Insight certainty 4/5 debate potential 3/5

Graham: Managers must serve the business rather than individual people

Molly Graham · “I like being scared”: Molly Graham’s frameworks for rapid career growth | Molly Graham · Jan 4, 2026 · at 1:05:05

Molly Graham discusses navigating emotional management challenges such as reorganizations and layoffs.

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“My mantra that almost always leads in a, in the best direction is serve the business, not the people.”

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