Insights
From the field.
Essays, notes, and observations on leadership, workforce transformation, and the shape of good work.
Wisdom Wednesday: The Manager You Automated Was Never the Manager You Needed
Wisdom Wednesday: The Reckoning, Week 1Four weeks.
Wisdom Wednesday - Go Be Pretty: Hedy Lamarr and the Invention They Refused to Credit
Part 5 of the Revolutionary Leadership Series- The history books gave you the category.
Wisdom Wednesday: The Art of the Long Game: What Stephen Sondheim Knew About Building What the Market Doesn't Know It Wants Yet
Part 4 of the Revolutionary Leadership SeriesYou already think you know Stephen Sondheim.The greatest composer-lyricist in Broadway history.
Wisdom Wednesday: The Quiet Coup: MacKenzie Scott and the Destruction of the Fortress
Part 3 of the Revolutionary Leadership SeriesWealth is usually a wall.In the upper echelons of global power, capital functions as fortification: a tool to protectlegacy, insulate ego, and maintain a safe distance from th
The Benefits Are There. The Door Is Locked. That's the Real Crisis.
Marcus is a 44-year-old senior project manager at a mid-size technology firm.Meet Marcus.Marcus is a 44-year-old senior project manager at a mid-size technology firm.
Wisdom Wednesday: The Cost of Conviction: Joan of Arc - When the Vision is a Fire
Part 2 of the Revolutionary Leadership SeriesHere is what the history books tend to leave out about Joan of Arc: she wasn't operating on faith alone.Yes, she heard voices.
Wisdom Wednesday: The Underground CEO - Harriet Tubman's Strategy in the Shadows
Part 1 of the Revolutionary Leadership Series - publishing each Wednesday in July 2026History has a habit of declawing its geniuses.The version of Harriet Tubman most of us were handed - a brave woman with a lantern, a s
Wisdom Wednesday: The Gold in the Cracks
The Gold in the Cracks There is a Japanese art form called Kintsugi.When a ceramic vessel breaks, the artist does not discard it.
Wisdom Wednesday: Where Rainbows and Unicorns Go To Die
The corporate parade is over.The glitter is in the gutter.
Wisdom Wednesday - The Originating Circle: Who Owns the Conversation?
Who owns the air in your office?When you walk into a meeting, who is actually dictating the rhythm of the room?
Wisdom Wednesday: The Pulse of Pride - Shattering the Beige to Find Your Real Executive Voice
What is the cost of the executive mask?
Wisdom Wednesday: Merge. Pivot. Step, Ball, Change.
The fluorescent lights of the boardroom felt sharper than usual.
Wisdom Wednesday - Stop Counting Stars: Why Efficiency is the Greatest Enemy of Great Leadership
We have become a desert of spreadsheets.
Wisdom Wednesday: AI Founders Need the Arts to Build a Future Worth Having
Marcus had the kind of pitch deck investors usually praise.Clean slides.
Wisdom Wednesday - Spring Awakening: Three Cultural Guardians Protecting Heritage in Bloom
"Good morning, Guardians."The voice isn't coming from a speaker in a hidden headquarters.
Gravity and Grace: The Weight of the People Who Hold Us Up
There is a specific kind of silence that lives at the top.
Wisdom Wednesday: Why Being Known is the Only Leadership Metric That Matters
Elena sat in the back of the town hall, her notebook open to a page of jagged, disconnected lines.
Wisdom Wednesday: The Mass of Memory
Ever feel like your company is trying to sprint through a swimming pool filled with molasses?
Wisdom Wednesday - The Architecture of Momentum: Why Eco-Justice is a High-Density Leadership Practice
"An Earth Day, April 22nd, Preamble"Last Tuesday, I sat across from Maya, a CEO who looked like she’d been trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube in the dark for three weeks straight.
The 48-Week Operating System: Why 'Think Tank Thursday' is the Secret Weapon for Busy Execs
Jordan Lee sat in a glass-walled corner office overlooking the financial district, staring at a stack of "AI Strategy" reports that were already six months out of date.
The Hidden Cost of Corporate Belonging: When Your Workplace Family Divorces You
The first time Sasha heard the word "family" used in an All-Hands meeting, she felt a warm, fuzzy surge of safety.
Wisdom Wednesday - The Burden of Belonging: A 30-Day Soul Audit
Have you ever felt the ground turn into liquid beneath your feet?
The Integrity Budget: Why Radical Honesty is Your Only Liquid Asset
Let’s be real for a second: most teams are running closer to the edge than they think.
Wisdom Wednesday: Lessons from the Front Lines of Climate Justice
It’s Wednesday, and usually, we’re talking about spreadsheets, org charts, or how to stop your middle managers from fleeing to the competition like they’re escaping a sinking ship.
