Almavina Insights

Hot take: Don’t be nice.

We’ve all been taught to be nice. Especially women, in mission-driven spaces, in roles where harmony is rewarded more than honesty. Nice smiles and nods. Nice avoids conflict. Nice says “you’re doing great” even when the work is off track—because saying otherwise might feel too uncomfortable. But kindness? Kindness is something else entirely. Kindness tells the truth. Kindness sets boundaries. Kindness says: I respect you enough to be real with you. And here’s the part Read more…

By Beth Cocuzza, ago

The Thin Line Between Commitment and Martyrdom

Somewhere along the way, many of us got the message that leadership is sacrifice. Not the kind of sacrifice that makes you feel proud. The kind that leaves you drained. Overextended. Quietly resentful.The kind that says: If I just give a little more… maybe it’ll finally be enough. And if you work in a mission-driven space—education, nonprofits, public service—this message is practically woven into the job description. But let’s be clear: Martyrdom is not a Read more…

By Beth Cocuzza, ago

No justification required

A few weeks ago, someone in a Slack community I’m part of asked a simple question:  “What are you reading?” It was posted in a subgroup of nonprofit consultants—people who, like me, spend their days thinking about systems, strategy, and human-centered leadership. The question was casual, maybe even intended as a little break from all that. A soft pause in an otherwise very purpose-driven space. As the responses started rolling in, I noticed a pattern. Read more…

By Beth Cocuzza, ago

What if we just believed them?

When someone names a toxic work experience, why is our first instinct so often to question their judgment? What if—just for a moment—we started from a place of belief? A former client once told me that the hardest part wasn’t surviving the dysfunction—it was the moment she finally worked up the courage to name it out loud… and someone said, “Are you sure it’s not just a tough boss?” She had receipts. Patterns. A history Read more…

By Beth Cocuzza, ago

Hibernation and the lost art of letter writing

This month has felt like the winterest of all winters. I don’t know about you, but the pull to hibernation has been strong for me this year. A friend sent me ​this Instagram post​ at the beginning of the month and it has really stuck with me. Here’s the punchline: If January feels heavy, slow, or resistant – nothing is wrong with you. You are listening to the Earth. Leaning into that idea, I’ve been Read more…

By Beth Cocuzza, ago

2025 Reading Recap | The Unsung Heroes

It’s that time again – time for my annual reading recap! I just took a moment to go back and read ​last year’s recap​. And it was yet another marker to signify my journey this year. Last year I wrote about why I read. And yes, all of those things are still true. This year, I uncovered the science behind why I read – which is something I probably knew intuitively last year but didn’t Read more…

By Beth Cocuzza, ago

December needs its own strategy

Here we are – in that “in between” time. Thanksgiving has passed and the year-end holidays are on the horizon. If you don’t pay attention, it will go by in a blink. And yet, it’s a whole month of the year! For many years, Thanksgiving has felt like the weekend I wish all my weekends could be. I would wake up Saturday and Sunday thinking, “Woo hoo! Another day!!” And then I’d go back to Read more…

By Beth Cocuzza, ago

Which of their stories is yours?

It’s been seven months since Promises Broken was released into the world. (Isn’t that wild?) The most common feedback I’ve received from readers is: “I saw myself in these women.” That’s the power of story. It mirrors us back to ourselves—and reminds us we’re not alone. When I first started writing, I simply wanted to do justice to the stories that these brave women were willing to share. I knew toxic work culture was a Read more…

By Beth Cocuzza, ago

Culture is kinetic

Have you ever walked through an open office space and not been greeted by a single person? How about being in a meeting when it’s clear that people are “side-chatting” over text? Maybe you’ve even side-chatted yourself? What about hearing the same generic critical feedback tossed out in group settings over a period of months and suddenly realizing the person is referring to you? Culture isn’t built by slogans or slide decks. It’s built in Read more…

By Beth Cocuzza, ago

How was your weekend?

On a typical Monday morning (or Tuesday after a long weekend), you might be asked, “How was your weekend? Do anything fun?” If I worked in an office and was asked this question today, I would say “Great! I went to a college hockey game. I cooked a meal for my son and his roommates. I rooted for all of my teams, made some chili, and baked banana bread. And during yesterday’s storm I went Read more…

By Beth Cocuzza, ago