How to Run a Process Critique

A process critique is a short meeting in which you present your work-in-progress with the goal of gathering feedback. It's a tricky thing to navigate because many of us feel more comfortable presenting finished work where we sell every decision we've made with confidence. But a process crit requires us to be vulnerable. And that's … Continue reading How to Run a Process Critique

Who Do You Serve?

"What you do is the promise you make to the people you serve." I think this is a quote from Seth Godin. It's meaningful because so often we focus on the thing we make--a gadget, an app, a class--rather than the people that the thing aims to serve. What we need to be more clear … Continue reading Who Do You Serve?

Our Lives Are Full – Martin Short’s 9 Categories

Our brains are wired to focus on negative thoughts. This is why we wake up in the middle of the night and ruminate on that awkward conversation that happened months ago. It's why we zoom in on that one bad grade or that one negative comment.While this wiring used to serve us when we were … Continue reading Our Lives Are Full – Martin Short’s 9 Categories

Businesses and Complex Adaptive Systems

trillium in an old-growth forest Can businesses be designed like complex adaptive systems? This is the question that Roger L. Martin explores in his new book When More Isn't Better: Overcoming America's Obsession with Economic Efficiency. The book opens much like Mariana Mazzucato's The Value of Everything--it opens with a long critique of our current … Continue reading Businesses and Complex Adaptive Systems

How Might We Bring People Closer to the Social Justice Movement?

I’m a Democrat concerned about the future of the Republican Party.A problem that I observe in my own friend-and-colleague-circles is that Democrats can lump Trump-voters into one group. This causes harm.Why? Because Republicans aren’t monolithic. Many that I know are fiscally conservative, but socially moderate, which makes them have qualities and beliefs that even Dems … Continue reading How Might We Bring People Closer to the Social Justice Movement?

Grounding my Gratitude

I appreciate how counting blessings on a regular basis can help us be more at ease and in turn be more generous, patient, and understanding. This is one of the big goals in life, I think, to free up some of the energy we spend on self doubt or rumination so that we have energy … Continue reading Grounding my Gratitude

The Big Picture

I'm trying really hard to count my blessings as we wind down this terrible year. But that exercise feels a little off when there is so much to be sad and angry about. And while I don't want to linger in the sadness, I want to give it the respect and thoughtfulness that it deserves. … Continue reading The Big Picture

Being Right vs Being Effective

With the polarized political environment we are in, there's a lot of advice out there on how to have effective arguments. An effective argument is one in which both parties remain open and not feel shut down. When we talk to each other in a way that allows us to remain open, then there is … Continue reading Being Right vs Being Effective

QUESTIONS for THANKSGIVING 2020

from a walk in our neighborhood, mid-October Thanksgiving looks different this year but for me it still feels like a good time to reflect on what I am thankful for. Below are some questions and prompts that you can think about on your own or you can discuss them with friends & family. I hope … Continue reading QUESTIONS for THANKSGIVING 2020

Believe + Create + Organize

In order to make a positive impact in the world, you need to work with three concepts: BELIEVE, CREATE & ORGANIZE.BELIEVE means believing in yourself and in your overarching goal. When you feel tired, believe. When you feel doubt, believe. Just choose to believe. Doubt is useful to a point, but after that, it's merely … Continue reading Believe + Create + Organize