Here on the East Coast of the USA, we are in the middle of a serious snow and ice storm, the kind that slows everything down and makes the world feel smaller and quieter. Yesterday afternoon, with the sleet coming down, I looked out through our deck and saw a bright red cardinal perched beside […]
The Cardinal Outside Read More »
When a challenge depends on actors you do not control, incentives you cannot align internally, and commitments that must be made across institutional boundaries, treating it as organizational work becomes counterproductive. An iceberg is a useful metaphor here. From the surface, an iceberg looks manageable. Its visible mass suggests scale, effort, and risk. But what
Hidden Costs of Treating Ecosystem Challenges as Organizational Read More »
Many organizations are still staffed for the world that made them successful, not the one they are navigating now. As technology, AI, and business models shift, leadership requires a different way of thinking about roles, risk, and growth. Here are six truths I see again and again in organizations that are getting this right. Hat
Six Leadership Truths for Intentional Organization Design Read More »
This week, I want to shine a light on my wife, Laura, an award-winning songwriter whose music quite literally lights up my life. Her work has earned top honors from the Washington Area Music Awards and the Mid-Atlantic Song Contest. This year, her music is up for consideration for multiple Wammie Awards, which is both
The Music That Lights Up My Life Read More »
Most leadership teams respond to stubborn problems the same way. They sharpen the strategy, clarify accountabilities, add metrics, and launch another initiative. When that fails, they work harder. But some problems do not fail because strategy is weak. They fail because strategy is no longer sufficient. These challenges live between organizations, professions, incentives, and identities.
When Strategy Is Not Enough: How Leaders Know It’s Time for an Ecosystem Solution Read More »
We welcomed the New Year in the best way I know: with music, friends, and a little bit of magic. New Year’s Day, my wife, Laura Baron, joined Dave Ylvisaker at Zinnia’s downstairs bar to sing in 2026. For an hour or so, the room hung suspended in that inimitable space where time slows, and
Presence, Connection, and Song Read More »
This is the last Monday Morning Mojo of the year, and I always feel a great invitation at this moment. The year does not end with fireworks for me. It ends with cleanup. This week I am creating a clear financial overview, business and personal, so I know exactly where I stand and what I
Closing the Year, Clearing the Way Read More »
Last week, I was in the kitchen cooking vegan Malai Kofta. In the pic, I am holding the pan with the kaftas There was flour on the counter, cashews soaking, spices blooming in hot EarthBalance, and at one point, I realized I was smiling and just cooking. Slowly. With care. For people I love. That
Tis the Season for Malai Kofta! Read More »
Successful change ultimately rests on the support of the people who are responsible for implementing it. Without their buy-in, even the most promising initiative will stall. This is why leaders must be strategic in how they communicate and introduce new ideas. One of the most common mistakes I see is trying to convince everyone at
How to Sequence Communication for Successful Change Read More »
I was recently faced with three different sizes of Tootsie Rolls on my counter. It got me to thinking. Same recipe. Same flavor, same soul. The question is, how much Tootsie Roll? These are the kinds of questions that stir the heart. Christmas is ten days away, and here in the States, that’s a big
Right Sizing Bite Sizes Read More »
