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: Perspectives
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”
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”
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”
Power of the People > the People in Power
“Power to the People!” John Lennon sang in 1971, bringing music to a slogan that had been chanted and shouted by young people across the US to protest the Vietnam War over the previous few years. Meanwhile, “All Power to the People” was also being chanted by the Black Panthers to protest what they perceivedContinue reading “Power of the People > the People in Power”
The Anti-AI Revolution at 2026 Graduations
I might pay attention to graduation speeches each year more than the average person. Despite missing my own graduation to work overseas, and sitting in torrential rain during for my graduate degree commencement ceremony a few years later, I then had the joy of working at Harvard University’s commencement ceremonies for more than a decade,Continue reading “The Anti-AI Revolution at 2026 Graduations”
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?”
Building Bridges Leadership 