Sports psychologists call it “self-cueing”—but it’s really just remembering to talk to yourself like someone you trust. Athletes, pilots, even surgeons use it under pressure: short, spoken cues that engage parts of the brain that silent thought can’t reach. When you quietly say, “Slow down,” “First things first,” or “Just listen,” you’re not being weird—you’re […]
Fiction: Talking to Yourself Is Weird Read More »
Fall has a way of reminding us that letting go isn’t a loss. It’s preparation for something new. The trees don’t resist; they know what needs to fall. Every year, this season shows us what grace looks like in motion. The branches don’t cling to what’s done growing. They make space for rest, for reflection,
Don’t Resist What Wants to Fall Away Read More »
A teacher may pass on in this life, but their lessons never do. Today, my heart is full of gratitude for having learned from Dr. James Doty, a brilliant mind and deeply compassionate soul whose work continues to ripple through every person he’s touched. Dr. Doty was a neurosurgeon at Stanford University and the founder
Grateful for a Mind That Opened Hearts Read More »
I recently lost my pen case. My six beloved fountain pens—the ones I carry everywhere—were gone. Some were given to me by dear friends as gifts, and I’ve used all of them to journal and start my day, every day, every morning, for years. I did just that when I recently went to Denver. I
4 Steps to Finding What Was Never Lost Read More »
I count on my friend and colleague Erika to bring something special to every gathering with her passion for art and creative expression. And if I’m being honest, every time I ask her to lead something art-related in one of our sessions, a part of me gets nervous: How are people going to respond to
Bring AI Creativity Into Your Next Team Exercise Read More »
Last month, we introduced the idea that the roles we learned to play in childhood — the ways we adapted to stress, earned connection, or kept the peace — may still be shaping how we lead today. These patterns aren’t flaws. In fact, they were incredibly intelligent strategies at the time, helping us as individuals
Understanding the Shadow Side of Your Leadership Tendencies Read More »
click for a screen reader-friendly rendering of the above image When tensions run high on a team, the natural advice is often, “Just get it off your chest.” Many leaders even encourage venting as a way to “clear the air.” But neuroscience tells a different story: Venting doesn’t calm frustration—it fuels it. Here’s why: Each
Fiction: Venting Helps You Feel Better Read More »
Lately, I’ve been asking myself one simple question before I walk into a meeting or conversation: “Am I open or protected?” I can’t relate if I’m in protection mode. It’s been a quiet way to return to myself … just enough to shift the energy I bring into the room. If this idea resonates, I
Interrupt Your Negative Self-Talk with 3 Questions from This Exec Read More »
According to Deloitte’s 2024 Global Human Capital Trends report, emotional intelligence and self-awareness are among the top five leadership capabilities identified for navigating complexity and building resilient teams. Some of the most important clues we have about our natural leadership tendencies are found in our earliest experiences on a team—our family team. I wrote about
An Invitation to Look Back So You Can Lead Forward (Try This Assessment) Read More »
From meal plans to mind-expanding book mashups, here’s how I’m using artificial intelligence to make my life easier—and a lot more fun. Lately, I’ve been leaning on ChatGPT so much that it might qualify as a new close friend. It’s fast and clever and makes me feel like I have a personal chef, research assistant,
4 Ways that AI Makes My Life Ridiculously Easier Read More »