Last week, my husband, brother, and I hiked a 13,277 ft. mountain in Colorado called Mt. Lady Washington. It was one of the most difficult hikes I’ve ever done. Beyond the treacherous terrain, I was already in a vulnerable place after a tough week. As we approached the summit, the sky turned, and it started hailing. The ice felt like tiny needles hitting our skin! My hands went numb, panic crept in, and I was afraid we wouldn’t be able to get down safely with the rocks so slick. These are the...

If you had to guess...who in your organization has the clearest view of your culture? You might instinctively think of senior leadership or middle managers. But take a step back and consider: who’s actually witnessing how things really function, day to day? Culture isn’t just what’s written on your website or printed in a mission statement. It’s the patterns, the stories, the unspoken norms that shape how people show up and work together. And there’s one group that often spots the gaps and...

“This is a waste of my time, I’m not talking to a f*c#!%g shrink.” This was recently shouted at me during a 1:1 workplace culture consultation session. I was as shocked as you are. Just to clarify, I am not a therapist. But that outburst told me everything I needed to know about what this person was carrying. And because I’m clear on the role I play with clients I didn’t respond sharply, I didn't personalize it, and I didn't add fuel the fire. Instead, I stayed grounded and responded...