A Field Guide to the Unruly Art of Leadership

I have spent my career protecting spaces. Not because someone assigned me the role. Not because it was convenient or rewarded. But because I could see what was needed—and once you see, you can’t look away.

I have protected structures built to outlast me. I have protected conditions I knew I would never personally benefit from. I have protected spaces where I was not fully welcome—and never would ...

The Leadership Dilemma: High Performers Who Can’t Hear It

Let’s talk about high performers—you know, the ones who show up early, stay late, and manage to nail every deadline. The ones who are outperforming the team, doing it with style, and setting an unspoken gold standard for what excellence looks like. We love them, right? We also know that sometimes, the higher the pedestal, the harder the fa...

 Some people have always known they were different—restless, questioning, wired for exploration. They never fit neatly into the leadership boxes offered to them.

Others learned to hide it. They adapted, put on the trappings of traditional leadership, followed the rules, played it safe. They did what was expected. And yet—something felt off.

If you’ve ever felt like there’s a different way to lea...

What do forests and organizations have in common? Both live or die by their networks.

Beneath the surface of every thriving forest lies its secret to survival: the mycelium. This vast underground fungal network doesn’t just connect roots—it redistributes nutrients, fortifies resilience, and sustains life itself. It’s not optional; it’s essential.

Now, imagine that soil is dead—compacted, strippe...

Picture this: a team retreat in the great outdoors. There’s a roaring campfire, a trust fall lined up, and someone’s brought cupcakes—because who doesn’t love cupcakes? But there’s also a dog.

Not a friendly, waggy-tailed dog. This one’s growling, pacing, and snapping at anyone who gets too close. It bit someone earlier. It bit someone last year too.

You can pass out cupcakes, start the active l...