Two years ago, I was fortunate to be working at Harvard’s 367th Commencement ceremony, at which John Lewis received an honorary doctorate. In his speech, he encouraged everyone in attendance to make “necessary trouble” and stand up for justice, “even when injustice wears a uniform.” Mr. Lewis’s death last Friday has caused me – along with manyContinue reading “Lessons from the Life of John Lewis”
Author Archives: Ian Jackson
Who or What are Your Threshold Guardians?
Recently I’ve been spending a lot of time looking at “The Hero’s Journey,” for a writing course I’m teaching. The Hero’s Journey is a common framework for analyzing stories told throughout history. There are a number of variations of the model, but the most widely known model was developed by Joseph Campbell, in his 1949 book TheContinue reading “Who or What are Your Threshold Guardians?”
Stop, Collaborate And Listen
On July 4th, ’90s rapper Vanilla Ice was scheduled to play a concert in Austin, Texas. Billed as being a “carefree return to the pre-coronavirus ’90s”, he was promoting the show as late as July 2nd, before quickly reversing course just four hours later, saying “I listened to my fans… I didn’t know the numbersContinue reading “Stop, Collaborate And Listen”
Computer Crashes and the Systems Around Us
Last week, I had some computer issues, which left me faced with the prospect of losing everything on a laptop and starting fresh. It was a relatively new computer with nothing important that wasn’t backed up elsewhere, so this would ultimately not have been a big deal, but in the first few hours, my mindContinue reading “Computer Crashes and the Systems Around Us”
Be Aware of the Masks You Wear
Masks have become an essential part of life these days. From grocery stores to workplaces, most of us are wearing masks whenever we’re around others (if you’re not, please do!). But of course, there are different kinds of masks, and we have all been wearing masks throughout our life, whether we realize it or not.Continue reading “Be Aware of the Masks You Wear”
Poison Ivy And Privilege
In New England, where I live now, poison ivy is commonplace. But in the UK, where I grew up, there is none. So unlike many New Englanders, I didn’t grow up with regular exposure to poison ivy; nor did I grow up looking out for it, or being able to identify it with a “leavesContinue reading “Poison Ivy And Privilege”
New Discussion Forum for an Authentic, Equitable Workplace
As we all navigate this changing world, the need to support each other with resources, support, best practices, reading recommendations, and a safe space to ask questions has become clearer than ever before. With that in mind, we are pleased to announce our new Facebook group, “Building Bridges – Creating Authentic Community in Your Workplace“.Continue reading “New Discussion Forum for an Authentic, Equitable Workplace”
Engage: How the George Floyd Protests Connect with Your Workplace
This past weekend brought protests across the United States and elsewhere in the world, following George Floyd’s death in police custody in Minneapolis and the systemic racism and white supremacy that his death symbolized – just the latest in a long line of countless examples. While in some locations the police stood in solidarity with theContinue reading “Engage: How the George Floyd Protests Connect with Your Workplace”
Take Time To Take Stock
In the midst of our own busyness – and business – as the world has changed so much on a macro and a micro level over the last few months, it’s easy to forget that each and every one of us has also been fighting a pandemic. Playing our own individual role in preventing theContinue reading “Take Time To Take Stock”
Seek Out A Different Perspective
“I heard that we are all in the same boat, but it’s not like that. We are in the same storm, but not in the same boat. Your ship could be shipwrecked, and mine might not be.” You may have seen a version of this quote floating around on social media over the last several weeks.Continue reading “Seek Out A Different Perspective”
Building Bridges Leadership 