Wisdom Wednesday: Harmonizing the Latency Between Your Intent and Your Impact
Have you ever felt like your leadership is operating on a three-second delay?
Do You Really Need RTO Mandates? The Future of Work and High-Performance Cultures
It’s Thursday, March 19, 2026.
Change Management Explained in Under 3 Minutes
You know that moment when leadership says, “Quick update… we’re changing how we work”?
Speed over Synergy: Why the 30-Day Sprint is the Cure for Generational Ghosting
"Jax," Eleanor sighed, the sound of a woman who missed the 1990s.
Quiet Questions, Loud Change
✔️ Schedule Bi-Weekly 1:1’s with each team member✔️ Schedule Bi-weekly Leadership Team Meeting✔️ Schedule Weekly Stand-up Check-in✔️ Schedule Quarterly Performance & Development Check-inI used to think leadership was a c
Women’s History Month Edition - Working Through Time: The Many Careers of Eleanor
She didn’t know she was walking into history.She thought she was just walking into work.The door was ordinary.The moment was not.Her name is Eleanor - though across the decades she is Ellie, Ella, Ms.
The Science of Being a Girl - Myths That Do Not Serve
The Early MessagesShe is five when the first messages arrive.Soft at first—pastel-colored gifts wrapped in glitter and ribbon.
WITNESSING GLOBAL INJUSTICE: Honoring World Day of Social Justice February 20, 2026
After thoughtful engagement with last week’s piece, we’re grateful to welcome Allan Dombroski back for another Wisdom Wednesday.Written for World Day of Social Justice, this essay continues the questions Allan is explori
Honoring Black History Month: SHE IS BLACK
Highlighting my dear friend, Allan Dombroski and his perspective, I am inviting you to read his amazing insights from an excerpt of his upcoming book The Singularity of the Soul.
Finding Joy in Leadership: A Legacy of Laughter from Catherine O'Hara
Given Humor is one of our Core Values, it would be remiss if we didn't take the time to honor the comedy legend, Catherine O'Hara, whom we lost last week.
Like It Was: How Our Memory Shapes Our Leadership
“Trouble is, CharlieThat's what everyone doesBlames the way it isOn the way it wasOn the way it neverEverWas”-Like It Was, Stephen SondheimHow does your past shape you?
Empowering Tomorrow: The Crucial Role of Youth in Shaping Education
Several years ago, I volunteered at the LGBTQ+ Youth Center in Seattle.
Dream or Nightmare? Honoring Dr. King and Wondering How We Got Here.
As we "honor" Dr.
Catalysts for Creativity? How about Chores?
It’s Sunday after the holidays.
Ditch New Year’s Resolutions. Embark on Adventures Instead.
Every January, millions of us vow to change our lives, yet by February, many have forgotten why they even started.
Wise Up! Wisdom Doesn’t Require Gifts – That Story Is a Grift.
Every year, we hear and read the story of the Three Wisemen, depicted on lawns, church grounds, movies, and TV.
Embracing the Darkness: Yule Wisdom for Modern Leaders
The holidays aren't always cheerful.
Celebrating International Human Rights Day- December 10th
“Where, after all, do universal human rights begin?
Remembering Alex: A Memory Play in Five Acts
Act 1: The Opening SceneSetting: A softly lit stage, the ambiance filled with gentle music.
The Irony of Gratitude: Finding Light in the Shadows of Ungratefulness
As we approach Thanksgiving, a time traditionally reserved for reflecting on the things we’re grateful for, I find myself leaning into an unconventional perspective: exploring the things I’m ungrateful for.
Honoring the Trans Community: Reflections on Love, Loss, and Advocacy
Ashley, Eli, Honey, Zan, Jay, Zech, CeCe, Kye, Dylan, Britt, Quin, Tiss, CJ, Taylor, Gio, Jaq, Spear, Boris, Tre, Tye, Bobbee, Echo… I could go on.
Embracing Legacy: The Enduring Impact of Cleve Jones on Love and Leadership in the LGBTQ+ Movement
I remember the weight of each loss; the silence that followed each name announced, and the determination to honor those who fought and fell.
Honoring Sacrifice Amidst Strife: A Veterans Day Reflection
As we approach Veterans Day, I’m reminded of the men and women who dedicated their lives to serving our country, including my father, Frank.
My Mom was a _itch: A Halloween Tribute
As October 31 approaches, I find myself reflecting on the vibrant spirit of my mother, who embraced Halloween with unrelenting joy.
Embracing Strength: Navigating Disability Disclosure in the Workplace During Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the disease that affects millions.
