I’ve been thinking about how much energy we put into becoming different, when maybe the better question is this: What keeps showing up in your work or relationships that actually works? What instincts have you trusted all year without naming them? What do you return to when you’re tired, overwhelmed, or in need of clarity? […]
Should You Reinforce What’s New or True? Read More »
This season tends to stir up a lot—plans, traditions, and expectations we barely notice we’re carrying. Many of us step into hosting or attending with the best intentions: to make people feel welcome, cared for, and nourished. But sometimes, in the swirl of doing, we lose the part that matters most—the part where we actually
Bring the Side Dish—and Yourself Read More »
I finally got to see Jacob Collier live, and I’m still buzzing. Collier is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, and producer. If you’ve never watched one of his audience choruses, do yourself a favor and click play. He stands onstage—shoeless, beaming—and lifts his hand like he’s pulling sound from the ceiling. Then something wild happens. Thousands
You Don’t Need Perfect Pitch to Harmonize Read More »
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 »