Next Generation Leadership

My First Cup of Coffee

It’s Time to Rewrite the Script When I say I study, teach, and equip leaders to shape culture, many people excitedly make a connection, sharing this famous quote by Peter Drucker, renowned management consultant: “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.”

Culture is the unseen thread that connects us. It shapes how we think, act, and relate to one another. It’s not just the traditions we inherit or the practices we observe—it’s also the shared values, beliefs, and norms that guide our behavior.

I enter 2025 with fresh eyes and gratitude. I, like many, get caught up in the hustle and bustle of a hectic lifestyle. Constantly busy. Always setting higher expectations for myself, then feeling overwhelmed with the climb. Conveying the same to my son, who in turn ingests a way of existence that is out of sync with what is sustainable–emotionally, physically, spiritually.

As part of our Culture Exchange Series, yesterday's session focused on Holding Space to Reflect on Recent U.S. Executive Orders and Their Implications for Work, Lives, and Well-being. Participants from diverse organizations and geographies—across red and blue states—came together, sharing a common theme of feeling overwhelmed by ongoing changes and anxious about compounding uncertainty. Amidst...

In the United States, a presidential inauguration marks the beginning of a new administration. Regardless of political affiliation, this change of power is a reminder of the cycles of leadership transition that we also encounter within our workplaces. These transitions can bring with them a mix of uncertainty, hope, and a need for adaptability.

My mentor Barb walked to work, community and social events. When in need of wheels, she rode her bicycle or asked friends for a ride. She chose not to buy a car because she believed every car not on the road helped the planet. On her backpack was a sticker that read, “Live simply that others may simply live.”

"The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.."

As we step into 2025, we want to take a moment to reflect on the relationships that have shaped our journey. To our clients—trusted partners, inspiring leaders, and champions of growth—thank you for allowing us to be part of your story. Your dedication to building inclusive, thriving workplaces fuels everything we do.

Next week is a big week, a week that is finally ending a long, drawn out, and painful political circus that will determine the next President of the United States. As my Daddy would say, “If I were willing to bet a nickel…” next week is just another chapter in this messy book. Not the end. We are likely moving from one chapter to the next, to what will surely be a bit (or more) of an emotionally...