Apr 10, 2026 | Leadership, Meetings, Taking action
If you lead an organization, manage large initiatives, or facilitate collaborative projects, then you are probably familiar with good practices for effective meetings: identify your purpose, take time to prepare, create an agenda, and follow up with participants. ...
Mar 5, 2026 | Capacity-building, Leadership, Strategic planning, Taking action
I’m not afraid of bureaucracy. As a music historian, I spent years studying the network of East German state, party, and professional organizations that influenced the country’s musical development during the Cold War. The East German musical bureaucracy was, in...
Feb 18, 2026 | Communication, Leadership, Writing & Editing
Which of the following statements best describes your situation? A. You are expected to produce grants, reports, strategic plans, policy briefs, or other lengthy texts B. You spend much of the day in meetings and attending to time-sensitive tasks C. You rarely have...
Jan 8, 2026 | Capacity-building, Leadership, Strategic planning, Taking action
There’s something undeniably exciting about the start of a new year and the brimming possibilities of a (nearly) blank planner. Yet for many organizational leaders, January’s energy and ambition can eventually lead to paralysis. This is the paradox of overwhelming...
Dec 16, 2025 | Capacity-building, Leadership, Taking action
For many of us, December is a month of abundance—even excess. It’s a period of rich food, crowded social calendars, and endless reminders to buy more things. And that’s just in our personal lives. For many of you reading this newsletter, December is the busiest month...
Dec 4, 2025 | Capacity-building, Communication, Connection, Leadership
I’ve found that the final weeks of the year have a relentless quality. Depending on your sector, you could be facing some combination of project deadlines, fundraising campaigns, required annual reporting, final exams, or holiday performances. Social...
