Tag: Purpose
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Building the Bridge to Decentralized Organizations
Last week, a friend sent me a McKinsey Quarterly article titled “A new operating model for a new world.” She leads a very rare and special doctoral program in transpersonal leadership and business at Sofia University, and she has been reading my book, Organizing for Impact. Her message to me, with the article included, contained…
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I’m Struggling to Focus on Anything But Crisis
I have to be honest, the work I’m doing feels rather insignificant given the state of the world at present. I’m struggling to focus on what I consider an important and impactful purpose when everyone, including myself, is not just distracted by but deeply emotionally impacted by the heinous actions and terrifying images coming out…
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Building Infrastructure for Self-Managing Organizations
I’ll be honest, I’m spread thin right now. Building infrastructure for self-managing organizations across multiple channels and services centered around my recent book, Organizing for Impact, is definitely a lot. Some days it feels like too much, like I’m trying to gain visibility and traction with seven different things at once, and doing none of…
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Why I Keep Fighting for People-Positive Workplaces
Every week for the past year and a half, I’ve shown up to write about something most organizations still treat as optional: creating people-positive workplaces where people can actually thrive. I published a book. I launched a Substack. I wrote blog posts exploring everything from dehumanizing corporate language to the mechanics of distributed decision-making. I’ve…
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Stop Planning to Avoid Failure. Start Planning to Create Possibility.
Picture a planning meeting where most of the energy goes into identifying what could go wrong. People talk about risks, contingencies, and backup plans. The conversation focuses on how to protect against failure rather than what you’re trying to create. This is fear-based planning, and it’s incredibly common in organizations. While it may feel responsible…
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From Firefighting to Foresight: Escaping the Reaction Trap
Leaders in nonprofits know the rhythm of change and uncertainty all too well. Another funding crisis. Another unexpected staff departure. Another policy change, community need, or board priority dropped in your lap with a demand for an immediate response. It’s one fire after another, and before you know it, firefighting is the job. The problem…
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The Inner Work of Resilience
Democracy feels fragile right now. Funding streams are drying up while policies emerge that directly threaten the communities many of us serve. The news cycle has become relentless, with fresh crises seemingly arriving daily. When the external world feels this chaotic, inner-focusing practices like reflection, emotional regulation, and personal growth can seem like an indulgence.…
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A Garden of Impact: Cultivating Self-Compassion in Leadership
Empathy is a strength. It also needs refilling. This piece offers simple, personal practices to cultivate self-compassion so your leadership stays steady and effective.
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Don’t Burn Out Chasing Goals, Nurture Outcomes Instead
Mission-driven leaders are no strangers to pressure or to chasing goals that never stop moving. Whether it’s meeting fundraising goals, proving impact to funders, or keeping a team motivated through uncertainty, the demands never seem to ease up. The work is meaningful, but the weight of it can be heavy. In the middle of all…
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Leading Through Self-Doubt: Quieting the Voice That Holds You Back
Leadership doesn’t come with a guidebook for what to do when your confidence falters. You might be months into a new role, or years into a trusted one, and still find yourself navigating moments when the ground feels shaky. It might show up as imposter syndrome, second-guessing your judgment, or hesitating to speak up in…