First, quiet the dragons
January 16, 2023
Sometimes, all of this suffering gets to me, yet I am powerless to alleviate it. It’s too much. Too big. Too far away. Still, to do nothing isn’t an option....
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What does joy mean to you?
June 27, 2020
In my last Viewsletter, I referred to the Book of Joy, published in 2016, which condenses a week’s worth of discussions between Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama into a compendium of wisdom. In today’s complicated world, I believe it’s worth looking at joy,...
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A time for JOY
March 31, 2020
The two men reflect on their personal experiences and outline what they call the eight pillars of joy. In re-reading the book, I was struck by how relevant these pillars are today as we navigate a new way of being in the world....
Read MoreThe death of integrity
January 20, 2019
I recently came across a witty line that was part of a political message: Stop truth decay! The thought has stuck with me. It is memorable and meaningful. It is common knowledge that politics is a business that, for the most part, lacks integrity. Politicians will...
Read MoreWhy can’t we all just get along?
July 9, 2018
Diversity and pluralism have informed America’s identity for generations. In these two principles, we celebrate the fullness of our humanity: the similarities as well as the differences that make us the individuals we are. Yet today we are short-changing that humanity by confusing social labels...
Read MoreWhat two weeks in Japan taught me about walls
October 23, 2017
My wife and I just returned from a two-week vacation in Japan. The trip took us from Tokyo through the Japanese countryside, where we stayed in Ryokans: the small, country inns that capture the traditional essence of rural Japan. A few days later, we wound up in Kyoto...
Read MoreFor the sake of humanity, join the Ubuntu party!
April 3, 2017
in Leadership
Politics has gotten in the way of our humanity and it's time to change that. To borrow a phrase from the 1976 movie, Network, I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore! So, here’s my proposal: Let's launch a new party -- a decidedly...
Read More“I wish I had loved you more.”
September 28, 2016
With all that is going on in the world, it can be hard to stay sane, remain hopeful, and indeed, remember our shared sense of humanity. My advice? Let's all take a break from the craziness and focus on what really matters: the people in...
Read MoreThe Problem with Human Resources
August 11, 2008
in Careers, Leadership
I just read a piece in The New York Times Sunday business section called “The Pull of Heavy industry.” It features Alex Kummant, the CEO of Amtrak. When asked about what keeps him up at night (besides his 4 month old), he said, “human resources issues.”
Down with Individuals (Not!)
April 20, 2007
A recent, front page article in The New York Times about French
identity reported that the French Conservative candidate for president,
Nicolas Sarkozy, wants to establish a new arm of the government – a
ministry of “immigration and national identity.” At the same time,
