by Larry Dressler | Feb 26, 2021 | In My Tool Bag
In the world of gymnastics, the dismount is the last thing a judge sees before determining an athlete’s score. When an athlete concludes their routine with perfection commentators often say that they “stuck the landing!” Too often, leaders bring people together to...
by Larry Dressler | Feb 18, 2021 | On My Mind
Years of research show that top-down declarations and being “talked at” demotivates people, discourages the expression of diverse perspectives, and stalls organizational learning and change efforts. This leaves me puzzled when, at least a few times a week, I receive...
by Larry Dressler | Feb 3, 2021 | On My Mind
Recently a client asked me, “what are the three things that matter most when it comes to creating a high-performance team?” Coming up with just three things was a formidable challenge. I can name ten. But three… After giving her question some thought, here’s what I...
by Larry Dressler | Jan 27, 2021 | From My Bookshelf
Everyday, I speak with leaders who are surrounded by people and yet admit that they feel lonely. Loneliness is defined in Vivek Murthy’s book Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World as “the subjective feeling that you are lacking...
by Larry Dressler | Jan 14, 2021 | In My Tool Bag
I am not a big fan of new year resolutions. Yes, I am a very goal-driven person, but the idea of adding more commitments to an already full list of promises I’ve made to myself and others stresses me out. If you follow my blog you know that I am a fan of a book by...
by Larry Dressler | Dec 2, 2020 | On My Mind
If you have read part 1 and part 2 of this blog about coming back together, you have probably asked yourself the questions: What does coming together actually look like in the face of charged political differences? How do we build empathy and understanding across...
by Larry Dressler | Nov 23, 2020 | On My Mind
After describing the dynamics of polarization in a previous blog, this second installment will highlight Parker Palmer’s essay entitled, “Five Habits to Heal the Heart of Democracy.” It contains important insights on how we come back together in our families, work...
by Larry Dressler | Nov 11, 2020 | On My Mind
Nearly everywhere I look I see communities, families, and friends mired in division, derision, and despair. Increasingly, we talk about those who are working toward different outcomes not as our opponents but as our enemies. And when it comes to enemies, we feel...
by Larry Dressler | Oct 28, 2020 | In My Ear Buds
A while back I wrote a review of a wonderful book entitled Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown. The book is about consciously choosing where to invest one’s time and energy in order to feel fulfilled and make a true contribution. My summary...
by Larry Dressler | Oct 21, 2020 | In My Ear Buds
Words matter. Ideas can inspire. And, the ability of a leader to recognize what needs to be said — and how to say it — in a critical moment is a unique gift. Hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jon Meacham, It Was Said takes us into various inflection points in...
