One of the first things Dr. Lester Stephens, the chair of my thesis committee, asked me to do was to take the walk across Jackson Street from LeConte Hall (where the History Department lives) to the Anthropology department in Baldwin Hall. Once there, I was to ask Dr. Charles Hudson, the leading anthropologist studying the […]
Why Stability is Important
In the discussions around “digital transformation” and “innovation” and “agility” and our “VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous) world” – we forget that safety and security is a significant human need. Instead, the discussion centers around how we all need to be more innovative, agile, flexible, and better able to cope with chaos. I think […]
Those Who Wish to See You Fail
There is always one stakeholder who will be happy if your project fails. Peter Bregman and Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez, Harvard Business Review I wish this maxim wasn’t true. In my experience, it’s often who you least expect. Something about your project or change effort threatens them. To your face, they may tell you all of the […]
Are Your Leaders Supported?
What does the support system for your organization’s leadership look like? Who is their “boss?” Activist shareholders who are trying to make their 10x investment and get out in the next year? A University Board of Directors wishing to put their college in US News and World Reports Top College and University rankings? Or just […]
The Step Before the System
Perks are great, but they are detached from the day-to-day. Often, perks are a way to “shield” managers and executives from the sticky task of creating a healthy, humane, and sustainable day-to-day environment. “We have a wellness program, what’s your problem?” What if you have me on so many disparate projects that I don’t have […]
2 Models of Community Building
A couple of weeks back, I asked: “What we are paying attention to?” I wanted to take the opportunity to share 2 YouTube creators who are modeling what I would like to see more of in the world. Interestingly, these models are coming from the gamer community. Yes – the community known for hostility, GamerGate, […]
The Evolution of Workplace Learning
Back in 2009, Dr. Tony Karrer predicted that Workplace Learning Professionals would morph into “management consultants”. At the time, my reaction was “I dunno – that term seems so charged.” I think of the overpriced “consultants” that have invaded more than one of my corporate environments because decision-makers won’t listen to people from within the […]
Fast Zebras
Almost 10 years ago, Harvard Business Review introduced the idea of “Fast Zebras.” A fast zebra is someone who is singularly focused on achieving performance results, knows how the organization can both hinder and help, and charts their course accordingly. In particular, they are wise about when to use the formal and rational elements of […]
How Our Attention Gets Hijacked
We are easily manipulated into compliance with someone else’s demands. Robert Cialdini, Regents’ Professor of Psychology at Arizona State University, identified six principles that, when used deftly, can cause an individual to say “yes” to a request: Reciprocation Consistency Social Proof Liking Authority Scarcity Think about the number of people taking up residence in your […]
What Are You Amplifying?
What are you amplifying? All that is “wrong” with the world? All that is “right”? All that you want? All that you don’t? Oneness or separation? Love or hatred? Joy or sorrow? It’s become clear, to me at least, that it’s time to become mindful and careful about what we are amplifying. We have been […]
