--- title: Your Clear Next Step Blog | Sinikka Waugh description: Sinikka Waugh is a recognized leader in understanding people and in adapting tools, techniques, and processes to meet the demands of the situation at hand. Since 2006, Sinikka has provided compassionate leadership in transformation initiatives. When she isn’t in front of a class, she enjoys putting her background in English and French Literature to work, by writing blogs about the subjects she teaches every day. Are you ready? If you are, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us! contactus@yourclearnextstep.com --- [![Your Clear Next Step, LLC](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo%20no%20background-2.png?width=300&height=182&name=logo%20no%20background-2.png "Your Clear Next Step, LLC")](https://www.yourclearnextstep.com/) - [Home](https://www.yourclearnextstep.com/) - [Making Authentic Human Connections](https://www.yourclearnextstep.com/making-authentic-human-connections/) - [Returning Business Value](https://www.yourclearnextstep.com/returning-business-value/) - [Treat Change as a Process](https://www.yourclearnextstep.com/treat-change-as-a-process/) - [About](https://www.yourclearnextstep.com/our-culture/) - [Our Team](https://www.yourclearnextstep.com/our-team/) - [Our History](https://www.yourclearnextstep.com/our-history/) - [Events](https://www.yourclearnextstep.com/events/) - [Blogs](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/) - [Podcast](https://www.yourclearnextstep.com/podcast/) - [Resources](https://info.yourclearnextstep.com/infographics-and-tools) - [Emotional Intelligence](https://info.yourclearnextstep.com/emotional-intelligence) - [Project Management](https://info.yourclearnextstep.com/project-management-business-analysis) - [Communication and Collaboration](https://info.yourclearnextstep.com/communication-collaboration) - [Change and Transition](https://info.yourclearnextstep.com/change-transition) - [Business Skills and Business Acumen](https://info.yourclearnextstep.com/business-skills-business-acumen) - [Meeting Management and Facilitation](https://info.yourclearnextstep.com/meeting-management-facilitation) - [Leadership and Influence](https://info.yourclearnextstep.com/leadership-influence) - [Search](https://www.yourclearnextstep.com/search/) ## Sinikka Waugh ![Sinikka Waugh](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/hubfs/Sinikka%20our%20team%20-%20white%20zoom.jpg) Sinikka Waugh is a recognized leader in understanding people and in adapting tools, techniques, and processes to meet the demands of the situation at hand. Since 2006, Sinikka has provided compassionate leadership in transformation initiatives. When she isn’t in front of a class, she enjoys putting her background in English and French Literature to work, by writing blogs about the subjects she teaches every day. Are you ready? If you are, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us! contactus@yourclearnextstep.com Find me on: ### Recent Posts ## [But Why](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/but-why) Posted by [Sinikka Waugh](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/author/sinikka-waugh) on Jul 21, 2026 10:30:24 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/hubfs/Blog%20Featured%20Image%20(50)-1.png)](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/but-why) Have you ever been in a situation where the conversation didn't go as planned? [Read More](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/but-why) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/but-why#comments-listing) Topics: [Sinikka Waugh](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/sinikka-waugh), [Communication & Collaboration](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/communication-collaboration), [Meeting Management & Facilitation](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/meeting-management-facilitation), [Emotional Intelligence](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/emotional-intelligence) ## [Better Meetings](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/better-meetings) Posted by [Sinikka Waugh](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/author/sinikka-waugh) on Jun 23, 2026 9:00:30 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/hubfs/People%20Meeting-1.png)](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/better-meetings) Have you ever felt like your time was held hostage by a bad meeting? [Read More](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/better-meetings) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/better-meetings#comments-listing) Topics: [Communication & Collaboration](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/communication-collaboration), [Meeting Management & Facilitation](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/meeting-management-facilitation), [Project Management & Business Analysis](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/project-management-business-analysis) ## [The Door to Her Room Sits Open](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/the-door-to-her-room-sits-open) Posted by [Sinikka Waugh](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/author/sinikka-waugh) on May 26, 2026 11:35:53 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/hubfs/Open%20Door-1.png)](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/the-door-to-her-room-sits-open) This