It’s not a mystery: the success of any organization exists in the hands of its people, and best laid plans always fall victim to implementation.

Deliberate cultivation of culture is key. Culture is developed, in part, through routine interactions of people within the organization. Every interaction under an organization’s roof contributes to a shared norm. The way we talk to each other today will influence the way we talk to each other tomorrow. Every behavior – and the response it elicits – normalizes future behavior. It is an organic concept, one that requires regular attention.

For all JB Pritzker has done during his time as Illinois' Governor, his most viral and memetically impactful moment might be his recent commencement speech at Northwestern University. Smart and funny, with references to the sitcom The Office, Pritzger relayed a powerful message:

"The best way to spot an idiot, look for the person who is cruel. Let me explain.”

We all know the language of teachers possesses the power to inspire or injure, to heal or humiliate. Language sets the academic and emotional climate of the room. The greater awareness of the relationship between language of the teacher and positive learning outcomes, the greater chance we have of getting the climate just right. So, we have to ask ourselves: “Does my language optimize learning, achievement, relationships and emotional intelligence?” 

"Remember that with diversity comes difference. Students at Northwestern, frankly, students everywhere across the United States, increasingly lack the ability to talk across difference. In that way- they're much like our country, but as I've said before, this ability to engage across difference is core to a university's mission."One cannot have true and authentic engagement by either the faculty or students without a commitment to free speech and to academic freedom."

Personal truths (the truth of one’s experience) can be distinct from an objective truth (which is quantifiable and observable). Managing the gap between these truths is an important skill for any leader – of a business, a team, or a household.

Technology has enabled us to work remotely and remain connected 24/7. That doesn’t mean we should.In cultures of constant availability, an employee’s alert system is always ‘on’. Pings and chimes and little red bubbles in the corner of an app were created to snag one’s attention... in the modern workplace, this exploitation is nearly constant.

Professional Development is essential. But it's not all created equal... Check out 4 keys to effective professional development from 3 members of the SEL Summer Institute.

Forgiveness should be one of the biggest beakers in your lab. Things go wrong. Humans are infinitely complex and (depending on your perspective) flawed. “I’ve made every mistake in every book I’ve ever written” admits Maté. We should all work on patience, humility, and forgiveness.

By Maurice McDavid and James Davis / Why isn’t your company doing effective DEI work? There are clearly hurdles. Some people more receptive than others. And to be fair, consultants approach this work in different ways. We take a thoughtful approach. After countless culture and leadership development engagements, here are the top three misconceptions about DEI that we have encountered.

Concept comes first. What are you hoping to accomplish? Directions to bring that concept to life should follow, accompanied by all the skills the mission might require. Healthy, effective leadership prioritizes concept over script. It is an idea that extends beyond business.

The clustering illusion, sometimes referred to as the gambler’s fallacy, occurs when a cluster of random results is falsely imbued with meaning. It’s a common mistake. Though it is understandable, it can have dire consequences.

To create a strong business atmosphere, prioritize people and culture. Work the team, then the problem. It won’t always be easy, but it will always be worth it.

rarely do people make it through the door without the potential to succeed – development is what separates good from great. It’s a process. The U.M.A. framework makes sure people don’t get stuck. This is especially important in a constantly evolving business landscape with emphasis shifting to new skills (like improvisation). With such a dynamic landscape, more than ever, leaders will take approaches into their workplaces, rather than strict scripts of evaluation. Check out the UMA framework. In this article, we will focus on Understanding, the first and most critical component.