Dr. Carolyn Frost

A toxic manager ruins your life. A great one changes it.

Here's how to tell the difference:

You likely spend more waking hours with your manager than your family.

That relationship shapes your stress levels, confidence, and energy every single day.

Subtle ways to spot the difference between a toxic manager and a great one (before it's too late):

1. When Things Go Wrong
🚩 Red Flag: They blame you for their poor planning
✅ Green Flag: They take responsibility and ask “How can I support you?“

2. How They Manage You
🚩 Red Flag: They micromanage every detail of your work
✅ Green Flag: They give you autonomy and trust your judgment

3. The Work Environment They Create
🚩 Red Flag: They create unnecessary urgency and chaos
✅ Green Flag: They shield you from organizational drama and politics

4. Credit and Recognition
🚩 Red Flag: They take credit for your wins, blame you for failures
✅ Green Flag: They advocate for you and share credit publicly

5. Their Daily Behavior
🚩 Red Flag: They're inconsistent with mood and expectations
✅ Green Flag: You know what to expect and feel psychologically safe

6. How They Handle Your Ideas
🚩 Red Flag: They dismiss your ideas without consideration
✅ Green Flag: They listen first, then provide thoughtful feedback

7. After-Hours Contact
🚩 Red Flag: They contact you outside work hours expecting responses
✅ Green Flag: They respect your boundaries and model healthy habits

8. Their Focus on You
🚩 Red Flag: They focus only on what you're doing wrong
✅ Green Flag: They develop your strengths and invest in your growth

You don’t just work for your manager.
You live with their impact.

What's the biggest red flag you've experienced with a manager?

--

♻️ Repost to help your network recognize healthy workplace dynamics

🔔 Follow Dr. Carolyn Frost for more strategies to thrive in your career

Your title doesn't make you a success.

How you choose to treat others does.

It's easy to focus on status symbols, thinking credentials equal respect.

But this leads to:
— Surface level connections
— Missed opportunities for impact
— Success that feels empty

True impact happens in smaller moments.

Start here 👇

1) Make others feel seen
↳ Use their name when saying thank you
↳ Reference details they shared last time you talked

2) Create safe spaces
↳ Speak up for absent teammates
↳ Welcome silence in hard moments

3) Give credit freely
↳ Tag others in wins they contributed to
↳ Tell their manager about their hidden wins

4) Build trust daily
↳ Turn “I'll get back to you“ into “here it is“
↳ Finish what you start, without reminders

5) Leave people better
↳ End every interaction with encouragement
↳ Find one specific thing to compliment daily

Your title might impress for a moment.
How you treat others lasts forever ✨

Which small action will you start with today?

--

♻️ Repost to help your network build authentic success

🔔 Follow Dr. Carolyn Frost for more on creating impact that matters

Emotional Intelligence isn’t taught, it’s practiced.

12 Real World EQ signs + tips to boost it:


EQ isn’t something you’re born with, it’s something you practice.

These 12 signs will help you gauge where you’re at and how you can improve.

1. Stay calm when a coworker loses their temper.
↳Focus on the problem (not the emotion) to find a solution.

2. Sense when a friend needs space without them saying it.
↳Pay attention to non-verbal cues like body language or tone of voice.

3. Manage frustration without taking it out on others.
↳Step away from the situation to collect your thoughts.

4. Check in with yourself regularly to understand your feelings.
↳Set a daily reminder to pause and ask yourself how you’re feeling.

5. Set boundaries that protect your energy in relationships.
↳Take time for yourself without feeling guilty. ✨

6. Listen to understand, not just to respond.
↳Pause after someone speaks before offering a reply.

7. Apologize sincerely and accept responsibility for your actions.
↳Say “I’m sorry” without excuses, and mean it.

8. Understand bad days don’t define people.
↳Avoid making assumptions based on a single day.

9. Navigate uncomfortable conversations with compassion.
↳Approach conversations with empathy, put yourself in their shoes.

10. Recognize overwhelm and step back when needed.
↳Prioritize tasks by what’s truly important, not just urgent.

11. Encourage others to express emotions, even when it’s hard.
↳Validate their emotions by listening without offering solutions right away.

