▼
Monday, February 9, 2026

One Comes In, Then One Goes Out

›
I've adopted a simple, straightforward rule for how to manage the material items in my life. When I acquire something new, something els...
Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Let’s Tackle Systemic Problems Rather Than Focus on the “Gotcha” Mentality of Compliance-Based Systems

›
An organizational culture focused on compliance places a premium on following “the rules.” Those rules may be spelled out in painstaking det...
Thursday, January 15, 2026

You Cannot Talk About Writing That Doesn't Actually Exist

›
I was meeting with a member of my doctoral dissertation committee. We were reviewing a draft of the opening chapter of my dissertation. As t...
Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Building a Personal Archive: Webinar Upcoming April 15, 2026

›
Personal archiving involves capturing and protecting your "living history" to ensure that your experiences remain available for th...
Thursday, December 11, 2025

Received an Email from a Colleague? You Owe Them a Response

›
It's one thing to choose not to respond to an email from someone you don't know. I can understand that inaction at one level, althou...
Thursday, December 4, 2025

Podcast Appearance: Interview about My Professional Journey

›
Check out this podcast interview --just published today! I discuss my career path and what I'm thinking about in terms of what comes nex...
Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Moderating April 13, 2026 Panel: Moving into the Ombuds Role: Strategies for Entering into and Advancing in the Profession

›
My proposal to present at the 2026 International Ombuds Association Annual Conference has been accepted! I will facilitate a panel entitle...
Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Gratitude and Appreciation for Leadership Monterey Program Role

›
I'm so very grateful for the opportunity I've been given the last four years to facilitate Leadership Monterey County . This ten mon...
Tuesday, October 28, 2025

A Plea for a Graceful and Accepting Attitude When Receiving Negative Feedback

›
I've received thousands of evaluations on my teaching from students enrolled in my classes. Most of this feedback has been positive, eve...
Monday, October 6, 2025

We Can Never Thank Our Volunteers Enough

›
Organizations that rely heavily on the contributions of volunteers realize two points. One, volunteers by definition don't have to do an...
Thursday, September 11, 2025

The Absurdity of the Statement "I would love to teach, but I don't want to do all the grading"

›
I've been teaching for 27 years. So, when someone asks me what I do, I necessarily talk about teaching. During the conversation that ens...
Monday, August 18, 2025

On Fighting the Battle When You're the Only Combatant

›
I'm a fighter. That means if there's a cause I believe in, or an argument worth making, I will do so. It also means I get clear abou...
Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Offering Your Advice (When Asked)

›
I don't as a rule offer unsolicited advice. When I'm asked, I do. I strive to be specific and relevant. I want my words to truly hel...
Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Leaving a Room Exactly How You Want to Find It When You Return

›
I make it a habit to leave a room exactly how I want to find it when I return. That means everything is in its proper place. These places la...
Tuesday, July 15, 2025

How to Break Into a New Professional Community

›
Let’s say you’ve landed a job in a field different than the one you previously worked in. Or you decided to launch an entirely new career or...