Aug 8, 2026 | Communication, Connection, Leadership, Taking action
For more than a decade, I have spent a significant portion of every summer living outside the United States. These temporary relocations prompt me to reassess practices that I had long taken for granted—from workplace norms to social policy, parenting to holiday...
May 6, 2026 | Capacity-building, Leadership, Strategic planning, Taking action
A little over a year ago, I launched this newsletter with an essay describing the need for strategic planning during times of uncertainty. A lot in the world has changed since then, prompting me to revisit my initial advice and add another layer to it. Since that...
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...
