Follow Us
Featured Stories
-
Why mission should matter to leaders
17 May 2012 1:55 PM | No CommentsDuring my lifetime as a person with a disability it often seems that we are the “canaries in the coal mines,” buffeted by health care, legislative and public policy changes on the state and national level. Organizations like Courage Center help even out the rough...
Read More -
High Performance “Festivus”
14 May 2012 7:04 AM | No CommentsAbout a month ago, I attended a four-day “High Performance Leadership and Team Intensive” designed and lead by members of the human performance consulting firm, Performance Unlimited. I have attended too many leadership development workshops, seminars and classes to count and I enjoy learning new...
Read More -
Who’s in Your Circle?
08 May 2012 7:14 PM | No CommentsLet’s say you work for a small nonprofit in Minnesota. Let’s also say you focus on environmental and sustainability issues. When you’re looking to expand your network and brush up on skills, sometimes it’s good to be surrounded by other nonprofit folks doing similar work,...
Read More
-
Author Archive
-
Leadership Values for Public Service
Posted on April 14, 2011 | 1 CommentTough economic times prompt tough debates about the role of government and the efficacy of public institutions and employees. Constructive debate is grounded in reason and intent on addressing tough problems. Good discourse sheds light and informs wise action. Too often, though, our public discourse... -
Bully!
Posted on March 9, 2011 | No CommentsAt a recent seminar break, a group of parents clustered around, all with kids in those middle grades, 5-8. Many of those kids are being picked on in school. Because I do a preponderance of the talking during the seminar, I try to listen quietly... -
Asking the right questions about public employees
Posted on February 11, 2011 | 1 CommentAs the realities of public budgets permeate the political consciousness, rhetoric about public employees is heating up. The StarTribune recently juxtaposed essays by Mark Haveman, executive director of the Minnesota Taxpayers Union, and Robert Reich, former U.S. Secretary of Labor. At one level, the authors... -
A Leaky Craft
Posted on December 9, 2010 | No CommentsI’m trying to make sense of the Wikileaks debacle – trying to find something constructive we can learn from all of this. Here’s my best shot, so far. I have found no shortage of opinions expressed on this matter. Most surprising are the views that... -
A little more fear, a little less loathing
Posted on November 4, 2010 | 1 CommentBlack hats and white hats are for melodrama, not for those engaged in government by and for the people. One writer commits to change himself first. -
Learning by doing, together
Posted on September 30, 2010 | No CommentsI am honored to facilitate a community-based group called the Ethical Leadership Working Group that is just now celebrating its third anniversary. We take in some new content each month, often a book or article, but sometimes a film, play, or just a topic that... -
With a Little Help from My Friends
Posted on August 26, 2010 | 1 CommentAsking for help can result in excellent work and stronger relationships. Don't let "excessive individualism" keep you from taking this critical step. -
Gathering ’round the Campfire
Posted on July 22, 2010 | No CommentsLast Monday I became a parody of myself. I took to the woods with my ten-year-old son, accompanying six of his friends, and some of their parents to Scout Camp in Wisconsin. Our kids are Webelos, going into fifth grade. We joined around 100 other... -
One of those days…
Posted on June 16, 2010 | No CommentsA few weeks ago, my friend and fellow blogger Jeff Urban wrote a great piece here, the Little Known Secret to Increasing Productivity. He was inspired by some relevant work by Tony Schwartz. Jeff boiled it down for us: sleep enough, eat healthy food, and... -
Taking the Pledge
Posted on May 5, 2010 | No Comments“I pledge Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands…” To take the Pledge of Allegiance is a remarkable act, which is often (nearly universally) overlooked. The first pledge, composed by Franics Bellamy in 1892,...
