Have you ever felt judged by others (at work or elsewhere) because of beliefs you hold, or actions you choose to take, or because of an aspect of your identity? Have you ever heard yourself be lumped in with a group that’s being discussed, without anyone else in the conversation knowing you’re part of thatContinue reading “People Aren’t Debatable”
Category Archives: Blind Spots
Life Happens… Even During Major Projects
If you’ve ever had a death in the family, a house fire, a medical emergency, or a life-shaking diagnosis for you or someone close to you, you know that these things don’t happen at convenient times. They can also be painful in a way that seems to alter time itself – time can both grindContinue reading “Life Happens… Even During Major Projects”
Honoring Years of Service while Seeking Fresh Perspectives
Think back to when you started working for your current employer, even if it was in a different role than you currently hold. How long did it take for you to go from feeling like the newbie to feeling like you belong? How long were you aware of your time in the organization (“I startedContinue reading “Honoring Years of Service while Seeking Fresh Perspectives”
Finding a Thought Partner for New Perspectives
In your line of work, how often do you work in partnership with someone else? Do you have a regular partner, or partnership team? When was the last time you partnered with someone new on a project or initiative? If it’s been a long time, is that by choice? In my work as a facilitator, partnership onContinue reading “Finding a Thought Partner for New Perspectives”
Talk to the Duck
When you’re facing a problem that you think you should be able to solve, but you can’t see what you’re missing… what do you do? For many of us, frustration just builds and builds – and, while you may not need scientific studies to back up what might seem obvious, “frustration is often negatively associatedContinue reading “Talk to the Duck”
Avoiding Selective Moral Outrage
I showed up to register for my first set of classes at Harvard Graduate School of Education on the morning of September 11, 2001. The World Trade Center attacks played over and over on the small TV screens in Gutman Library with large crowds gathered around, but we all registered for classes without acknowledging whatContinue reading “Avoiding Selective Moral Outrage”
Three Tips to Avoid Othering in a Divisive Environment
My kids and I have always enjoyed reading super hero comic books. The idea I’ve always bristled against, though – even in the context of fictional or real-life war stories – 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 thinkContinue reading “Three Tips to Avoid Othering in a Divisive Environment”
Using Your Team’s Previous Work Cultures to Build a Better One
During a series of team building activities with a client this week, it was noticeable that one newer member of the group shared ideas that were shut down or ignored by the rest of the group – including the director of the department. Rather than point that out in the moment, I let the groupContinue reading “Using Your Team’s Previous Work Cultures to Build a Better One”
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”
Blazing a Trail, and Turning it into a Highway
“Fight for the things you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” – Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg This week brings the third anniversary of the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Of course, the political make-up of the Supreme Court has changed dramatically in that time, butContinue reading “Blazing a Trail, and Turning it into a Highway”
Building Bridges Leadership 