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 »
Proactive Evolutionary Leadership builds on the past, adapts to the present, and prepares to thrive in the future. The associations thriving today are being driven by Proactive Evolutionary Leaders. Below are six tactics I see being employed by the most successful CEOs through my 100 CEOs initiative, and conversations with other expert consultants. They see
Six Tactics Proactive Evolutionary Leaders are Doing Today Read More »
On Saturday I dug up my entire garden. This meant pulling out the marigold bushes that were in full bloom. Undeterred by their resplendent beauty, I was dead set on using the one dry day I had in front of me to clear the plot. Out of the house came my 17-year-old daughter, Ruchi, to
We are living in a disruptive world with tremendous pressure. Many association leaders hunkered down, figuring out how to make it back to stable ground; they are missing the boat. The most successful CEOs are doing something very different; they appreciate and liberate the stress of the moment and leverage it to create the organizations
Proactive Evolutionary Leadership Read More »
When I was about eight years old I started attending synagogue on my own. At the time my mother was a Christian but not attending a church and my father was a non-practicing Jew. I must have felt the desire to be part of a religious community. I rode my bike to Sunday school, where
The Long and Winding Road Read More »
When we hear the term “racial equity,” we tend to think of the beneficiaries as the employees, a limited view. For 13 years, I worked with the World Bank, where I had the opportunity to work side by side and under the leadership of women and people of color. I can tell you that diversity
The Value of Diverse Leadership Read More »
