Walking on The floor of mistakes
In an age where leaders burn books and bury truths, we’re tempted to hide our own histories too. Yet denying mistakes (personal or collective) only deepens the shadow. This piece explores how mistakes, faced and learned from, become the very ground of wisdom, courage, and growth.
Legacy and the Insightful Path:
An old fishing tackle box transformed into a cherished craftsman’s chest, holding more than just tools… it holds stories, intention, and legacy. Through repurposing and care, this simple box becomes a bridge across generations, reminding us that purpose lives in the quiet rituals we pass on. Discover how craftsmanship and mindful living shape not only objects but the people and communities we become.
Why strong facilitation communities matter:
Facilitation is more than guiding meetings… it’s about building vibrant communities that connect, inspire, and create lasting impact. Join me as I explore why strong facilitation networks matter, how global and local communities nurture this vital profession, and why the upcoming IAF Conference is a can’t-miss opportunity for facilitators ready to grow and connect.
Resistance to change…
Why do people cling to harmful beliefs, even when the facts are clear? It’s not ignorance. It’s emotional survival. Here’s how we can help them (and ourselves) see.
Wrestling with Daedalus
While carving a fallen tree trunk, I found myself face-to-face with Daedalus: the myth, the man, the father.
In wood and memory, I explored the tension between giving our children wings and knowing we can’t control their flight. This is a story of legacy, love, and the quiet anguish of letting go.
Finding stillness in the storm
Amidst the pace and pressure of public service leadership, I’ve found mindfulness to be less a retreat from the work—and more a way to meet it well. This reflection explores how the quiet tools I first learned on mindfulness teacher training retreat have become a steady thread through the leadership programs I design and facilitate.
Working with purpose
A simple piece of firewood led me to a deeper question about purpose. In craft, as in life, the invitation is always the same: how can I be of use?
Insights found in Echoes from the Edge
In my work in leadership development, I explore a wide range of topics—each a thread that can weave into a stronger, more connected life and workplace. Resources like Echoes from the Edge offer thoughtful provocations—ideas that stretch us, ground us, and guide us toward growth.
The beauty of what remains
Luck, I believe, does not come like ‘Grace’ - unbidden and without effort on your part, it comes through your ability to get out of your own way. It requires patience and it requires some willingness to accept, even those difficulties that arise in your path.
When we engage with difficulty, we also engage more deeply with our own resourcefulness. We start to see potential where others see waste.
The work of renewal
There's something powerful about seeing not what a thing is, but what it could become. It’s what artists do—and it’s what we do when we lead. When we coach. When we grow. We look beyond the surface. We sense the potential. We bring shape to the unseen.
Authenticity, Influence, and the Art of Connection
I write to influence, but true influence comes from authenticity. As a transformative coach, I help leaders uncover insights that let them stay true to themselves while navigating complexity and change. If you’re on the path to deeper self-awareness and want to explore how coaching can help you find your authentic voice, reach out. Let’s talk.
Part 1: Seeing through the surface
Our experience of stress is shaped less by the challenges we face and more by how we respond to them. The more aware we become of our automatic reactions, the more we can interrupt them, creating space for better, calmer choices. This clarity is the foundation for making more effective decisions.
Part 2: The grip of Attachment
Attachment keeps us from connecting with what’s real in the moment. Instead of sensing and accepting things as they are, we’re constantly searching for something better, something more. The practice of observing attachment allows you to create space between stimulus and response.
Part 3: The trap of Resentment
How often do we see the full humanity of those around us—or even ourselves? In the rush of life, anger and assumptions cloud our perception, pulling us away from the present moment. By asking “Who else is this person?” we open the door to surprising insights, deeper connection, and a clearer path forward.
Part 4: The weight of Avoidance
In the rush to "choose our battles," we risk detaching not just from conflict but from connection itself. Detachment may feel safe, but it anesthetizes the heart, clouding our ability to see and respond clearly. True clarity and collaboration emerge when we let go of detachment and lean into connection.
Part 5: The storm of Restlessness
Restlessness scatters our attention, pulling us away from the present moment. Yet focus isn’t about never losing attention—it’s about learning to return. By calming the storm of agitation, we uncover the clarity and presence needed to navigate life’s demands with wisdom and grace.
Part 6: The cloud of Doubt
Doubt clouds the mind like suspended mud in water, whispering the story of “not enough.” But doubt isn’t a roadblock—it’s a guidepost. By naming it and embracing the wisdom of not knowing, we can move beyond limiting beliefs and find clarity and confidence on the Insightful Path.
Art lives in all of us
In this post, I reflect on a powerful experience I had while on an approximate 5,500-kilometer solo walk across America, searching for purpose. One of the standout moments came in Sully, Iowa, where I encountered a 60-foot-tall sculpture made from over 200 welded wagon wheels, created by 90-year-old Leonard J. Maasdam. His untrained, intuitive approach to art inspired me to think about the nature of creativity—how it can live in all of us, regardless of formal training. This post explores how art, like Maasdam’s wheel tower, is not confined to galleries or schools; it’s something universal that can be experienced and created by anyone.
Dressing with a purpose
There’s a quiet, often overlooked truth about how we show up in the world: what we wear profoundly impacts the way we approach the tasks, challenges, and relationships that shape our professional lives. For many of us, the office, even if that office is at home, is more than just a physical space; it’s where we cultivate ideas, solutions, and contributions that reflect our values and sense of purpose. But before any of that can happen, we first need to prepare ourselves. And one of the most important ways to do that is by carefully considering what we wear.
Shifting from numbers to meaning
For the longest time, I viewed networking through the lens of numbers. I was told as a beginning entrepreneur, that it was a ‘numbers game’. It was all about accumulating connections—more people, more possibilities. I was told that the larger my network, the more impact I could have. It was a game of growth, one I thought was measured in metrics: followers, connections, messages sent, and posts posted. The problem with this approach, however, is that it subtly drove my communication style in a direction I hadn’t fully realized. It became transactional, impersonal, and it just felt less valuable.