is how it’s supposed to go. Oof. And, it’s still change. And it still takes some adjustment. [Read More](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/the-door-to-her-room-sits-open) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/the-door-to-her-room-sits-open#comments-listing) Topics: [Change & Transition](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/change-transition) ## [This New Thing](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/this-new-thing) Posted by [Sinikka Waugh](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/author/sinikka-waugh) on Mar 17, 2026 10:41:57 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/hubfs/Blog%20Featured%20Image%20(44)-1.png)](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/this-new-thing) This new thing. [Read More](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/this-new-thing) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/this-new-thing#comments-listing) Topics: [Change & Transition](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/change-transition), [Growth](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/growth), [Emotional Intelligence](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/emotional-intelligence) ## [Practice the Pause](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/practice-the-pause) Posted by [Sinikka Waugh](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/author/sinikka-waugh) on Feb 17, 2026 10:15:36 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/hubfs/Blog%20Featured%20Image%20(43)-1.png)](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/practice-the-pause) Practice the Pause: When our cup is full of gratitude, it’s hard for anything else to get in the way! [Read More](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/practice-the-pause) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/practice-the-pause#comments-listing) Topics: [Communication & Collaboration](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/communication-collaboration), [Meeting Management & Facilitation](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/meeting-management-facilitation), [Leadership & Influence](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/leadership-influence), [Growth](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/growth), [Emotional Intelligence](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/emotional-intelligence) ## [The OODA Loop](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/the-ooda-loop) Posted by [Sinikka Waugh](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/author/sinikka-waugh) on Oct 28, 2025 11:10:10 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/hubfs/Blog%20Featured%20Image%20(35)-1.png)](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/the-ooda-loop) The OODA loop: Observe, Orient, Decide, Act [Read More](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/the-ooda-loop) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/the-ooda-loop#comments-listing) Topics: [Business Skills & Business Acumen](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/business-skills-business-acumen), [Change & Transition](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/change-transition), [Project Management & Business Analysis](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/project-management-business-analysis), [Growth](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/growth) ## [There's a Bat in My Bedroom!](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/theres-a-bat-in-my-bedroom) Posted by [Sinikka Waugh](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/author/sinikka-waugh) on Sep 30, 2025 9:11:14 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/hubfs/Blog%20Featured%20Image%20(33)-1.png)](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/theres-a-bat-in-my-bedroom) AAAAAHHHHH!!. I heard the sound, and I was up off the couch before I processed what was going on. [Read More](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/theres-a-bat-in-my-bedroom) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/theres-a-bat-in-my-bedroom#comments-listing) Topics: [Business Skills & Business Acumen](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/business-skills-business-acumen), [Change & Transition](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/change-transition), [Project Management & Business Analysis](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/project-management-business-analysis), [Growth](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/growth) ## [You're Annoying](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/youre-annoying) Posted by [Sinikka Waugh](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/author/sinikka-waugh) on Jul 8, 2025 10:34:47 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/hubfs/Annoyed%20Kids%20Face-1.png)](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/youre-annoying) Well, sure, tone, and words matter, of course. But that idea that we could wind up labeling someone – defining someone – by the way their personality made us feel. Eeew. How many times have I done that? I’m not sure I want to count. [Read More](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/youre-annoying) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/youre-annoying#comments-listing) Topics: [Sinikka