12. Let go of grudges and move forward without resentment.
↳Practice forgiveness (even if the other person hasn’t apologized - this is next level!).

Mastering EQ isn’t about perfection, it’s about building awareness and compassion in your everyday life.

Which one are you working on?

--

♻️ Repost to boost your network's EQ

🔔 Follow me Dr. Carolyn Frost for more insights on the power of EQ in your daily life

You're about to lose your star performer.

Here's exactly how you're doing it:

The real danger isn't disengagement.

It's silent resentment.

Most loyal employees won't complain. They'll keep showing up, hitting deadlines, saying “I'm fine.“

Until one day, they're not.
And you won't even see it coming.

Here's exactly how it happens 👇🏼

1) They stop volunteering for extra work
↳ The first sign of self-preservation kicking in

2) Their enthusiasm noticeably drops
↳ They're emotionally detaching to protect themselves

3) They start setting small boundaries
↳ Testing if you'll respect their limits or push harder

4) They become less available after hours
↳ Rebuilding the energy reserves you've been draining

5) They stop bringing solutions, just problems
↳ They've shifted from ownership to bare minimum

6) They give shorter, more formal responses
↳ Professional distance before physical distance

7) They update their LinkedIn profile
↳ The digital equivalent of one foot out the door

They won't tell you they're done.
You'll just notice they've stopped caring.

Which warning sign have you noticed in your workplace?

--
♻️ Repost to help your network recognize the signs before it's too late

🔔 Follow Dr. Carolyn Frost for more on creating workplaces where people thrive

Everyone's fighting to stand out at work.

But the real power move? Lifting others up.

Everyone's fighting to be seen in the spotlight.

- Talking over others
- Dominating discussions
- Always having the final word

But there's a hidden currency in every room that the truly successful understand.

Your greatest impact isn't about being recognized.
It comes from recognizing others ✨

7 simple ways to create meaningful impact by elevating others:

1) The Idea Builder
↳ “Building on Jamie's excellent point...“
↳ Shows you value contributions enough to expand them

2) The Meeting Prep
↳ Give people advance notice to share their thoughts
↳ Creates opportunities for introverts to shine

3) The Power Pause
↳ Count to 3 silently before responding
↳ Builds credibility through deliberate attention

4) The Full Attention (this one is KEY ✨)
↳ Put your phone away and close your laptop
↳ Shows others they matter more than distractions

5) The Opinion Request
↳ Ask “Your thoughts?“ before stating your opinion
↳ Transforms hierarchy into partnership instantly

6) The Strategic Credit
↳ Mention absent colleagues' contributions by name
↳ Creates advocates who reciprocate when you're absent

7) The Comfortable Silence
↳ Stay present without filling uncomfortable pauses
↳ Creates space for resolution rather than quick fixes

True presence isn't measured by the attention you get.
But by how much attention you consciously give ✨

Which move will you try this week? Share below!

--

♻️ Repost to help your network build authentic influence

🔔 Follow Dr. Carolyn Frost for more strategies to succeed with intention

Some want to see you win. Others need you to stay small.

Here's exactly how to spot the difference 👇🏼

- That colleague who says 'Congrats!' but seems off?
- The friend who changes the subject when you share good news?

Your instinct is right.

Trust it.

5 signs someone is sabotaging, not supporting you ⚡️

1) They add a “but“ to every congratulation
↳ “Amazing news! But don't you worry about the extra workload?“
↳ Real support sounds like: “This is incredible! How are you celebrating?“

2) They remind you of past failures when you succeed
↳ “Hope this works out better than your last project“
↳ Real support focuses on the present: “You've earned every bit of this“

3) They share your news with a subtle negative spin
↳ Telling others: “She got the promotion, guess they needed someone quickly“
↳ Real support amplifies your success: “She landed that role she's been working toward“

4) They offer “help“ you never asked for
↳ “Let me show you how to handle this so you don't mess up“
↳ Real support asks: “What do you need from me to make this even better?“

5) Their enthusiasm disappears the moment others leave
↳ Animated in the group chat, cold in private conversations
↳ Real support is consistent whether public or private

The quality of your success depends on the quality of your circle.
Choose carefully.

