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”
Category Archives: Contribution
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”?”
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?”
What IKEA Furniture Does to Your Brain
If you’ve built a few pieces of IKEA furniture in your time, you might be amused by this quote from company founder Ingvar Kamprad, posted on their website: “IKEA[*] is not the work of one person alone. It is the result of many minds and many souls working together through many years of joy andContinue reading “What IKEA Furniture Does to Your Brain”
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”
Stanislav Petrov, the Man Who Saved the World?
Have you heard of Russian lieutenant colonel Stanislav Petrov? Maybe not. Or do you recognize his name in Russian, Станислав Петров? Unlikely. His name is not widely known around the world, and yet he may well have saved it – by doing nothing! Or more correctly, by disobeying orders and choosing not to take action. Petrov’s monumentalContinue reading “Stanislav Petrov, the Man Who Saved the World?”
Workplace Takeaways from the World Cup
How many FIFA World Cup games have you watched so far this year? Do you have a particular team you’re rooting for, or do you just get caught up in the spectacle of the whole thing? More than quarter of a century ago, I studied at the University of Glasgow for my joint undergrad andContinue reading “Workplace Takeaways from the World Cup”
Stephen Colbert and the Art of Adjourning
As you might know, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert ended last week, bringing to a close Colbert’s own 11-year run on the show, as well as The Late Show‘s 33-year run (which began with host David Letterman), and a history of TV variety shows in the same theater dating back to the early 1950s.Continue reading “Stephen Colbert and the Art of Adjourning”
Need a Little Eurovision?
Regarde! Have you been dancing on the tables to “Jalla” by Antigoni from Cyprus? Joining Akylas from Greece to “Ferto” (“Bring It”)? Or maybe you’ve learned Danish to croon along with Søren Torpegaard Lund on “Før Vi Går Hjem” (“Before We Go Home”)? If this means nothing to you, you might not be familiar withContinue reading “Need a Little Eurovision?”
Extracting Value When Things Go Wrong
Working with groups is never dull. Think of a time or twelve when a group you’re working with has surprised you in some way – for better or worse. Perhaps a person you wouldn’t have expected took charge, or the group came up with surprising ideas, or people had a strong reaction to something thatContinue reading “Extracting Value When Things Go Wrong”
Building Bridges Leadership 