My kids and I have always enjoyed super hero comic books. The idea I’ve always bristled against, though, is the idea of a “bad guy.” In well-developed fictional worlds, knowing a villain’s own story from their perspective can change how you think of them. You may still see their decisions as selfish, dangerous, or harmful,Continue reading “3 Tips To Avoid Othering In A Divisive Environment”
Category Archives: Authenticity
How a Digital Detox Could Benefit You
Every Sunday morning, my phone vibrates and pops up a notification to show me how much “screen time” I’ve spent on my phone over the past week. Every week I think with some dismay, “that can’t be right.” But then when I think about how much time I’ve also spent in front of a laptopContinue reading “How a Digital Detox Could Benefit You”
Banquets & Potlucks In Your Workplace (And In The 2020 Elections!)
Remember the days of large gatherings of people, and sharing food with one another in an enclosed space? Those days may feel like a long time ago, but banquets and potlucks can help us to understand our workplace, and even our larger society. A large proportion of Building Bridges Leadership’s consulting and workshops focuses onContinue reading “Banquets & Potlucks In Your Workplace (And In The 2020 Elections!)”
The Rhythms of the Year…
In New England, where I live, the seasons are changing. The hot Summer weather has given way to cooler temperatures. T-shirts are increasingly covered with sweaters. And the academic year has begun – even as it looks drastically different in 2020 than in any prior year. The start of the academic year affects a myriadContinue reading “The Rhythms of the Year…”
Chadwick Boseman – Creating Space & Honoring Choices
Chadwick Boseman’s death from colon cancer has hit me in a way few celebrity deaths have. I’m a self-confessed Marvel nerd and read Black Panther comics in my own childhood, but I don’t think that’s it. I’ve also been inspired and impressed by his non-Marvel choices, playing Black icons of history such as Jackie Robinson, James Brown,Continue reading “Chadwick Boseman – Creating Space & Honoring Choices”
Making a Mosaic Instead of a Melting Pot
Like many people in the first decade of the 21st century, I was hooked on the TV show LOST. I watched it religiously, talked through theories with friends, and followed the character names to learn more about the real-life figures they were named after (Locke, Rousseau, and Faraday, to name just a few). One of theContinue reading “Making a Mosaic Instead of a Melting Pot”
Lessons from the Life of John Lewis
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”
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”
Alleviating Zoom Fatigue
Zoom fatigue is real. Articles are popping up all over the place about this, because many of us are feeling it on a daily basis. If you’re exhausted after sitting through a string of work calls and hangouts with friends and family, there are valid reasons for this. Between the focus needed to pay attention, the awareness of being lookedContinue reading “Alleviating Zoom Fatigue”
Try Something That Shouldn’t Work On Zoom
One consequence of the COVID-19 outbreak around the world and our resulting change of routines is that we’ve all been forced to become more creative in how we rise to face challenges. From creating face masks out of bandanas and hair ties to holding your wedding on Zoom, or finding creative ways to exercise or cook, we’re all finding new ways toContinue reading “Try Something That Shouldn’t Work On Zoom”
Building Bridges Leadership 