And remember... you also get to be the supporter you wish you had during your biggest moments ✨

📌 Get in the room with people who push you forward, not pull you back in THRIVE.

First live session is 4/29.

Don't wait on your success.

Details here: https://lnkd.in/eUmmUVpw

--

♻️ Repost to help your network recognize who's truly celebrating their success

🔔 Follow Dr. Carolyn Frost for more on building a circle that celebrates your growth instead of resenting it

Your title doesn't make you respected.

Your character does.

Respect isn't built in boardrooms or annual reviews.

It's built in the small moments most people ignore:

1) Morning Connection
↳ Use people's names when you greet them. “Good morning, Maria“ hits differently than “hey“

2) Question Upgrading
↳ Replace “Any questions?“ with “What would be most helpful for you right now?“

3) Mistake Reframing
↳ Start feedback with “I noticed...“ instead of “You always...“ or “You never...“

4) Celebration Habits
↳ Screenshot achievements and send them to the person with a note: “Saw this - well done!“

5) Energy Investment
↳ Give people your full attention for 2 min rather than distracted time for 20

Respect isn't demanded.
It's quietly earned, one interaction at a time ✨

Which micro-moment will you practice today?

--

♻️ Repost to help your network build authentic respect

🔔 Follow me Dr. Carolyn Frost for more on creating impact that matters

Your title doesn't make you a success.

Being easy to work with does.

This isn't just a work skill.
It's a life skill.

7 ways to be easy to work with (and live with) ✨

1) Listen before you speak
↳ At work: “Help me understand your perspective“
↳ At home: Put the phone down when someone's talking to you

2) Make others feel heard
↳ At work: “So you're saying...“ before responding
↳ At home: “That sounds frustrating“ before trying to fix

3) Share credit generously
↳ At work: “Thanks to [name] for making this possible“
↳ At home: “I couldn't do this without your support“

4) Stay calm when others can't
↳ At work: Lower your voice when tensions rise
↳ At home: Take a breath before reacting to difficult news

5) Admit when you don't know
↳ At work: “I'll find out by end of day“
↳ At home: “You know what? I was wrong about that“

6) Ask questions that help others think
↳ At work: “What would success look like?“
↳ At home: “What do you think would help?“ instead of jumping to solutions

7) Remember what matters to them
↳ At work: Ask about their weekend plans
↳ At home: Remember the little things they mentioned

The most valuable skill isn't on your resume.
It's how people feel when they're with you ✨

Which habit changes everything for you today?

--

♻️ Repost to help your network master the skill that matters most

🔔 Follow me Dr. Carolyn Frost for more strategies that create success at work and peace at home

That pit in your stomach about starting over?

It's not fear. It's these 3 lies:

The biggest barrier to your fresh start?

It's not time, money, or skill.
It's stories you've been sold.

3 lies about starting over (and what to do instead) 👇🏼

1. You'll lose all your progress
↳ Create a Success Inventory of 3 transferable skills
↳ Schedule 2 coffee chats with people who've switched
↳ Start a Victory File of wins for moments of self-doubt

2. It's too late to switch
↳ Block 2 hours this week for industry research
↳ Sign up for one free course to test the waters
↳ Set a 30 day micro-goal instead of a 5 year plan

3. You should stick with what's safe
↳ Calculate your Staying Cost for one more year
↳ Create a 3 month emergency fund for peace of mind
↳ Build a side project that excites you (just 15 mins/day)

Your next chapter isn't about starting from scratch.
It's about building from experience ✨

What's one lie about starting over you're ready to let go of?

--

♻️ Repost to support your network's next bold move

🔔 Follow Dr. Carolyn Frost more strategies to build a life that energizes you

Image: theopeninvite

The hidden reason they don't take you seriously.

12 simple phrases for instant respect 👇🏼

I used to soften everything I said.

Just to sound nice, not too much, not too assertive.

Turns out, it just made me sound unsure.

