Decision-Making and Trade-Offs

Sometimes when we are having trouble making a decision, we will be advised to go with our gut. While this can be a good way to make a decision, it’s often not enough--especially when we are making decisions that affect other people or are unique to specific situations.If we want to be more intentional with … Continue reading Decision-Making and Trade-Offs

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?

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

UNDERSTANDING POPULISM

Populism - a political approach that strives to appeal to ordinary people who feel that their concerns are disregarded by established elite groups. I don't normally write about politics, but I am very concerned about our recent election. Trump has opened the door to populism and it seems that many in his party are considering … Continue reading UNDERSTANDING POPULISM

Patience

Patience is a skill. It's a handy skill to develop. Patience positions you to see losses as a temporary situation. It positions you to see the big picture and play the long game.

What if Tech Giants Gave Back

Like, really gave back. Not in a trickle down economics kind of way with Jeff Bezos on track to become the world's first trillionaire by 2026. But in direct giving back kind of way, paying back the goverment that funded the tehnologies these companies are built on so that the government can use that return … Continue reading What if Tech Giants Gave Back

An Economic Approach to Pro-Mask Messaging

Why do we need everyone to be on board with mask-wearing? Mask wearing will help us move from a blanket mitigation response to COVID to a much more targeted & focused containment response. Mitigation is, “Stay at home, shut everything down.” Containment is, “Be out and about, shop at your local businesses, get the kids … Continue reading An Economic Approach to Pro-Mask Messaging

Segregated Schools

image from EDBuild.org I grew up in Suffolk County on Long Island in the 1970s and 1980s. For most of my K-12 education I attended a small, well funded, mostly White school district. School district budgets are connected to property taxes which has a racist history of its own. A result of that connection is … Continue reading Segregated Schools