Next Generation Leadership

Too many managers wait until something breaks to start growing.

My father’s family is from a little town in Arkansas called Marianna, about 30 minutes from Memphis. It’s so small. The roads are intermittently paved. The church has no signage, no decadence, holds about 30 people. There are no easily identifiable street names. To visit family I know to look for Clifford’s place (that’s my cousin’s house frame that he intends to build a proper juke joint on),...

Whenever there is social unrest—mass protests, political turmoil, threats to civil rights—we tend to draw a clear line between “what’s happening out there” and what happens within the four walls of our organizations. But that line is imaginary. Our employees don’t leave their values, lived experiences, or fears at the door. And in times of crisis, those emotions become stronger and louder than...

Dr. Jerome Offord, Jr, CDO, Harvard Library, Risë Nelson, Director, DEIA, Yale Library & Collections,Yale Library, Dr. Ufuoma Abiola, Executive Head and Associate University Librarian for DEI, Princeton University Library, and DeEtta Jones Whenever I'm asked about the career accomplishment of which I am most proud, I say the same thing without hesitation: the Leadership and Career Development...

Each June, rainbow flags wave across the globe in celebration of Pride Month—a time to honor the resilience, creativity, and contributions of LGBTQIA+ communities. It’s a time to remember history, uplift voices that are too often unheard, and recommit to a future rooted in equity, belonging, and authentic expression.

A few weeks ago, I took a trip to Tulum with a group of close friends.

Let’s debunk one of the biggest myths about management:

Let’s get something straight: being promoted into a management role doesn't make you a leader. It gives you a title. The leadership part? That’s earned—through daily practice, reflection, and the courage to grow.

Last night, my son Shiloh had his “step-up” ceremony at high school. He’s a rising senior now, and this annual tradition marks a powerful transition: celebrating the graduating seniors while inviting the juniors to prepare for their final year.

In this week’s Culture Exchange, we explored the concept of leading with emotional agility, a critical skill for anyone guiding teams through disruption, uncertainty, or transformation. At its core, emotional agility is the ability to be aware of both your own emotions and the emotions of others, and to maintain a sense of control and choice even during times of intense stress. It allows leaders...