The Handoff

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The Handoff

This poem was shared on the One Spirit Learning Alliance website yesterday. So, while it appears in The Art and Spirit of Leadership, it also appeared in my inbox. I realize that almost all of my work these days is a relay race, marked by baton passing. And in this handing off of the baton--something greater than the original has the opportunity to blossom. Others can often see the power/value/use in something we've created--a value we ourselves might overlook.

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Lunch with Alice

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Lunch with Alice

Years back I wrote a poem prompted by something the Dean of our Public Policy school said to me in passing.

Poems have a habit of showing up that way, popping up out of a conversation in the hallway.


But this one was unusual--it had a specific name in the title--"Lunch with Alice."  And I thought of it as a love story, and also a story of wisdom about how we choose to spend our moments.

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The Psychology of Optimism

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The Psychology of Optimism

I've been thinking a lot about the work of Carol Dweck about two contrasting mindsets-- the first is the growth mindset where we think that intelligence and other ability is malleable.  And if we keep working at it we will do better. 

The second is what she calls a fixed mindset--where we think talents and intelligence are pretty much a given. Fixed.  And when I hit a setback it means I'm not as smart as they tell me. 

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Heart Song

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Dear Friends,

I’ve been thinking about these words:

“Listen to yourself; Know what makes your heart sing.”

That’s a chapter title in my book, The Art and Spirit of Leadership.  And since almost always when I write something, I have learned that I am supposed to pay attention to it myself, I’ve been thinking about it.

I must admit that I don’t know where that title came from.  One day it just popped into my mind.  And it kept returning.  As is my practice as a poet, I took note of it.  I listened.  And I continue to ask myself what it has to teach me.  What it asks of me.   What does make my heart sing?  And what does that song ask of me?

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