Next Generation Leadership

The 1930s United States, particularly the Jim Crow South, was filled with racism and overt segregation. Stereotypes and hate-filled messages were everywhere, including the major channels used to influence cultural thinking, like Hollywood. The blockbuster movie, Birth of a Nation, outrightly claimed “a good lynching.” Others followed, with messages that shaped the discourse and psyche of...

Well-being is so much more than yoga classes and spa days (though I love both!). It’s become a central theme in organizations, particularly over the past 3 years. I distinctly remember those sleepless nights at the beginning of the pandemic. I designed our Well-Being and Morale course to provide research-based guidance by trained mental health experts and easy-to-incorporate practices, exactly as...

I recently read a book that changed my life. I have about a dozen books that I describe this way, including Pedagogy of the Oppressed, The Autobiography of Malcolm X, Ishmael, and The Artist’s Way, read in that order and re-read many times over the years. The newest addition to the list is The Surrender Experiment: My Journey Into Life’s Perfection, by Michael Singer. Singer is a self-described...

By DeEtta Jones For people keen on maintaining relevance and thriving in the ever-changing world of work, the prioritization of lifelong learning is undeniable. On the other hand, most of us are pretty busy. Our discretionary time is limited, and increasingly we are choosing more balance in our lives. Recognizing these factors, a cohort learning experience might be the right fit for you and your...

Often the most ardent spokespeople for valuing diversity and creating equity in our systems also possess a determination that is rooted in wanting to help “those disenfranchised people”, or “that marginalized group.” The assumption is that “those ____ people” (fill in the blank: Black, Asian, Gay, differently abled, etc.) need “our” help. With all of the best intentions, this perspective—and...

As the nation has devoted more attention to racial and social injustice, that lens has also turned to inequalities and disparities in the workplace. Organizations have reacted, clamoring to increase and improve their diversity efforts. After the flurry of activity, now might be the time you ask yourself, what do I do now?  Keep moving forward!  And we want to help in any way we can. Earlier this...

By DeEtta Jones For months, I’ve been wrestling with my productivity levels. I haven’t felt inspired, haven’t been able to get as much actually done as I need or want to, and I know I have within me. It’s not for lack of ideas swirling around between my ears; if anything, the internal noise has likely been the culprit! Lately, I have been ingesting all the noise of the world in big gulps....

Last week one of our team members was in conversation with a client and the client wished out loud, “We have a sudden influx of requests by our senior managers for executive coaching. We didn’t see this coming and now we are scrambling to find a solution.” We immediately responded, “We offer that and would be honored to help out.” They were surprised and pleased. And we were surprised, too. Why...

By Paula R. Jenkins and DeEtta Jones The trials of the past several years have allowed for learning and growth, yet they have also highlighted places where long-lived bias exists. Though bias is heavily discussed–seemingly everywhere and constantly–a lot of misconceptions continue to exist. A Psychology Today article defines bias as "a tendency, inclination, or prejudice toward or against...

By Melissa Lamson & Jennie Walker