Over the last year I’ve wondered many times if the the first two words of my business’ name, Building Bridges Leadership, have become outdated and quaint. Or well-intentioned but naive, like “I don’t see color.” If you’ve read Building Bridges Leadership posts for any length of time, you know we talk about leadership and teamsContinue reading “Burning Bridges Leadership? The End of Building Bridges?”
Category Archives: Leadership
Turning a Negative Spiral Positive
Have you ever had a day that started badly, and just got worse? Maybe you dropped a glass in the kitchen, which led to you leaving for work a few minutes late, which meant you got stuck behind a school bus and sat in worse traffic, so you were late to your first meeting ofContinue reading “Turning a Negative Spiral Positive”
Mapping Out Your Ripple Effect for 2026
At the start of a new year, you may come in with a resolution, a change, or a new habit you’re putting in place (I’m trying a version of a “phone fast,” which I’ll share more about in a later piece). Or perhaps you’re doing some vision casting, strategic planning, or other goal setting workContinue reading “Mapping Out Your Ripple Effect for 2026”
Completing 2025 and Moving On to 2026
As we move towards the end of another year full of challenges and growth, successes and failures – on the personal, professional, and global levels – many of us are looking for ways to bring closure to the year and recharge for the new year. Depending on your role, a clean break from work mayContinue reading “Completing 2025 and Moving On to 2026”
When a Choice is Not a Choice…
Chocolate or vanilla? Which ice cream would you choose? Many of us would know our answer (even if it’s “I want non-dairy” or “no ice cream for me”). But of course, sometimes choices aren’t so easy to make – and sometimes, a choice isn’t a choice after all – it’s a responsibility, a commitment, orContinue reading “When a Choice is Not a Choice…”
100 More Ice-Breaker Questions for Any Group Gathering
Each week in our newsletter we include one question you can use as an ice-breaker for conversations with colleagues at the beginning of meetings, or to post on your internal workplace messaging platform. Some serious, some silly, but all with the intention of leading to further conversations and building community. Last year at this time,Continue reading “100 More Ice-Breaker Questions for Any Group Gathering”
What is Thanksgiving Leadership?
While the Thanksgiving holiday here in the US has a controversial history and our cultural retelling of it is inaccurate, the traditional Thanksgiving meal can help us reflect on how we lead others. So this week, as we approach the holiday, we’ll partake in our own annual tradition of revisiting the ideas of Banquet Leadership, Potluck Leadership, andContinue reading “What is Thanksgiving Leadership?”
Rewinding “Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?”
Have you been on either side of a job interview recently? As mentioned last week, job interviews don’t always show the candidate at their best or most authentic; heightened stress and excitement often lead to a situation where both sides need to sift through what was said to get to find out if this isContinue reading “Rewinding “Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?””
Noticing Potential, Promise, and Authenticity
Formal, structured conversations have a particular feeling unlike any other. Think of job interviews. How many have you been a part of – either as the interviewee or one of the interviewers? Remember the tension in the air? The desire to impress? The fear of screwing up? Role-plays are a regular feature of my executiveContinue reading “Noticing Potential, Promise, and Authenticity”
Recognizing Burnout in Yourself and Others
Everyone has had the experience of being exhausted by a difficult workday. And we’ve all had hard seasons that we’ve needed to get through and were so glad they were over. But if this continues day after day for months or years on end, it can lead to burnout. We’ve all been worn out, orContinue reading “Recognizing Burnout in Yourself and Others”
Building Bridges Leadership 