Navigating Political and Social Polarization in the Workplace: The Role of Leadership as Unifiers
On March 18, 1956, Martin Luther King Jr.’s sermon at the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, entitled “When Peace Becomes Obnoxious,” started with a story: “A few weeks ago, a Federal Judge handed down an edict which stated in substance that the University of Alabama could no longer deny admission to persons because […]
Accountability With Heart: Igniting Engagement Through Trust and Ownership
When Brenda took over as the Executive Director of a community outreach, nonprofit organization, she walked into a team that had lost its spark. People were burned out. Staff meetings were tense. Deadlines constantly slipped and a sense of defensiveness hung in the air. At first, Brenda responded the way many leaders do under pressure—by […]
THE INTEGRATED LEADER: Navigating Individuation with Connection
I was in a tech store the other day buying a new phone. Five people were in line getting assistance from a patient and bright young man behind the counter. A teenager came through the door and walked right past every person in line, completely oblivious to the queue. He abruptly and rudely interrupted the […]
Can Organizations Be Too Psychologically Safe?
It depends on how you define psychological safety. If you define it as making things comfortable or easy or secure for people, then yes, you can have too much psychological safety. I define psychological safety as simply a place where people can be honest. Honesty means that you can speak accurately about work progress, challenges, […]
FROM TRANSITIONS TO TRANSFORMATIONS: Exaggerating The Essential
My good friend Allan is currently in the hospital recovering from surgery that removed his voice box in response to a rare kind of throat cancer. He’s relying on tubes inserted into his abdomen for fluids and food. As a psychiatrist whose career relied on speaking and sharing his wisdom, his life will never be […]
We talk a lot about safety
We talk a lot about safety: product safety, traffic safety, bicycle safety, workplace safety, nuclear safety, etc. and I teach leaders how to create workplaces that are psychologically safe. This focus on safety in our chronically anxious society could lead us to believe that safety is the most important value in life. Safety is certainly […]
What is your Noah Project?
Noah’s project—the building of an ark—was a monumental undertaking with an enduring legacy. Despite skepticism and ridicule, Noah’s project symbolized visionary leadership and the power of perseverance for generations. His story continues to inspire people, a lasting example of how a single project, rooted in faith and determination, can have an impact that endures long […]
BREAKING THE ROUTINE: Why Change Really is as Good as a Rest
As I turn 70 next year, I have the good fortune of gaining some new perspective on my life. A lot of people look forward to the day they can “retire,” finally able to slow down, rest, and do nothing. But some of the happiest people I’ve met are not the ones who define “retirement” […]
Strong Fences, Open Gates: Mastering the Balance Between Distraction and Connection
Interruptions—whether from email, notifications, or colleagues—can have a negative impact on our focus and productivity. Interruptions are not just minor annoyances, they are “toxic” to concentration and the quality of work produced. There is much scientific studies that show that it can take up to 30 minutes to regain focus after being interrupted, and that […]
From Shadows To Sunrise: How Feeling Irrelevant Signals Imminent Change
Sometimes, the most meaningful insights occur when we admit our deepest uncertainties. This past week, I talked with a friend, Gord Sarkissian, about some of my feelings of irrelevance at this stage in life and career. It wasn’t easy to voice my self-doubts as I emerge into this next chapter of my life. Gord listened […]
