I spent much of the weekend chainsawing dead trees, then splitting the logs with axes and wedges, and stacking it for firewood. We’ve tapped a few maple trees around our house, and used much of the wood on a fire to boil down a sap to make maple syrup. But much of the wood willContinue reading “Fighting Bias, Building Inclusion And Chopping Firewood”
Category Archives: Creativity
Remember To Remember The Forgetting Curve
How often have you been to a workshop or presentation – perhaps even on topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion – and soaked in all sorts of great information and tips, leaving motivated and empowered to make a change… only to realize a few days later that you could only remember one or twoContinue reading “Remember To Remember The Forgetting Curve”
“The Power Of Yet” And The Growth Mindset
What skills and interests have you developed over the last year? Perhaps some that have laid dormant for many years, and perhaps some that are, in essence, brand new for you. Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have all been tested in ways none of us could have ever expected. So many things thatContinue reading ““The Power Of Yet” And The Growth Mindset”
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””
Balancing The “More” With The “New”
Many organizational questions boil down to the categories of Evolution and Revolution: “What can we improve or change?” (Evolution) and “What can we do that hasn’t been done before?” (Revolution). A number meetings I’ve been a part of recently – with different groups of people, in different contexts – have ended up circling the same question: “Instead of Evolution,Continue reading “Balancing The “More” With The “New””
A Virtual Community Doesn’t Have to Mean an “Almost” Community
Five months into this pandemic, we’ve all tried some form of virtual community at this point. From Zoom gatherings to group phone calls, WhatsApp group texts, Google Hangouts and more, we’ve all been part of groups trying to remain connected in trying times. Like many people, you may have started out thinking of these asContinue reading “A Virtual Community Doesn’t Have to Mean an “Almost” Community”
Who or What are Your Threshold Guardians?
Recently I’ve been spending a lot of time looking at “The Hero’s Journey,” for a writing course I’m teaching. The Hero’s Journey is a common framework for analyzing stories told throughout history. There are a number of variations of the model, but the most widely known model was developed by Joseph Campbell, in his 1949 book TheContinue reading “Who or What are Your Threshold Guardians?”
Celebrate Your “Some Good News”
Mr. Rogers is often quoted as saying, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” If you’re one of the millions of people who’ve tuned into actor/comedian John Krasinski’s new feelgoodContinue reading “Celebrate Your “Some Good News””
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”
Unplug and Be Present
Chances are, your world has been upended over the last week, and you are certainly not alone. With much of the world adjusting to life with COVID-19, daily life has changed dramatically. You may be walking around near-deserted streets for your work, working from home with kids bustling around you, or feeling alone and looking for connection. NeedlessContinue reading “Unplug and Be Present”
Building Bridges Leadership 