Effective Feedback Program Is Crucial to Your Organization’s Success

A strong feedback program isn’t optional, it’s a strategic advantage. Discover five powerful reasons why feedback fuels growth, trust, and long-term performance.