Waugh](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/sinikka-waugh), [Business Skills & Business Acumen](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/business-skills-business-acumen), [Growth](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/growth), [Emotional Intelligence](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/emotional-intelligence) ## [Being Wrong is Hard](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/being-wrong-is-hard) Posted by [Sinikka Waugh](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/author/sinikka-waugh) on Jun 10, 2025 12:27:20 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/hubfs/Blog%20Featured%20Image%20(23)-1.png)](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/being-wrong-is-hard) Discovering that we had misunderstood something, made a mistake, given a wrong answer or reached a conclusion based on partial information can produce feelings of inadequacy, shame, fear of failing again. [Read More](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/being-wrong-is-hard) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/being-wrong-is-hard#comments-listing) Topics: [Sinikka Waugh](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/sinikka-waugh), [Business Skills & Business Acumen](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/business-skills-business-acumen), [Growth](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/growth), [Emotional Intelligence](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/emotional-intelligence) ## [Lessons from a Failed Project: Bouncing Back](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/lessons-from-a-failed-project) Posted by [Sinikka Waugh](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/author/sinikka-waugh) on May 13, 2025 9:54:44 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/hubfs/Blog%20Featured%20Image%20(21).png)](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/lessons-from-a-failed-project) Ever had a project that felt like it was unraveling? Deadlines slipping through your fingers, budgets vanishing like magic, and your team running on fumes? [Read More](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/lessons-from-a-failed-project) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/lessons-from-a-failed-project#comments-listing) Topics: [Sinikka Waugh](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/sinikka-waugh), [Project Management & Business Analysis](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/project-management-business-analysis) [All posts](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/all) [Next](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/author/sinikka-waugh/page/2) ## About YCNS --- [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.yourclearnextstep.com/frequently-asked-questions/) [Our History](https://yourclearnextstep.com/our-history/) [Our Culture](https://yourclearnextstep.com/our-culture/) [Our Team](https://yourclearnextstep.com/our-team/) [Careers](https://yourclearnextstep.com/careers/)   ## Connect with Us --- [Subscribe to our newsletter](https://info.yourclearnextstep.com/newsletter) [Contact us](https://info.yourclearnextstep.com/contact-us) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/yourclearnextstep/) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/your-clear-next-step-llc) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/YourClearNextStep/) [Twitter](https://twitter.com/YourClrNxtStep) ## Quick Reference --- [Course Catalog](https://yourclearnextstep.com/product-category/private-training/) [Resources & Tools](https://info.yourclearnextstep.com/infographics-and-tools) [Internship Quick Reference](https://info.yourclearnextstep.com/internships) [Coaching Quick Reference](https://info.yourclearnextstep.com/coaching) [The Even Better Podcast](https://www.yourclearnextstep.com/podcast/) [Events](https://www.yourclearnextstep.com/home/events/) [Blog](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/)   ## Affiliations --- We are proud members and supporters of the following organizations: [![cbbb-badge-horz120x45](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/hubfs/YourClearNextStep_June2018/Images/cbbb-badge-horz120x45.png "cbbb-badge-horz120x45")](https://www.bbb.org/us/ia/indianola/profile/business-coach/your-clear-next-step-llc-0664-32046657) [![PMI](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/hubfs/PMI.jpg "PMI")](http://www.pmi-centraliowa.org/) [![IIBA120x45](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/hubfs/YourClearNextStep_June2018/Images/IIBA120x45.png "IIBA120x45")](http://www.centraliowaiiba.org/chapter/index.htm) [![NAWBO_Member120x45](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/hubfs/YourClearNextStep_June2018/Images/NAWBO_Member120x45.jpg "NAWBO_Member120x45")](http://www.nawboiowa.org/) [![TSB_Certified_lrg](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/hubfs/YourClearNextStep_June2018/Images/TSB_Certified_lrg.jpg "TSB_Certified_lrg")](https://iowaeda.dynamics365portals.us/view-business-detail/?id=8d4e7413-ac53-4d44-9a1a-f213b4771d96&tsb-type=Woman) [![2020 Indianola Chamber of Commerce square](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/hubfs/2020%20Indianola%20Chamber%20of%20Commerce%20square.jpg "2020 Indianola Chamber of Commerce square")](http://www.indianolachamber.com/) Your Clear Next Step © 2020. 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