These 12 tiny phrase shifts can change everything ✨
(Hint: Write out your 3 favorite - use them often)

1) “I'll deliver this by Thursday at 3pm“
❌ “I'll try to get this done“
↳ Shows you're reliable, not uncertain

2) “I'm following up on our conversation about X“
❌ “I just wanted to follow up“
↳ Gets straight to the point

3) “Thanks for making time“
❌ “Sorry to bother you“
↳ Shows confidence instead of doubt

4) “Based on what I know right now...“
❌ “I'm not sure, but...“
↳ Sounds knowledgeable despite limits

5) “I recommend we...“
❌ “I think maybe we could...“
↳ Shows you're decisive

6) “What questions do you have?“
❌ “Does that make sense?“
↳ Opens the door for clarity

7) “Here's what could work instead...“
❌ “That won't work because...“
↳ Focuses on solutions not problems

8) “My pleasure“ or “Happy to help“
❌ “No problem“
↳ Shows you wanted to help

9) “I'm focusing on three key deadlines this week“
❌ “I'm swamped“
↳ Shows you manage your time well

10) “I'll explore our options and get back to you by EOD“
❌ “Let me check if that's possible“
↳ Takes charge of finding answers

11) “What if we...“
❌ “You need to...“
↳ Invites teamwork instead of demands

12) “That's not among my top priorities this week“
❌ “I don't have time for that“
↳ Shows you make choices, not excuses

Speak like you belong at the table.
Because you do ⚡️

📌📌 Ready to transform your professional presence?

Join THRIVE today and master the exact communication strategies that command respect.

Only 4 Founding Member spots remain - secure yours today.

We kick it off 4/22. Don't miss out.

Details here: https://lnkd.in/eUmmUVpw

--

♻️ Repost to help your network build their impact in every conversation

🔔 Follow Dr. Carolyn Frost for more strategies to create impact and success

Your rest habits are killing your potential.\n\n7 types of rest that change everything:\n\nYou've normalized exhaustion\nMade burnout your baseline\nTrained your body to run on empty\n\nBut peak performers know: \n\nStrategic rest isn't weakness. \nIt's your competitive advantage.\n\n7 types of rest that transform everything ⚡\n\n1) Mental Rest \n↳ Write down thoughts for 2 minutes, then close notebook \n↳ Change physical spaces between big tasks\n↳ Block 20 minutes for complete digital silence daily\n\n2) Physical Rest \n↳ Feet up wall for 5 minutes (set a timer) \n↳ Roll shoulders while filling water bottle\n↳ Stand and stretch arms overhead between every call\n\n3) Emotional Rest \n↳ Name emotions when triggered \n↳ Place hand on chest, count 5 breaths\n↳ Step outside for 2 minutes between meetings\n\n4) Social Rest \n↳ Take lunch away from your desk \n↳ Have one real conversation daily (not about work)\n↳ Schedule 10-minute buffer between meetings\n\n5) Sensory Rest \n↳ Close eyes for 20 seconds every hour \n↳ Work from different spot for 30 minutes\n↳ Turn off all notifications for 90 minutes\n\n6) Creative Rest \n↳ Write with opposite hand for 1 minute \n↳ Listen to new music genre while working \n↳ Take different route to regular places\n\n7) Spiritual Rest \n↳ State one value you're honoring today \n↳ Spend 2 minutes in sunlight, arms open\n↳ Send appreciation message to someone\n\nThe 99% push through fatigue. \nThe 1% master strategic recovery.\n\nWhich type of rest do you need today?\n\nIdea credit: Sandra Dalton-Smith, MD. \n\n--\n\n♻️ Repost to help your network master sustainable success\n\n🔔 Follow Dr. Carolyn Frost for more science-backed strategies that put you in the top 1%

These 'success' habits are killing your potential.

Here's what actually works:

Hustle culture sold you a lie.

Those 'success' habits you've mastered?

They're blocking your peak performance and draining your potential.

