We Are All Chameleons

If you’ve been to one of my webinars, you might have seen this picture before. This chameleon is my favorite metaphor for how our emotions shift. Just as his skin changes with his environment, our emotions shift throughout the day in response sometimes to tiny stimuli. We too shift our colors. We might go red […]

The Beach: What We Share

Twenty-five years ago when I started coming to this beach, I was lucky to see a few birds here and there. But then, conservationists started roping off nesting areas and protecting breeding grounds from the walkers and dogs who frequent the beach. According to the signs posted, the areas were protecting piping plovers. These are […]

Emotions Are Contagious

I ran into this playful monkey while visiting my nephew in Costa Rica last spring. I love how he is completely at home whether he is crawling down a branch or taking a flying leap. Surefooted and acrobatic, he goes where he pleases. There is no hesitation, only a lovely moment of enjoying a ride […]

Whales: Part of the Natural World We Share

Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a naturalist at heart. Every day, I try to get out into the world we share and wonder at the majesty and beauty that invariably appears before me. So this week, I’m sharing a few personal moments in nature that have left a lasting impression on me, starting […]

My Gratitude Project 2026: What We Share

Every November, I dedicate 30 days to gratitude. This year, I’m focusing on what we share. I hope My Gratitude Project will serve as a tiny antidote to the division that is driving so much of our public discourse. Each week, I’ll focus on a theme that is a source of joy and happiness to […]

Empathy and Buy-In: Hear What People Aren’t Saying

Empathy and buy-in go together, because people are reluctant to say their real objections out loud. A decision gets made in a meeting. No one objects. You leave feeling good about it. Then nothing moves. Deadlines slip. The work happens slowly, or not quite the way you agreed. When you ask, everyone says they’re working […]

Steady Under Pressure: The Confidence Senior Leaders Look For

Can you stay steady under pressure when not everyone agrees with you? Picture a meeting where a decision has to be made. The data is incomplete. The room is split. Everyone is looking at you. Some leaders hold back. They ask for one more analysis, one more meeting, hoping the group will settle it for […]

You Can’t Mandate Alignment. Here’s How Strong Leaders Earn It.

You can’t mandate alignment, no matter how clearly you explain the goal. You’ve probably seen it happen. A leader rolls out the new priorities in a team meeting. The slides are clear. Everyone nods. A few weeks later, people are still working on what they cared about before. Nobody pushed back. Nobody said no. The […]

You’re Doing 80% Right. Here’s What Moves You Up.

What does the extra 20% look like when you’re already a strong leader? When I look at the results from my Leadership Skills Audit, one pattern stands out. Most of the leaders who take my Leadership Skills Audit are good. Really good. They build trust. They care about their people. They step in when outcomes […]