A high-performing CEO-board partnership is a competitive advantage in the nonprofit and corporate sectors—but when misaligned, it can be an organization’s greatest vulnerability. So, what does strong governance and an effective CEO-board relationship look like? 1️ Trust & Transparency are Non-Negotiable CEOs must keep boards informed—not just…
Resilience isn’t about bouncing back—it’s about bouncing forward. When we think about resilience—and that is on the mind of so many of us today—we often picture someone standing strong, weathering the storm, and returning to their original state. But in today’s…
“I thought we were on the same page…” “That’s not what I meant at all…” “Why didn’t anyone tell me?” Sound familiar? In today’s fast-moving world, miscommunication is one of the biggest (and often unnoticed) barriers to effective leadership, collaboration, and decision-making.…
I started my career as a neuroscientist studying neuroplasticity—the brain’s remarkable ability to adapt, form new connections, and respond to change. Years later, I left the lab for leadership roles in biomedical research, regulation, and strategy. Looking back, I realize that neuroplasticity wasn’t just…
At the start of every year, we hear a lot about creating professional development goals and plans that will position you to grow and excel in your career. This is a great self-reflection process, and I suggest including a component…
For many years, my mother and I had a tradition of taking a “girls’ trip” tin early May o celebrate her birthday and Mother’s Day. I cherished those trips—they were always great fun. It was also a time alone where we…
I’m a neuroscientist by training so I often look at aspects of communication and leadership from the perspective of how our brain responds. Recently, I found myself applying this neuro lens to the very difficult conversations so many of us…
I spent the past week reflecting on the unfolding crisis in the US. Yes, we are dealing with a pandemic and serious economic fallout that may take a long while to repair. But we are also confronting something that has…
Today is Mother’s Day and a day unlike any I remember. Many mothers are separated from the children and grandchildren they love right now. After weeks of isolation and social distancing we may reflect on the great challenges of the…
Queen Elizabeth offered words of support and encouragement to her country and the world on Sunday April 5th. In those four minutes, she called attention to the extreme challenge we face, the need for extreme action and a sense that…
We are facing an unprecedented challenge, at least in the lifetime for most of us. We watch a crisis unfold hourly. We witness our vulnerabilities; we come face-to-face with our fears. We see failures of leadership at the highest levels—it’s…
Many organizations focus on the customer experience. Some do it because it’s a trend; some because it’s central to their mission and values. Some are successful and some are not. One key measure of success in getting the customer experience…