Leadership in the Garden of the Soul: Lessons from Magdalene Walker McCormick (Grandma)
In the quiet spaces of our lives, true leadership often emerges, not from grand gestures, but from the steadfast presence of those who build a foundation of safety, dignity, and possibility.
Legacy- Planting for the Future
I’m at a dinner visiting a friend and former colleague.
Harvest Season: Leading with Purpose - What are you sowing?
Forget the back-to-school chaos and the football fanfare.
Cultivation - Growing Through Connection
The Active Practices of LeadershipLet’s explore how we grow ourselves and others through meaningful engagement - transforming conflict, empowering choice, and nurturing curiosity.
The Legacy of César Chávez: A Call to Action in Today's America
Honor the Past.
Are you having an Egg-estitial Crisis?
Feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to diversify endlessly?
The Unsung Heroes: The Power and Influence of Followers in Leadership
Exploring the dynamics of followers in leadership is a fascinating topic that challenges the conventional narrative where leaders receive most of the credit.
The Art of Leadership: Crafting Influence through Creativity
Art, in its many forms—be it painting, sculpting, writing, dance, theater, or music—has a profound impact.
“Unleash Your Inner Leader: Timeless Lessons from History's Greatest Crisis Navigators”
Crisis Leadership Isn't Just for History Books—It's Your Daily RealityLeadership isn't a title reserved for presidents, prime ministers, or CEOs.
The Influence of Friends on Leadership: A Personal & Musical Journey
Leadership isn’t just about authority or vision; it’s deeply rooted in relationships, especially those we foster with friends.
Indigenous Peoples and AI: Defending Rights, Shaping Futures
International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples (August 9, 2025)As I sit on the weathered steps of my great-grandmother’s (Granny) home, I notice the wildflowers growing all around her front porch steps.
Disability Awareness Month: Celebrating Strength and Compassion through the Legacy of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan
As we observe the sunset of Disability Awareness Month, it is essential to reflect on the rich tapestry of experiences that shape the lives of individuals with disabilities.
Celebrating National Parents Day: Leadership Begins at Home
In our fast-paced society, it’s easy to overlook the lasting influence of parenthood on leadership.
What Nelson Mandela Can Teach Us About Living Bigger Than Our Circumstances. International Nelson Mandela Day – July 18
Have you ever wondered how Nelson Mandela managed to stay hopeful and kind—despite spending 27 years in prison and fighting for freedom and justice?
The Fury of Belonging
A few years ago, I had the privilege of working alongside Sara, a talented lawyer who happened to have a physical disability that limited her mobility.
Why Are You So Upset? Taking the 'Con' out of Conflict.
Disagreements are an inevitable part of life, and when they arise, they can have a significant emotional impact on our relationships.
Reflection: Honoring My Mother’s Legacy Through the Spirit of Juneteenth
June 19, it carries a dual significance for me.
You Can Be Right or You Can Be Curious: A Leadership Perspective
In today’s world, where the political climate resembles a high-stakes reality show—complete with dramatic music and surprise eliminations—the quest for being "right" has become an Olympic sport.
Wherever You Go, There You Are!
This simple, yet profound statement reminds us that no matter the external circumstances or locations we seek, the essence of who we are follows us.
Nourishing Growth: My Journey of Cooking and Cultivating Thriving Workplaces
Cooking has always been a passion of mine, a cherished part of my life that goes beyond just preparing meals.
Transformative HR Strategies for Inclusive Corporate Culture
Fresh and Fun: The New Wave of Workplace CultureI'm in the airport about to board a flight for an industry conference.
Empowering Change: Innovative Leadership Programs by Visionary Consulting
In today's dynamic business landscape, organizations are finally waking up to the realization: a vibrant culture infused with inclusivity, diversity, creativity, and relentless learning is the magic elixir that ignites i
No One Can Pee for You! Owning Your Development and the Role YOU Play.
Why owning your development is more critical now than ever?The wisest woman I’ve ever met used to always say, “No one can pee for you”.
Face the Monumental: Finding Inspiration from the World Around You.
Six hundred and thirty feet tall.
Strategic Workforce Planning for Sustainable Organizational Growth
Don't Boo - Do: Strategic Workforce PlanningIn today's rapidly evolving business landscape, organizations are constantly seeking ways to drive sustainable growth and stay ahead of the curve.
Creating Space for our Power to Choose!
14 years ago, I went to my doctor…not out of need, but necessity.
GLEANING a lesson of leadership from the LEANING Tower of Pisa
I’ve always been fascinated by things around us that are unique and provide us with a way to look at the world with a fresh and new perspective.