I learned this approach to conflict engagement from Hugh O’Doherty, one of Ron Heifetz’s colleagues. Hugh was visiting faculty for the Organization Systems Renewal (OSR) graduate program for many years, providing multiple cohorts an unforgettable visceral experience of “Adaptive Leadership.” You can read more about Hugh here. If you want to know more about the […]
The Conversation is the Relationship
Foundations of Authentic Leadership
Wednesday, September 13th, 2017Foundations of Authentic Leadership Workshop | Seattle | November 3-4 Greetings friends! As I complete the harvest of my bountiful garden (raspberries and grapes still coming, potatoes dug last weekend), and watch the jays ramp up their harvest of sunflower seeds from spent flowers throughout the garden, I’m also thinking of other harvests in my […]
Authentic Leadership In Action
Wednesday, May 17th, 2017Summer Leadership Intensive I’m excited that the ALIA2017 Summer Leadership Intensive is approaching! “Authentic Leadership in Action: Engaging the Differences That Divide Us.” Our team is working hard to make this a powerful experience for all participants. You will find a safe yet challenging place to stretch your way of thinking and open to possibilities […]
Talking About Systems Thinking
Monday, January 2nd, 2017Greetings and thanks! And Happy New Year wishes to my entire network of friends and collaborators. I’m grateful to be connected to all of you. For those of you in Olympia, I look forward to talking about systems thinking and leadership with some of you this year. 2017 First Wednesday Conversation Systems Thinking for Social […]
My Journal Ritual
Wednesday, November 23rd, 2016Ritual I use a blank-page hard-bound notebook as a journal. For the last few years I’ve bought them from Olyphant Art & Media in Olympia. It takes me about seven months to fill this kind of notebook. I write reflections, notes about meetings or conversations, the occasional list, snippets of overheard conversations for use in […]
Authentic Leadership CoP
Thursday, September 29th, 2016Authentic Leadership Community of Practice On Saturday September 17 the Seattle/Olympia Authentic Leadership Community of Practice met in Seattle for our first joint gathering since the launch in May. The Seattle and Olympia contingents also met locally three times over the summer, and will continue that pattern through the fall. There were 25 chairs in […]
Immigration & the Salad Bowl
Wednesday, July 6th, 2016“Immigrants and Refugees: Fear of the ‘Other’ Runs Deep.” I wrote a letter to the Thurston County Democrats, published in the July 2016 issue (not yet available online) of “The Democrat,” in response to this well-meaning and progressive essay about immigration (p. 7) in the February 2016 newsletter. This essay ended with these words, which […]
Race, Environmentalism, Justice
Wednesday, May 25th, 2016Rinku Sen is the President of RaceForward – the Center for Racial Justice Innovation and the publisher of Colorlines. I recently watched a video of her 2015 talk at the Bioneers Conference in the Bay Area. The title of her 23 minute talk was: “Both/And/All: Environmentalism and Racial Justice.” She spoke about the relationship between […]
Authentic Leadership in Action
Wednesday, May 25th, 2016I want to let you know about the Authentic Leadership In Action 2016 Summer Leadership Intensive taking place in July at Naropa University in Boulder, CO. Details are contained in the attached flyer 2016 LeadershipForGood-Flyer I’m excited about this gathering because it’s the first Authentic Leadership In Action SLI to take place at Naropa (after […]
Evolving Worldviews
Thursday, January 21st, 2016I just finished reading “Everything is Workable – a Zen Approach to Conflict Resolution,” by Diane Musho Hamilton (published by Shambhala). I bought this book because I wanted to expand my thinking about the source of conflict (i.e., different worldviews) and how to respond in a helpful way. “Everything is Workable” complements what I have […]