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?”
Category Archives: Perspectives
Fighting Bias, Building Inclusion And Chopping Firewood
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”
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”
Being Real In A Virtual World
Over the last week I have been part of a number of conversations in which people lamented that decisions were being made in their workplace – decisions that affected them directly – without any clarity about why. And the people saying this to me are long-time employees in relatively senior positions themselves, but they were eachContinue reading “Being Real In A Virtual World”
“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”
Being A “Student Of…” (Not An “Expert In…”)
Have you ever started a conversation with a friend or family member about a topic you rarely think about, only to find out that the person you’re talking to clearly knows more about this topic than 99.9% of people in the world? Maybe you saw them light up as they got a chance to talkContinue reading “Being A “Student Of…” (Not An “Expert In…”)”
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…”
How To Make Your Bed At Work
You’ve probably heard axioms along the lines of “success starts with making your bed.” You may have even seen the popular 2014 University of Texas at Austin Commencement address by Naval Admiral William H. McRaven, which has inspired thousands of people to make their beds each morning when they first wake up. But whether or not youContinue reading “How To Make Your Bed At Work”
Building Bridges Leadership 