The end of the year, the equinox, the solistice, the end of a quarter — these can all be an auspicious and meaningful times to pause, reflect, and celebrate. This guide can help, whenever you feel called to do so.
Developing a healthy relationship to change is essential, both personally and professionally, to stay connected to ourselves while adjusting creatively to changing conditions.
Talks
It's Okay to be the Boss
I was honored to return to the stage again with Leading Design San Francisco in 2023. This talk explores the relationship between being strategic and building relationships - when both are skillfully deployed, teams generate trust, unlock creativity, and drive outcomes.
Eat Only Elk
Circa 2017, this personal talk explores the role belief systems play when it comes to effective, impactful, flourishing leadership.
Mangement and leadership - are they the same or different? Yes.
Recommended Reading
A list of books for leaders and seekers. Please note that the links below are affiliate links. Any proceeds generated will be donated to The Association of Ramaytush Ohlone.
The Heart Aroused
David Whyte
What happens when you invite a poet's keen sense of observation into the corporate world? A poetic and unflinching look at the ways in which the business world forces our soul underground, and how we can reclaim it. Particularly poignant for Beowful aficionados.
Radically Condensed Instructions for Being Just as You Are
J Matthews
An incredibly straightforward and short intro to non-duality. The basic premise reminds us that all we are in each moment is the sum total of our experience. The writing is conversational, clear, and insightful with moments of bright humor. In times of stress, I find this book incredibly comforting.
The biggest threat facing companies today isn't innovation or competition, it's their inability to learn. Using a systems approach, Senge identies 5 core disciplines that learning organizations must embrace. Every year or so I re-read Chapter 8: Personal Mastery to be reminded to approach life as a creative work.
How we sit and stand can change the way we speak and think. What is it to be embodied, and how can leaders use embodiment to be more effective? Palmer and Crawford have the answers. Includes illustrated embodiment practices as well asn an look at the neuroscience of embodiment.
Not to be confused with the book 'Crucial Conversations', this is one of the best books I've read when it comes to hard conversations. The core conceit - that 'truth' is subjective and multiple - will save you hours of arguing and help you get to aligned resolutions.
Rosamund and Benjamin Zander emphasize the importance of play and show us how we trap ourselves in negative thinking. With heart warming stories of amatuer and professional musicians, this book is a beautiful invitation into possibilities and new horizons.
Parker Palmer invites us into the deepest, most meaningful questions. Questions that are beyond our own self-hood and wants, questions that open us to what is calling, to how life wants to make meaning through us, to what life wants us to be.
Life transitions are unavoidable, so why not get to know them more intimately? This book is a wonderful companion to navigating the depths of what life asks for us in the midst of transition, with relevant stories, helpful models, and buckets of compassion.