I talk with a wide variety of people. They come from different places and backgrounds. Men and women, at various points in their lives; we talk about many different questions and subjects. One thing that almost all of these people share is a sense about their lives. Many of the people I work with are thoughtful and intentional. They have considered what they want from life and set out on a course of action. They have accomplished their goals and... Read more
Leadership is not about knowing the right answer. In many ways, I was brought up to be a person who finds the right answer and gives it to other people. At school, at home, at church, life was a puzzle to be solved and I was shaped to seek the answers that would solve it. Knowing the right answer was valued; not knowing the answer was not. Knowing the right answer made you a leader; not knowing the answer did not.... Read more
I believe in the spark, the moment of flash that ignites the flame. The spark is born out of friction, things grinding against each other and releasing energy. An unseen spark can ignite a fire that changes everything. My life is a series of sparks. Many of my sparks are completely unexpected, surprises that flare up to light the darkness. I was brought up to extinguish fires. Many of the people around me are afraid of fire, and think that... Read more
Life has a rhythm. We become accustomed to living at a particular pace, at a certain depth. We work hard and play hard, we strive toward our goals, and we accept that life is a certain way. We accept the stresses and strains of life, and we try not to let them overwhelm us. Slowly, but surely, the choices we make shape the way we live our lives. Life has subtle ways of squeezing us into uncomfortable spaces. We may... Read more
What is your super power? What is the skill that makes you a super hero? Are you faster than a speeding bullet? More powerful than a locomotive? Are you able to leap tall buildings in a single bound? You may not have the combination of powers that makes you Superman. You do have the unique mixture of core values and passion that makes you your true self. You are able to do something better than anyone else. You have the ability... Read more
Leadership is learned in community. While I have learned a great deal about leadership by reading books, I have come to appreciate and become the leader I am by living in communities. My understanding of leadership has been shaped by many different communities: in my family, in schools, in different work environments, volunteering in community groups, in several social networking communities. Each has given me lessons and opportunities that have shaped the leader I am becoming. Each has helped me... Read more
Story drives revolution. Story weaves all of humanity together. Stories give us hope that things can change. They help us understand the people who tell them. In The Non-Profit Narrative, Dan Portnoy tells organizations, profit as well as nonprofit, how to put their stories to work. He fills his book with clear and compelling examples of groups and individuals who recognize and tap into the power of story to connect with the people around them. The Why is more important... Read more
Sometimes I get up during the night and sit in the dark. I wonder what it must have been like before we learned about electricity when our only light was from the sun or from flame. Now we are surrounded by bright light, light that overwhelms the light of the stars in the night sky. We obliterate darkness lamps, headlights, flashlights, the glow from so many screens, even cell phones that light up. It is hard to even imagine what... Read more
I write and talk a lot about core values. Core values are the ground in which my truest, deepest self grows. They are what I have always valued. They were shaping me even before I recognized what they were. They define who I am becoming. My vision for myself and personal goals are based in my core values. Finding my true self often begins in finding my core values. One of my core values is being balanced. Balance does not... Read more
Working with my hands has never been my greatest strength. I have always been better at grasping things with my mind and my heart than at building things with my hands. My hands tend to be more expressive than pragmatic. There are a few things that I do well with my hands. I tend to talk with them, even when I am on my phone. I have learned new ways to work with my hands on my iPad, which helps... Read more
Strategic Monk
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