A few months into college, I stopped automatically evacuating when the fire alarm went off in the middle of the night. If you've ever lived in a dorm, you probably know the drill. The alarm blares. Everyone stumbles out of bed. People throw coats over pajamas and shuffle outside into the cold, grumbling as they wait for permission to return. At first, I followed the rules every time. But after enough false alarms - usually burnt popcorn, an overheated microwave, or someone ma

Like a lot of people, I’ve been watching the NBA Finals. But I haven’t just been watching basketball. I’ve been watching the nervous systems of the teams. Photo by Patrick McDermott on Getty Images As someone who spends my days helping leaders navigate difficult conversations, organizational change, conflict, and high-pressure situations, I see something in sports that often gets overlooked. At the highest levels of competition, talent is rarely the differentiator. Everyone i

One quiet June morning I was riding bikes with my family. I listened to the birds chirping their songs, and enjoyed the warmth of the sun on my arms. As I was coasting downhill, I felt so free - I revelled in the moment enveloped by a full-body grin. Within seconds, everything changed. While I took a turn, my tires slipped out from under me and the world went sideways. Splat. My right leg and arm collided with the road. I had a heavy feeling in my chest and a buzzing sensati

The other day, on the walk from my daughter’s school to the car, we overheard a teenager listing her instruments: “I know how to play piano. I know how to play clarinet…” My daughter, who’s been studying piano for 5 years, looked up and asked, “What does it mean to know how to play the piano?” Such a simple question. Such a revealing one. We say “I know” as if there’s a finish line. But most meaningful skills don’t work that way. Knowledge expands. Context shifts. Our craft