Associations have a special place in this world. We reach out through society and encompass people of all political persuasions, ethnicities, gender orientations, the marginalized, and the mainstream. Our arms encompass the world. We have an opportunity to do something remarkable with our work, link the profession, trade, or cause we represent in a way […]
Holiday Aspirations for Associations Read More »
There are so many issues in our world today where large-scale social change could make a great impact. During my 13 years at the World Bank, I had the opportunity to work within a small team that led an internal social change. We discovered that bringing people together who care deeply about a particular topic
Driving Social Change Read More »
A visionary leader is one who looks into the future to identify emerging trends and support those that are consistent with their organization’s mission and benefit a larger external stakeholder group as well. I am a proud member of the American Geophysical Union, an association of earth and space scientists. I’m not an earth or
Visionary Leadership Read More »
This is the third pizza I made from scratch over 3 days after it came out of the oven Saturday. The first was inedible. The second tasted like bowling alley pizza. However, this one was a keeper. Every once in a while I pick a food to master and I keep making it over and
During the pandemic, it’s important to take the necessary measures: masking up and social distancing the foremost. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get out. When we have to spend so much time indoors it becomes really important that we find special times to be outdoors. During a recent trip to South Carolina my daughter,
In March 2020, when the first shelter-in-place orders were issued, I leaned in hard to understand what CEOs were facing. Kicking off my 100 CEOs in 100 Days initiative, I conducted one-on-one interviews with CEOs of trade associations, professional societies, and certification organizations. I also hosted zoom meetings on specialized topics like retooling diversity, equity
New Leadership Groups Forming Read More »
Sometimes it can be challenging to find something to do that everyone enjoys. My wonderful wife, Laura, came up with a plan on the first day of Diwali – together we would construct a rangoli. It brought together my mother-in-law, Phyllis, a wonderful artist, with my daughter, Ruchi, who also loves visual art, and the
The Practice of Joy Read More »
I have been interviewing association CEOs since the pandemic began. Two recently told me that with all the pressure in their organizations right now, their organizations are “evolving” quickly. Both were optimistic in the next 18 months; they were going to be where they were hoping to be in five years in terms of nimble
Five Years in 18 Months Read More »
My dog, Sita, is a rescue German shepherd. Her litter was abandoned in rural Virginia near the West Virginia border. I drove out to pick her up with my daughter, Ruchi, in February 2012. She was the only girl in the litter. I knew instantly she was the dog I wanted to take home. In
Rescue German Shepherd in the White House Read More »
Thich Nat Hanh is a Buddhist monk who was nominated by Martin Luther King, Jr, for the Nobel Peace Prize for his work during the American war in Viet Nam. He continues his global work to this day. I recall him telling a story once in which a protester had brought a sign for peace
Grace Under Pressure Read More »
