Are you aware of identity-based affinity groups in your workplace? Or in your faith community? Or other communities of which you’re a part? If you’re a person of color or a member of another marginalized community, the value of such a group may seem obvious to you – such groups can be a chance to engage withContinue reading “Racial Affinity Groups… for White People?”
Category Archives: Communication
Sitting in the Tension of “Both / And”
“Do you think [politician or leader X] is a racist?” How often have you heard versions of this question in interviews, political debates, or press conferences? If you’re like me, the question results in an eye roll. Of course that person is a racist. We are all racist. But that in itself is not the complete story. I’ve been inContinue reading “Sitting in the Tension of “Both / And””
Is Divisiveness Inevitable?
Have you ever found yourself showing support for something or someone, followed by backlash that makes you question your choice to show support in the first place? Even if you still have the same feeling of support, others’ responses might have shown you that the situation is much more complicated and nuanced than you’d previouslyContinue reading “Is Divisiveness Inevitable?”
What’s Your Origin Story?
Super heroes aren’t the only ones with an origin story. Chances are if you work in an established organization, you’re familiar with its own story – who the organization’s founders were, what was the idea that sparked it all… Often it’s an idea written on the back of a napkin, which may even be framedContinue reading “What’s Your Origin Story?”
Identifying And Working With Physical Manifestations Of Stress
How do you experience stress and worry? For many people, the experience of stress is stressful in itself – the mind races as it jumps from item to item, thinking of all that needs to get done, or of worst case scenarios. This often occurs in the middle of the night, interrupting sleep and onlyContinue reading “Identifying And Working With Physical Manifestations Of Stress”
Honoring Your Team’s “Anniversary Reactions” (And Your Own!)
Coronavirus cases first appeared around the world in late 2019. For many readers of this email, however, the most direct impacts began in March 2020 – perhaps even a year ago this week. Changes that started with the hope of short-term impacts have, for most of us, continued to this day. Along the way, manyContinue reading “Honoring Your Team’s “Anniversary Reactions” (And Your Own!)”
Is It Possible To Be “Uninterruptable” By Slack And Email?
Do you remember a time when email was new and exciting? Perhaps you remember it back in the recesses of time, or perhaps email has never been that way for you. Either way, the chances are that that’s not how you think of email these days. The same may be true for Slack, Microsoft Teams,Continue reading “Is It Possible To Be “Uninterruptable” By Slack And Email?”
Working In Isolation? How The TV Writers’ Room Approach Can Help You Find “The Good Place”
A large component of my work world involves writing – from reports to podcasts, curriculum design to articles… And while the bulk of my writing revolves around the dynamics of people working and interacting with each other, the writing itself is largely done by myself. As I write, I often need to think about world-building – howContinue reading “Working In Isolation? How The TV Writers’ Room Approach Can Help You Find “The Good Place””
Team Meetings In A Time Of Distraction
How often are you in (or leading) a meeting but finding it hard to concentrate because of something happening in the wider world? How often have you noticed someone else in the meeting suddenly disappear – mentally, if not physically. “Breaking news” pop-ups have become commonplace as the business of news seeks our attention, andContinue reading “Team Meetings In A Time Of Distraction”
Let’s Talk About The Elephant In The Room…
While last week’s attack on The Capitol was still taking place, writer Saladin Ahmed – whose work I admire – tweeted “next week some middle aged white man is still gonna get paid for a column about how we need to build bridges.” Mr. Ahmed doesn’t know me, but as a middle aged white man with aContinue reading “Let’s Talk About The Elephant In The Room…”
Building Bridges Leadership 