In 2016 I began writing a play called “The Root River Anthology.” Slowly, so slowly, this anthology took on a life of its own. …

only in my dreams have I been to Oregon: steam and evergreens A haiku for my friend Nick, who now resides in L.A.

poetry like shards of a pot placed back together after shattering at the discretion of the finder words lost/found rearranged a whole new vessel formed from another’s point of view go ahead drop it again I dare you to start anew ____________ for Jerome Inspired by M.C. Richards

There is a Stillness That drops in and guides the Heart It will find True North This haiku is taken from Lesson 7 in Leadership, Distilled. For me, it’s a beautiful reminder that stillness is necessary for growth. Not reeling off in the wrong direction or freezing out of fear, but rather, a conscious, deliberate slowing down so that I can discern all the moving parts and determine the best course of action.

You must Distinguish The Wind from Water–one feeds The Other Divides This haiku is in my latest book, Leadership, Distilled. In Chapter 10, I ask readers to take time to discern and determine the meaning of the haiku. Great leaders think for themselves. They also understand and embrace paradoxes. How do you distinguish wind from water?

When I work with executives in a group setting, I often ask participants to use a weather metaphor to describe how they feel. I love how creative people get with it — Some talk about being in the eye of the storm. Others mention the barometer dropping. Another might say…

. As a thought experiment, consider this — if I had entitled this piece Read This: It’s Important. Would that have had an impact on you? One of the most important things I coach people on these days is fillers…the awareness and removal of extraneous and unnecessary sounds, words, and…

Enough. When I think of getting another tattoo, the word ‘enough’ often comes to mind. When I think about what I struggle with most, it’s the concept of enough. Enough already. I have enough. Enough is enough. I am enough. I do enough. I often coach others, “you are enough.” …

I am seeing so many things about finding your purpose these days. (Hell, even I recently wrote an article about ‘your life is your message.’)Perhaps this inundation of purpose-based talk is because Providence just offered us a year’s worth of isolation and, for many, deep inner reflection. Perhaps it’s because…