When the Work Speaks Louder Than the Words
A mentor once said to me, “We have to commit more to the work than the words.” That phrase stuck with me. In equity and leadership conversations, we often get…
Insights.
Small talk isn’t small at all.
In the latest episode of Unpacked Culture Chronicles, I had the joy of sitting down with my longtime colleague and friend, Mariam “Mo” Abdullah, a professional energizer of people, teams,…
The Courage to Unchoose
There comes a point in many of our lives when the path we’ve worked so hard to stay committed to begins to feel a little too tight. Maybe nothing is…
Leadership of Baltimore County
Photo credit Karlitha L. Umoja Last week, I joined the Baltimore County Public Library for a powerful Digital Divide Simulation, led by Kansas City Digital Divide. I walked away with…
Grief in the Aisles: Culture, Curiosity, and What We Don’t Say at Work
IKEA wasn’t where I expected grief to hit me. But there I was, walking past sleek displays and tiny model kitchens when a wave of tears came out of nowhere.…
When We Can’t Even Get to the Table
When We Can’t Even Get to the Table Recently, I was in conversation about a question that feels like it’s defining this moment in time. How do we find a…
What does inclusive leadership look like in practice, not just in theory?
We throw around terms like “inclusive leadership” a lot. But too often, it’s treated like a checkbox, something you say you are, rather than something you do daily. I coach…
How can I foster a culture of accountability without making people feel like they’re being policed?
Let’s be honest: Accountability has gotten a bad reputation in some circles. Too often, it’s mistaken for micromanagement, or worse, punishment. And really… who hasn’t found themselves either giving or…
Where Are You From? Unpacking the Real Question
We’ve all heard it. Maybe we’ve even asked it. “Where are you from?” Sometimes it’s asked with pure curiosity. Other times, it lands with weight. The real question often hiding…
When the Plan Doesn’t Go as Planned: Lessons in Curiosity, Leadership, and Showing Up Anyway
What we plan for isn’t always what unfolds, and sometimes, the unexpected has more to teach us than the plan ever could. I recently had to face that truth. And…