Why the great disappointment with President Obama and his administration’s accomplishments? There are many explanations—he’s been too timid, too bold, unfocused, focused on the wrong things, too conciliatory, too left, too right, on and on. What’s missing from the critique … Read More
Organizational change
Reflection: A Must for Individual and Organizational Success
Not long ago, a colleague described her four-year-old Blackberry as “ancient”. In organizations, campaigns and projects come one after another and often overlap. There are changes in structure, technology, policies, and personnel, plus new demands from the environment. Leaders and … Read More
Segregation on a Bus
At an airport, on the way to a conference, I ran into a friend and her companion. My friend offered me a ride in her rental car. We three black women boarded the shuttle bus, put away our luggage and … Read More
Book Review: Why David Sometimes Wins
Thanks to Marshall Ganz for writing Why David Sometimes Wins: Leadership, Organization, and Strategy in the California Farm Worker Movement (2009, Oxford University Press). He documents the emergence and success of the Farm Worker Movement in the 20th century. This … Read More
Building Board Leadership in Community Organizations
It’s time to approve the plan and budget of a community based organization and the staff is frustrated that the board is micromanaging and not focused on strategy. The board is frustrated that the staff is trying to get approval … Read More