Category mindfulness
What Public Problem Are You Working To Solve And Why?
When faced with this type of question, how would you answer? I was recently challenged with this very question when applying for a fellowship. I appreciate this type of question because it causes us to think and to state who we are and what we are all about. I feel strongly that many of the […]
The Resilient Leader: A Tribute
In honor of Thay’s homecoming yesterday – after living in exile for 51 years. Welcome home! Mindfulness in a Changing World: The Teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh. As we attempt to navigate the unremitting surge of life, pressing us forward, many look to the guidance of spiritual leaders. We do so in order to realize […]
Receiving Feedback: A Letter To A Mentor
One of the things I most admire about individuals who consistently perform at optimal levels is their willingness to put themselves into situations where they constantly receive feedback. This idea of gathering as much feedback and information as possible – in order to achieve and maintain high-level performance – is outlined in the work of […]
The Complex Emotions of Leadership
It seems as if very few people are willing or capable of exploring complex emotions; especially leaders. Why is it that leaders frequently miss opportunities to engage and support team members as they experience complex emotions? Do leaders lack understanding of complex emotions? Has time become such a scarce resource that we only engage challenging […]
The Apology of a Daring Leader
Apologizing is not weakness Owning our missteps – shows humanity, an acknowledgement of responsibility, humility, and vulnerability The process of apologizing helps us reset and reprioritize the things we value An apology clears the way for new beginnings and possibilities Saying I’m sorry will help us move towards growth and understanding A Case […]
The Hopeful Cynic
The Hopeful Cynic “When you are cynical, you are never disappointed. It’s courageous to hope, because at some point, you will get your heart broken.” I recently heard Carrie Newcomer make this statement as she was being interviewed by Krista Tippett for an episode of the thought-provoking “onbeing” podcast series. Dear readers, these words have […]
This Weary Traveler
Gratitude from the road…. Over the last four months, I have been traveling to Philadelphia every four weeks in the pursuit of an additional certification in Applied Positive Psychology. My travel occurs in the late afternoon or evenings following what is typically a very full workday. There are no direct flights from Austin to Philadelphia […]
Other People Matter
A favorite saying of mine is, “Other People Matter”. I really love the simplicity, broad implications, and the spirited possibility for us all to more clearly see and hear one another. One of my indirect mentors Christopher Peterson, Professor of Psychology at the University of Michigan, co-author of Characters, Strengths, and Virtues, researcher and one of the founders […]
Case Study: A Leader’s Journey
After our last post you should have a solid understanding of the Four Intelligences. As we jump into a real-life case study (where names and workplaces have been changed in order to protect the players involved), I challenge you to analyze how the story’s leader, Mark, uses his innate characteristics and learned competencies in order […]
There’s More to Intelligence than an IQ!
Part 2 of a Multi-Part Series Last week, we answered the paramount question: “Who am I as a leader?” We took time to distinguish between the Characteristics and Competencies of leadership, and touched on the connection to Multiple Intelligence Theory. In this post, we’ll define and explore the application of the Four Intelligences. At the […]
Leadership and Reasoning 