Let's rebuild success that actually works:

❌ Checking email first thing
✅ The Power Hour Method
↳ First 60 mins are sacred - map your top 3 wins, tackle your hardest task first

❌ Saying yes to stay relevant
✅ The FOMO Filter
↳ Ask: “Will I regret missing this in 5 days, 5 months, or 5 years?“

❌ Working through lunch
✅ The Visible Break Strategy
↳ Block 12-1 as “Focus Time“ and physically leave your workspace

❌ “Always busy“ as a badge of honor
✅ The Whitespace Technique
↳ Schedule one blank hour daily for deep work

❌ Pride in sleep deprivation
✅ The Shutdown Ritual
↳ 90 mins before bed: Write tomorrow's 3 priorities and shut the laptop

❌ Multitasking in meetings
✅ The Meeting Minimalist Method
↳ Show up fully for the meetings that matter. Skip those that don't.

❌ Using caffeine to push through fatigue
✅ The Energy Mapping Method
↳ Track your peak hours and align most important work accordingly

The most successful people aren't burning out anymore.

Success doesn't have to cost your wellbeing.
Choose sustainable excellence instead.

Which success habit are you ready to upgrade?

--

♻️ Repost to help your network break free from burnout culture.

🔔 Follow me Dr. Carolyn Frost for more evidence-based strategies to achieve more by doing less

Don’t wait for clarity, create it.

These 12 questions can change everything.


Stuck in a loop? 
Successful people ask the right questions to get unstuck fast.

These 12 are designed to break you out of indecision and create momentum:

1. What's one small step I can take now?
↳Do it within the next hour. Tell someone for accountability.

2. What would I do if I couldn't fail?
↳Take one bold step toward it today.

3. How might I approach this with unlimited resources?
↳Reimagine your solution as if money or time weren't a limit.
Then scale it back to a doable first step.

4. What advice would I give a friend?
↳Write it as a letter. Follow your own advice.
You know more than you think you do ✨

5.What's the worst that could happen?
↳Make a backup plan, then take action.

6. How does this align with my values and goals?
↳Adjust your plan to reflect your core values.

7. What past lessons can I apply?
↳Identify 3 lessons and use one today.

8. Who can help me with this?
↳Contact them now, ask for 'specific' help.

9. What assumptions am I making?
↳Ask, Would everyone in the world agree this is correct?

10. A year from now, what will I wish I'd done? 
↳Make that decision today. Act with your Future Self in mind ✨

11. What am I avoiding because it's uncomfortable?
↳Take one small step toward that discomfort today - it's where all the growth is.

12. What would I do if the timeline didn’t matter?
↳Remove the pressure of time and focus on quality action.

Hint! Write down your answers for an added clarity boost.


PS ~ Any others to add?

--

♻️ Repost to support your network's future

🌿 Follow me Dr. Carolyn Frost for daily tips like this to live a happy, healthy, intentional life

Your stress response is killing your reputation.

12 phrases that command respect instead:

I used to think pushing through stress was strength.

But the way I spoke in those moments?

- “I can’t do this”
- “This is too much”
- “I'm not sure what to do next“

It didn’t just reflect how I felt.

It shaped how others saw me.
And chipped away at my credibility.

What you say under pressure matters just as much as what you do.

12 power phrases that change everything ⚡️

1) ❌ Don't say: “I can't handle this right now“
↳ Say: “I need to focus on one thing at a time to do good work“
↳ Square shoulders while speaking. Shows capability, not collapse.

2) ❌ Don't say: “This is too much“
↳ Say: “Which of these needs to be done first?“
↳ Place hand on desk. Anchors racing thoughts instantly.

3) ❌ Don't say: “I'm completely overwhelmed“
↳ Say: “I want to do this right, so I need to be realistic about timing“
↳ Slow breathing to 4 counts. Steadies voice naturally.

4) ❌ Don't say: “I'll try to get it done“
↳ Say: “I can finish this by Thursday if we move the other deadline“
↳ Look directly at speaker. Turns uncertainty into negotiation.

5) ❌ Don't say: “I'm stressed out“
↳ Say: “I need some quiet time to get this done well“
↳ Adjust posture. Physical elevation shifts mental state.

6) ❌ Don't say: “I don't know where to start“
↳ Say: “Give me 15 minutes to get organized and I'll be on track“
↳ Take a water sip. Breaks panic cycles instantly.

7) ❌ Don't say: “I didn't have time“
↳ Say: “I was finishing the Johnson project first. I can get to this next“
↳ Uncross arms. Shows receptiveness, not defense.

