Formal, structured conversations have a particular feeling unlike any other. Think of job interviews. How many have you been a part of – either as the interviewee or one of the interviewers? Remember the tension in the air? The desire to impress? The fear of screwing up? Role-plays are a regular feature of my executiveContinue reading “Noticing Potential, Promise, and Authenticity”
Author Archives: Ian Jackson
Recognizing Burnout in Yourself and Others
Everyone has had the experience of being exhausted by a difficult workday. And we’ve all had hard seasons that we’ve needed to get through and were so glad they were over. But if this continues day after day for months or years on end, it can lead to burnout. We’ve all been worn out, orContinue reading “Recognizing Burnout in Yourself and Others”
Are Your Meetings Lectures, Show-and-Tells, or Labs?
How many meetings have you attended in the last few weeks? How many have you led? If you lead meetings, how did you learn to lead them? By emulating the meetings you’ve attended? Employees who are high performing often get promoted to management without any training in how to manage others – and, as aContinue reading “Are Your Meetings Lectures, Show-and-Tells, or Labs?”
Mosaics, Not Melting Pots
I’m writing this from the window seat of a red eye flight, following a work retreat in Hawai’i, on the island of O’ahu. This was my first time in the state, and I was struck by the vibrancy and beauty of Polynesian culture that stands proud long after American and European businessmen overthrew the monarchyContinue reading “Mosaics, Not Melting Pots”
Flying in a V Formation During Turbulent Times
How are your teams and communities doing at the moment? In the last few weeks, I’ve heard multiple experiences of painful fractures within groups who have historically been supportive and unified. If this is true for you, take heart that you’re not alone – if it’s helpful to consider it within the larger cultural contextContinue reading “Flying in a V Formation During Turbulent Times”
Experiencing Some Distrust in Leadership?
Over the last few weeks I have had several conversations with people in different (for-profit and non-profit) fields with a similar theme: distrust in leadership. In some cases this has come out as targeted public complaints about a figurehead; in others as a move toward a strike; in others a community cry for more transparencyContinue reading “Experiencing Some Distrust in Leadership?”
A Real-Life Takeaway from Recent Events
What’s something you’ve heard a colleague or co-worker say recently that has impressed you – or maybe even inspired you? What are some small actions you’ve seen someone take – maybe someone in customer service – that have left you feeling just a little brighter about your day? In the last couple of weeks thereContinue reading “A Real-Life Takeaway from Recent Events”
“There is No Such Thing as a Safe Space”
In the days since the killing of Charlie Kirk (and its widespread viewing on social media) – as well as the clear differences in the messages people took from his words prompting discussions about context and the algorithms we’re all subject to – this seemed like a good week to revisit this Building Bridges LeadershipContinue reading ““There is No Such Thing as a Safe Space””
The Popsicle Hotline
What is the Popsicle Hotline? And what might it offer us as we think about our work, both with external clients and internal colleagues? The Magic Castle Hotel in Los Angeles has found a way to stand out from the crowd of a busy LA hotel scene. It’s not an upscale hotel by any means,Continue reading “The Popsicle Hotline”
How to be a Lighthouse Manager
Are you familiar with the idea of helicopter parenting? The stereotype is that Helicopter Parents hover around their child, checking up on them and regularly swooping in to solve their problems. If you’re a parent, perhaps you even recognize this in yourself – especially with your first child, this is a very common trait. But,Continue reading “How to be a Lighthouse Manager”
Building Bridges Leadership 