A few days after 9/11, I was at the World Bank stage-managing an event I had led the design of, working directly with Jim Wolfensohn, then president of the Bank. The atmosphere was understandably raw. During his short speech Wolfensohn did something I had never seen there before. He asked people to hold hands. At […]
Leading Through Uncertainty Read More »
One of the lessons I’ve learned from leading large-scale change is that the problem you see is often not the problem you need to solve. Years ago, I worked with the American Nurses Association on Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation, an initiative to measurably improve the health of America’s nurses. One issue we encountered was surprisingly
Look for the System Behind the Problem Read More »
Devi and I got rained out for my annual backcountry trip up north. Rain every day, all throughout the Adirondacks and beyond. I was able to find a weak spot in the storm in the New Paltz / Ellenville / Woodstock area. We travelled around there and spent lots of time in woods for last
A Different Adventure Read More »
I was at Politics and Prose, one of my favorite DC bookstores, when I came across this wall in the basement, the results of their 2026 bookmark contest me. From a distance it’s a wonderful explosion of color and creativity. Hundreds of bookmarks, all gathered together into one exuberant piece of art. However, each bookmark
This summer I’ve been learning something completely new: Mahjong. Once a week I join a neighborhood group around a kitchen table. I’m the only man, surrounded by a wonderful group of women who have welcomed me with patience, laughter, and more than a little good-natured teasing. Mahjong has reminded me that every beginner looks awkward,
This weekend Devi had two classrooms. The first was the woods on the shore of the mighty Potmac, close to where I live.. There, she began learning one of the fundamentals she will need for her first extended overnight in the back country coming up later in August: how to lead on the trail. Stay
Many Worlds. One Lesson. Read More »
The word competition comes from the Latin competere, “to strive together.” Originally, it wasn’t about defeating someone else. It was about bringing out the best in one another. Watching our two dogs race through our backyard reminded me of that older meaning. They chase, feint, sprint, and change direction in an instant. One pulls ahead,
8-month old Devi has begun her training for the backpacking journeys ahead with an empty pack, just getting used to it. Her next lessons will be: leading on the trail, and learning that campsite is home. There’s something deeply satisfying about the beginning, when every experience is new and every small success feels like discovery.
Where does transformational change really begin? Most leaders would answer. “Strategy.” After spending more than three decades working alongside CEOs leading major transformations, I’ve come to a different conclusion. Strategy matters, but transformation begins where the leader creates the environment that an entire organization needs to move together. So, I would answer, “Alignment.” When strategy
Creating the Environment for Extraordinary Change Read More »
Thirty-two years ago, Laura and I stood facing each other at Strong Mansion on Sugarloaf Mountain, and promised to build a life together. We’ve raised two remarkable children, traveled the world, weathered losses, celebrated victories, and continued discovering new dimensions in each other. Laura has never stopped inspiring me with her courage, musical creativity, inner
