“Insignificant” moments of non-consent & the end of civility. — If you had asked me a few years ago if sexual consent was ever an issue for me I would have said “No, I’ve always been able to call the shots.” Well, not quite. I knew I had never had “sex” when I didn’t want to, but after a recent…

The answer to the desperate question on Jan. 6th was “No” — This essay is one in a series about the importance of plans and procedures and the role they play in leadership and decision-making. The Crisis of All Crises Had No Plan or Procedure The worst crisis we could imagine in the United States happened and there was no procedure in place for how to handle it. …

The best decisions are made after hearing a range of viewpoints. — More than a few leaders likely cringe at the thought of “rebels with dissenting opinions” in their organization. CEOs, executive directors, and managers are responsible for keeping their company, nonprofit, or department on track and productive. That’s often understood as a need to “control” the people within their purview. …

Some CEOs need to learn the skills of an effective grown-up. — CEO Andi Owen of furniture maker MillerKnoll recently responded to questions from her employees on a Zoom call. Her message went over like a lead balloon with her employees and with the public who saw a video of the call. …

Impossible decisions were made at Memorial Medical Center — When the hurricane known as Katrina, first hit Memorial Medical Center in New Orleans, the hospital’s Incident Commander was told by the facilities manager that even though the hospital had survived hurricanes in the past, the biggest risk this time was flooding. …

Your organization even if small, needs a comprehensive manual. — This essay is one in a series about the importance of plans and procedures and the role they play in leadership and decision-making. Every Organization Needs Written Procedures and Crisis Plans Having a plan in place for various scenarios and specific processes and procedures is important for organizations of any size. For solo entrepreneurs, private practice professionals, small…

Why do so few local governments have comprehensive plans? — This essay is one in a series about the importance of plans and procedures and the role they play in leadership and decision-making. Does a small city need a comprehensive school crisis plan? My little city with a forward-thinking mayor has been implementing quite a few new initiatives since she…

Good leaders have the skills to improvise and meet a challenge. — This essay is one in a series about the importance of plans and procedures and the role they play in leadership and decision-making. Great leaders have a plan for every imaginable scenario or crisis. A competent candidate interviewing for a management position will ask for a copy of the organization’s…

There is much to know about the complex issue of abortion. — On June 28, 2022, Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) published this statement on abortion: Seeking Divine Guidance and Holding Compassion on Abortion | Friends Committee On National… Our Quaker faith begins with the belief that the living Spirit of God abides within every person and that each of us…www.fcnl.org It states that “Quakers have not found unity on the issue of abortion.”