We argued over green beans. Squabbling in that supermarket aisle, holding the Del Monte can in one hand and the black and white labeled generic brand in the other, I struggled to not raise my voice at Penny. 40 years ago, my foodie sensibilities would not allow me to buy just plain old green beans,...Read More

No need to belabor this point…a whole lot of us are struggling with our thoughts and emotions. Raising my hand along with you. Our mental, emotional and spiritual well-being is in a tough spot. It might be depression. It might be anxiety. It might be spiritual deconstruction. It might be anger. It might be stress....Read More

Warning. I’m coming in hot. We are living in the midst of a relationship catastrophe! I’ll get to the data in a minute, but first some anecdotal evidence of the breadth and depth of our current relationship crisis. A few weeks ago, an acquaintance who, at one point, was surrounded with a ton of people...Read More

It’s that time of year again – time for a well-being check-up. Summer is winding down and a new season lies ahead. It is the right time to think deeply about you. I feel pretty strongly that, on a regular basis, each of us should pause and take stock of the state of our lives....Read More

Happiness + Contentment + Self-worth = Well-being For the past few weeks, in these posts I have been exploring the looming self-worth crisis that is, I believe, behind much of our historic levels of anxiety and depression. Could a self-esteem catastrophe be fueling our societal edginess as well? Is this why the great resignation is...Read More

“Thou canst not think worse of me than I do of myself.” Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy Lately I’ve been wondering whether a self-worth crisis is lurking behind much of our societal edginess and personal sadness. Could a self-esteem catastrophe be fueling our historic levels of anxiety and depression? Is this why the great...Read More

I’ve learned to slam on the brake Before I even turn the key Before I make the mistake Before I lead with the worst of me Give them no reason to stare No slippin’ up if you slip away So I got nothing to share No, I got nothing to say On the outside, always...Read More

Last week I suggested that the people we lead or love might be performing poorly or unable to focus because there’s something going on behind their eyes you just can’t see. They are worried, constantly rehearsing their pain and fears. This requires empathy, patience and listening. How are you doing with that? I really wish...Read More

A few days ago, I had a terribly unnerving experience. While on a Target run, I noticed a young man with a camera walking around the store videotaping people. It was odd and discomforting. As I turned the corner at the end of an aisle, I was confronted by another young man who said, “I...Read More

I once worked for a leader who had zero empathy. For instance, he regularly brought his dog to work. I told him I was allergic to some animals and might struggle if I had to enter his office. His solution?  “Well, you don’t need to come into my office.” Another time, in one of my...Read More