Hi Reader, This week's post shares a core element of leading as a non-anxious presence. Let me know what you think. Thanks for reading. A Non-Anxious Leader Is a Lightning Rod (Not a Drain Trap) Photo: Foto-Ruhrgebiet Read on the Blog It’s good to be a lightning rod.* It’s better than being a drain trap. If you’ve ever looked under your sink, you’ve seen a drain trap (also known as a p-trap). The u-shaped bend in the trap holds enough water to create a seal that prevents sewer gases from...
10 days ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader,Happy New Year! This week's post is a reminder to give yourself a break. I hope you find it helpful. Self Compassion: The Foundation of a Non-Anxious Presence Photo: depositphotos Read on the Blog I often say that self‑regulation is the key to self‑differentiation. When we can regulate our automatic responses in the moment, we’re far more capable of choosing how we want to show up—taking responsibility for ourselves while staying connected to others. But there’s another ingredient...
17 days ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader, This is the last Tuesday in 2025. This week is all about getting a great start in 2026. To help you with this, I'm including a Free digital copy of my book One New Habit, One Big Goal: Change Your Life in 10 Weeks. I hope it helps. Happy New Year! The Problem with Annual Goals: They're Too Long (and Too Short) Photo: Travelling-light Read on the Blog "When you're impatient with results, every day feels expensive. When you're impatient with effort, every day feels like...
24 days ago • 6 min read
Hi Reader, I hope you are able to take some time at the end of the year to reflect and reset. This week's post and recommendations are intended to help you with that. Merry Christmas! The Hidden Cost of Inauthenticity: How Staying True to Yourself Prevents Burnout Photo: mstjahanara Read on the Blog We’ve all done it. We nod along in meetings, laugh at jokes that aren’t funny, or pretend to agree just to keep the peace. It feels harmless—just part of being a team player. But research suggests...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader,The holidays are upon us, and this week's post can help you manage your anxiety at family gatherings. Let me know what you think. Thanks for reading. How to Handle Annoying Family Members During the Holidays Photo: stevanovicigor Read on the Blog The holidays are supposed to be a time of joy and connection, but let’s be honest—family gatherings can also bring stress. We often find ourselves reacting to old patterns with siblings, parents, or extended relatives in ways we’d never...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader, Another week, another Tuesday. This week's post can help you move from reactive or adaptive responses to healthy emotional connection. I hope it helps. From Fight or Flight to Connection: Five Steps to Self‑Regulation Photo: knorre Read on the Blog Self‑regulation is the ability to manage your own anxiety when tensions rise. It’s not about suppressing feelings or pretending everything is fine—it’s about staying grounded enough to respond in a healthy, intentional way. This Harvard...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader,Happy Giving Tuesday! This week's post explains why generosity is good for your well-being. I hope you find it helpful. It IS Better to Give than Receive Photo: RVAS Read on the Blog When I started as a camp director in 2000, I didn’t think I’d be a fundraiser. By the time I left in 2023, much of my job was about raising money. One thing I’ve learned is that asking people for money is actually doing them a favor. Why? Because it IS better to give than receive. Except when it’s not...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader,It's Thanksgiving week for those of you in the U.S. Regardless, gratitude and self-differentiation go together year-around. If nothing else, please read (and follow) the opening quote. You'll be glad you did. Enjoy! Emotional Connection and Gratitude Read on the Blog “And I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, ‘If this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.’” — Kurt Vonnegut My wife and I once attended a wedding reception where we...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader,I realize Thanksgiving isn't until next week, but I thought this week's post and recommendations might help you prepare for any anxious situations you expect to encounter. Blessings! Avoiding a Conflict of Wills Photo: yayimages.com Read on the Blog I was once in a group discussion with a woman who shared a run-in that she had with her brother at Sunday dinner. She said her political views had changed over the previous several years, which left her as an outlier in her family. The...
2 months ago • 2 min read