What are some things you’re wondering about these days? What are some questions you’re finding yourself thinking about? During recent conversations in a non-profit I work with, we realized that when it comes to how the organization’s audience is thinking about the future of AI and work, we had more questions than answers. More toContinue reading “Ask Questions That Have No Right (or Wrong!) Answers”
Category Archives: Communication
Could You be Your Workplace’s “Minister for Loneliness?”
Have you been through periods of life where you’ve felt isolated from the people around you? How about times where you’ve felt a strong sense of connection and belonging? How have the eras of your life felt different in that regard? If it’s a spectrum, where would you place this current era of your lifeContinue reading “Could You be Your Workplace’s “Minister for Loneliness?””
When Leaders Don’t Respond
How often have you sent multiple emails to someone before getting a response? How often have you received multiple emails before responding? Chances are, you’ve been on both sides of that equation. Of course, if you’ve received multiple emails and haven’t responded, you can usually identify reasons why: you’re snowed under, or you need moreContinue reading “When Leaders Don’t Respond”
Poutine & the Cognitive Lift of Speaking a Second Language
How many languages do you recognize when you hear them spoken? How many do you understand? How many do you speak? Over the last few weeks I’ve had a particularly high volume of interactions with people (sometimes including myself) speaking a second language. Throughout my English-speaking work and home life, I’ve noticed anew just howContinue reading “Poutine & the Cognitive Lift of Speaking a Second Language”
Mapping the Rhythms of Your Year
It’s only the middle of August, but in In New England, where I live, people are already anticipating the change in seasons. The hot Summer weather will soon give way to cooler temperatures. T-shirts will be covered with jackets, or even sweaters. And, at least in our household, we’re already realizing that our time isContinue reading “Mapping the Rhythms of Your Year”
A Brand New Day for Your Leadership using “The Marvel Method”?
With Spider-Man: Brand New Day making more than a billion dollars worldwide in just seven days, and breaking all kinds of records along the way, now seems like a good time to look back at Spider-Man’s origins, and what we can learn from them. No, not the radioactive spider, Uncle Ben’s death and the resultingContinue reading “A Brand New Day for Your Leadership using “The Marvel Method”?”
Text, Voice, and Recalibrating Tone
Have you ever received a message from someone at work and interpreted the tone as angry, terse, or upset, leaving you stewing for days over what you did that caused that response, or how your reputation or relationships might be damaged as a result? On the flip side, have you ever sent a quick textContinue reading “Text, Voice, and Recalibrating Tone”
What is Cooperative Overlap? Isn’t It Just Interrupting?
Cooperative Overlap (or Collaborative Overlap) is a term coined by Georgetown University professor of linguistics and author Deborah Tannen, in which the listener starts talking along with the speaker, not to cut them off but rather to validate or show they’re engaged in what the other person is saying. In conversations, do you have aContinue reading “What is Cooperative Overlap? Isn’t It Just Interrupting?”
Is it Time to Sub in Your Rising Stars?
As we reach the final few matches of the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, I’ve been reminded of the key role that rising stars can play on a team, both in football and in the workplace. I’ve found myself drawn back to this piece published first in 2023 during the FIFA Women’s World Cup. WhetherContinue reading “Is it Time to Sub in Your Rising Stars?”
The Goodness of Humanity
For the last several years, a reliable highlight of the rhythms of my work year is the few weeks in the second half of June and early July. That’s when I run workshops and team building programs for students starting a Summer college experience – as researchers, interns, student leaders, or degree-seeking students. Many ofContinue reading “The Goodness of Humanity”
