Finished reading: On Becoming Exceptional by Mary Jean Ryan 📚
Posts in: leadership
Finished reading: Counting the Cost by Clemens Sedmak 📚
This book is a terrific exploration of what it means to integrate values into the work of organizational budgeting.
10/10 - required reading for mission leaders, faith-based organization executives, and finance leaders everywhere.
Safe and Sane 4th of July
I cannot believe that the NYT published this opinion piece on the birthday of the United States. Why I Don’t Vote In this flippant article, Matthew Walther writes off the concept of civic duty as relativism and argues that not voting is okay because abstaining is just as expressive as casting a ballot. WHAT? All this just days after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a former president’s quest for immunity!
Pope Francis Appoints Father James Mark Beckman Next Bishop of Knoxville
“I am blessed and honored to accept this appointment from the Holy Father,” Bishop-elect Beckman said. “I am a native Tennessean, and I am grateful that I can continue serving the Church and now the faithful of the Diocese of Knoxville in this region that I know well and love tremendously.”
This is the best church news I’ve heard in a long time!
Fr. Mark taught me in high school. He was an important influence on how I’ve grown as a human, a leader, and a Catholic Christian.
You don’t see many new bishop pictures featuring a fleece jacket. Consider it evidence of Beckman’s sheepy aroma. 😆
May God continue to bless Bishop-Elect Beckman & the people of Knoxville.
Finished reading: Managing Transitions (25th anniversary edition) by William Bridges 📚
Transition is like a low-pressure area on the organizational weather map. It attracts all the storms and conflicts in the area, past as well as present.
Confession: It was really hard to read this book without dwelling on the bad transitions I’ve experienced in the past. I hope I can contribute some positive value to the future transitions in which I will play a part.
Finished reading: The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz 📚
A quick read & nice reminder of a few universal truths:
- We are formed by our first family
- Love yourself so that you may love others
- The words we use have power
Don’t take anything personally.
You are never responsible for the actions of others…
Joe Biden & Conan O’Brien on Empathy
This clip from Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend is terrific. The vulnerability this world leader (Biden, not O’Brien - ha!) exudes is exactly what we need from our leaders – especially elected officials.
Trump’s Dire Words Raise New Fears About His Authoritarian Bent
Trump is off the rails. His dehumanizing language is gross, immoral, and wicked.
If the Republican Party nominates him as their presidential candidate, they will squander their credibility & put our democracy in danger.
The biggest immediate lesson from the OpenAI meltdown
The fact that the governance of one of the most visible AI companies in the world can change literally overnight should be a reminder that we can’t make our judgements about a company’s trustworthiness based simply on a vibe about their CEO.
This is certainly true. And this is a lesson that should transfer to other large/influential organizations.
Hierarchicalism and Accountability
When I read something really good, it makes me want to write.