Dear Change Leader, I’m writing this newsletter shortly after the summer solstice, almost at the midpoint of the year, as people traditionally prepare for their summer holidays. Given this transition point, I’d like to explore the benefit of pausing in the midst of what continues to be a hectic year. Imagine that you are […]
Appreciating The Clearing: Finding Perspective in the Midst of the Journey Read More »
Dear Change Leader, Picture this: A small dinosaur stands at the edge of a cliff, its body covered in what we now know were primitive feathers—originally evolved for warmth and display, not flight. Below stretches an unfamiliar landscape, changed by shifting climates and new predators. The old hunting grounds have dried up. The familiar food
Dear Change Leader, When a storm strikes, it’s not the strongest tree that necessarily survives—it’s the grove with intertwined root systems supporting each other through the gale. As we continue exploring resilience, let’s focus on what might be the most powerful dimension: relational resilience—the unique strength that emerges when teams bond through disruption. The
The Bonds That Rebuild: Cultivating Team Resilience Read More »
Dear Change Leader, Imagine this scene with me… It’s a windy day in the forest. Trees sway dramatically as gusts intensify, their rustling growing louder in your ears. Suddenly, one tree—its roots perhaps not as deeply anchored as others—topples onto a power line. An electrical arc sends sparks flying in all directions. In these
Finding Renewal in Disruption: The Forest Fire Principle of Resilience Read More »
Dear Change Leader, Have you ever found yourself in a meeting where half the agenda items feel like routine business, while the other half discuss existential threats to your organization? This cognitive whiplash isn’t just common in leadership today—it’s the defining feature. Consider what might be on your plate this week: Your finance team needs
Leading Through Complexity: Embracing the Messy Middle Read More »
Dear Change Leader, Would you fly on this airline? “We will no longer perform regular maintenance on our aircraft.” “Due to our hiring freeze, there will only be one pilot on the flight deck.” Imagine an airline making these announcements in the name of cost-cutting. Your reaction would likely be a mix
Dear Change Leader, Has anyone ever spoken to you like this? “Don’t you dare challenge me again.” “That’s a stupid idea” “Who asked you?” Ouch. That hurts. Think back to a time when you heard words like these. Notice how, even now, just remembering might make you feel unsettled. There’s a reason for that: emotions
When Leaders (Over) React: The Hidden Cost of Unmanaged Emotions Read More »
I’d never witnessed this before. A national election was threatening to tear a country apart. A high risk of violence by supporters of the losing party. Uncertainty about how the work of our organization would be impacted by the new government. I was unsure who I could trust in the workplace to speak about my
Unleashing Collective Wisdom: Using “Wise Crowds” to Supercharge your Leadership In today’s fast-paced environment, leaders are continually confronted by new and unfamiliar situations. This means that they are also looking for guidance on how to deal with these novel challenges. When you are facing something you’ve not encountered before, where do you turn for
The Wisdom of the Crowd! Read More »
When was the last time you critically examined your organization’s Purpose and Identity? If it’s been a while, you might be missing out on crucial opportunities for growth and adaptation. Don’t make the mistake of viewing your company’s Purpose and Identity as fixed and unchangeable… Let me tell you a story about a little paper
Lead with Confidence: Mastering Purpose and Identity for Organizational Readiness Read More »