8) ❌ Don't say: “I'm behind on everything“
↳ Say: “I'm checking what's most urgent so nothing important falls behind“
↳ Lower voice slightly. Commands authority in challenges.

9) ❌ Don't say: “This wasn't my fault“
↳ Say: “Let's focus on fixing this rather than what caused it“
↳ Small nod while speaking. Shows confidence in next steps.

10) ❌ Don't say: “Why is this happening to me?“
↳ Say: “What's the biggest problem we need to solve first?“
↳ Turn chair toward speaker. Breaks victim mindset instantly.

11) ❌ Don't say: “I'll have to work all weekend“
↳ Say: “Let's decide what absolutely needs to be done by Friday“
↳ Brief pause before responding. Creates space for strategy, not reaction.

12) ❌ Don't say: “I just can't think straight“
↳ Say: “I need 10 minutes of quiet to come up with the best plan“
↳ Feet firmly on ground. Signals stability to your brain.

Your next high-pressure moment is coming.
Your response is a choice.
Make it intentional ✨

Which phrase transforms your next overwhelm moment?

--

♻️  Repost to help your network stay calm under pressure

🔔 Follow Dr. Carolyn Frost for more strategies to handle overwhelm with grace

Your stress response is destroying your potential.

5 simple ways to take back control:

You're drowning in deadlines, impossible demands, and endless urgency.

Your reactions are amplifying the chaos, not calming it.

But here's what most people miss:

Stress isn't your enemy.
Your untrained response system is ✨

When you react from stress, you make decisions that:

→ Damage relationships
→ Create more problems
→ Steal your clarity
→ Crush your confidence

But when you respond with intention?

Everything changes ✨

Start here:

1) Notice Your Warning Signs
↳ Shallow breathing, tight shoulders, racing thoughts
↳ These are your early alarm system - don't ignore them

2) Use the 3-Second Reset
↳ Breathe in for 3, hold for 3, out for 6
↳ This literally rewires your nervous system in real time

3) Ask One Power Question
↳ “What would calm, confident me do right here?“
↳ Shifts you from reaction to strategic response

4) Choose Your Next Move
↳ Speak slower, pause before responding, unclench your jaw
↳ Small physical changes create massive mental shifts

5) Build Your Response Muscle
↳ Practice these moves when stakes are low
↳ So they're automatic when pressure hits

Your stress isn't going anywhere.
But your relationship with it can transform everything.

The most successful people aren't stress-free.
They're stress-smart.

Which tip will you try when pressure hits today?

--

♻️ Repost to help your network master their stress response

🔔 Follow Dr. Carolyn Frost for more on turning pressure into power

Your words are sabotaging your career.

Here's what to say instead:

You're qualified.
You're capable.
But you sound uncertain.

Every hesitant phrase costs you credibility.

Every apologetic word signals weakness.

Your competition isn't smarter.
They just sound more confident.

10 power shifts that transform your presence 👇🏼

1. “I just wanted to check in...“
↳ Stand tall, reset your shoulders: “I'm following up on [specific item]“

2. “I'm not sure if this makes sense...“
↳ Plant both feet firmly: “Here's what I've observed...“

3. “This might be a stupid question...“
↳ Take a slow breath: “I'd like to explore something...“

4. “I kind of think we should...“
↳ Press thumb and index finger together: “I recommend we...“

5. “Sorry to bother you...“
↳ Roll shoulders back: “Thank you for your time...“

6. “Maybe we could consider...“
↳ Ground yourself: “I propose...“

7. “I'll try to...“
↳ Hand on desk: “I will...“

8. “Does that make sense?“
↳ Slight chin lift: “What are your thoughts on this?“

9. “I'm no expert, but...“
↳ Straighten your posture: “From my experience...“

10. “I hope this isn't overstepping...“
↳ Deep breath, hold 3 seconds: “I see an opportunity here...“

Your words either build your reputation or break it.
Choose wisely ✨

Which phrase do you catch yourself using most often?

--

♻️ Repost to help your network communicate with more impact and confidence.

🔔 Follow me Dr. Carolyn Frost for more on personal presence and authentic communication.