When I started the “Likeable Badass” series back in September, I didn’t expect it to follow me around as much as it has. Every month, one of Allison Fragale’s ideas has found its way into a meeting, a conversation, or a moment where I’m trying to decide how to show up as a leader. This […]
I have been spending time with Allison Fragale’s work from her book, “Likeable Badass,” which explores how competence, warmth, and relational influence manifest in leadership. Her insights about status and power have been resonating with me lately because they appear in almost every workplace situation I have ever been a part of. Once you start
Status or Power: Which One Are You Using Today? Read More »
I have been loving Allison Fragale’s Likable Badass framework, and this week’s theme, building allies and advocates, is one that shows up constantly in real workplace dynamics. If there is one thing I have learned working inside government agencies, universities, and national associations, it is this: you can be smart and strategic and deeply committed
Build Allies and Advocates Read More »
Have you ever waited just a little too long to ask for something important, a resource, a meeting, a raise, or even feedback, because you didn’t want to seem pushy? In her book Likeable Badass, Allison Fragale reminds us that asking isn’t about taking; it’s about inviting collaboration. Whether it’s asking for help, information, or
Make the First Ask Read More »
In my last post, I shared how the Japanese concept of ikigai, your reason for being, often reveals itself in the small, everyday moments of work. I ended by promising to explore one of those moments more closely: flow. Flow is that state when you’re so immersed in what you’re doing that you lose track
Flow at Work: Noticing the Moments That Pull You In Read More »
Reflections on meaning, purpose, and why we keep showing up Over the weekend I read Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles (thanks to Donna Buehler for the recommendation!), and I’ve been thinking about it ever since. The book explores the Japanese concept of ikigai (your
Where’s Your Ikigai Whispering? Read More »
Three weeks ago, I had shoulder surgery to repair my rotator cuff. The procedure involved repairing a torn tendon, cleaning up frayed bicep tendons, and removing bone spurs. These injuries developed gradually over time. I’m on the mend, but I’m in a sling for six weeks and I’ve been struck by just how much behind-the-scenes
Lessons from a Sling: Conflict and Healing Read More »
In my last two posts, I wrote about the unexpected power of showing up, whether by attending a professional event or volunteering within a broader community. But showing up isn’t limited to external networks or association roles. Sometimes the most impactful opportunities to grow and lead start right where we work. That was certainly true
When Volunteering at Work Isn’t “Extra,” It’s a Career Move Read More »
In my last post, I shared how volunteering in professional associations has shaped my career in unexpected ways. This week, I want to reflect on a quieter but equally meaningful lesson about the value of simply showing up. Last week, I attended the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution’s Arbitration Institute in Denver. I’m not an
Why I Showed Up: Leadership, Presence, and Supporting Our Dispute Resolution Community Read More »
It started with a committee. A small project. A “sure, I’ll help with that.” Looking back, I can see how those small yeses became something much bigger. They shaped not only my career, but also my confidence, skills, and sense of purpose. One of my earliest volunteer roles was with the ABA Law Student Division
More Than a Job: How Volunteering in Professional Associations Can Transform Your Career Read More »