Finding the way back to ourselves and each other. #AtlasoftheHeart @hbomax
This photo radiates love! One way to show our respect and admiration for Ketanji Brown Jackson’s intellect and courage is to make sure that, moving forward, no one else has to sit across from elected officials demonstrating the level of disrespect, racism, and conspiratorial nonsense that we’ve seen in the last 24 hours. Clearly they knew they couldn’t match up intellectually or judicially. Photo 📸 by @sbmaneyphoto @nytimes
Been working on something special. Coming March 31.
#atlasoftheheart @hbomax
Yesterday’s “Dare to Lead” with cognitive scientist @drmayashankar is a beautiful and powerful episode about mastery, love, and courage—specifically in the face of change.
Maya and I really dig in on what happens in those moments when we are going along on our paths, totally sure-footed—so sure-footed that we’ve built our identities around what we’re accomplishing—and life happens. And not only does it knock us down, but it throws us off our path entirely.
How do we get back up? How do we figure out who we are without the path? And how do we start building a new way to walk through the world?
It’s a truly meaningful conversation. And I’m so grateful to Maya—whose own life has encompassed many twists and turns, from studying violin under Itzhak Perlman, to founding and leading a behavioral sciences team at the White House.
It’s here. 5 episodes. 30 emotions. 1 kick-ass audience. And lots of laughter and learning.
Huge thanks to @hbomax, @denofthievestv (our producers), and our team.
Can’t wait to hear what you think!
BB
#AtlasoftheHeart
Oh, the power in knowing that pain and sorrow are also part of the path. @susancainauthor’s book “Bittersweet” is so healing. Especially now.
Join us for Part 2 of this “Unlocking Us” conversation.
When Dr. @amishipjha and I finished recording this podcast and she signed off, my sister Barrett and I just sat in the studio staring at each other. After about 90 seconds, we both said, “Oh, shit.”
In this episode, we learn all about focus, attention, and the myth of multitasking. I also got to ask some weird questions for a friend. 😉 Questions like: Why do I need to turn down the radio in the car to see better? And why do “Law & Order” reruns help me code data and write?
Point your focus flashlight on this episode of “Dare to Lead” and learn why we’re all so damn tired.
Karen Walrond and I have been friends for a long time. We laugh a lot and we lean a lot, and when I say lean—I mean into each other. We lean into each other when shit gets hard.
I called her up the other day and said, “Will you come on the podcast with me? I’m in deep struggle. Things have been so hard personally and the pain in the world is overwhelming. I can’t find my footing.”
Not only did Karen say yes to joining me for last week’s “Unlocking Us,” but then she showed up. I mean, really showed up. She reminded me about the practices that keep us grounded and how we can honor ourselves and the sacred rhythm of activism.
I think you’re going to love this conversation. Thank you @heychookooloonks.
Last night was the premiere of the first episode of Atlas of the Heart on @hbomax at @sxsw. I’m so grateful for everyone who came out to support.
I learned three things:
1. I can hold my breath for 40 minutes.
2. It takes a bunch of talented people and a ton of hard work to make something like this happen. Thank you to everyone who left their heart and fingerprints on this project.
3. When I see Steve and my kids, I know I’ll be ok and I’m super clear on what matters the most. ❤️
Thank y’all so much for the early support of “Atlas.” It means the world to me.
I really can’t wait for us to talk about this book. It’s turned my world upside down in the best way possible—although there have been more than a few “dammit” moments.
I want to record the audiobook myself, so the new release date is now February 14, 2022.
Sorry for the delay, but I’ll do it with my whole heart. Pinky swear.
This “Dare to Lead” two-part podcast with @jamesclear has been a long time coming. “Atomic Habits” is a powerful book that has changed the way I think about how I live and lead.
I have this quote on a sticky note on my laptop and another one stuck to my desk at home. Whenever I’m facing a failure, disappointment, or setback, I always ask myself this question: Do our systems support success? No system is a system, and despite our goals, the “no system” system gets us every. single. time.
I hope you learn as much from James as I did.
From proposing that “goals are dumb” to warning us about taking on other people’s fears, @emmanuelacho is turning conventional wisdom upside down and inside out in his new book, “Illogical.”
I especially love this line about our calling not being a conference call. All of us are a little untethered right now, which means a lot of projecting our own fears and anxieties onto other people. Sometimes, if we get really quiet—quiet enough to hear ourselves—we realize we know.
Join us for this fun conversation on “Unlocking Us.” And, Hook ’em!
Calling all my data-heads out there. You’re going to love this episode.
Earlier this year, I came across an article in the “MIT Sloan Management Review” that fascinated me—freaked me out, even.
It was titled “Toxic Culture Is Driving the Great Resignation,” and it was written by Donald Sull, Charles Sull, and Ben Zweig.
In the article, they write how between April and September of 2021, a record number of American employees—24 million of them—left their jobs. So this trio analyzed 34 million online employee profiles in search of the reasons behind this mass exodus.
What’d they find? Well, as the article’s title suggests, “a toxic corporate culture is by far the strongest predictor of industry-adjusted attrition and is 10 times more important than compensation in predicting turnover. Our analysis found that the leading elements contributing to toxic cultures include failure to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion; workers feeling disrespected; and unethical behavior.”
Donald and Charlie join me today on “Dare to Lead,” and we take a deep dive into the data, looking at other predictors of employee turnover, the costs of a toxic work culture, and what leaders can do—in the short term, at least—to boost retention.
History. Herstory.
In this episode of the “Dare to Lead” podcast, Barrett and I discuss this new article from podcast alums Donald Sull and Charlie Sull of CultureX. We talk about our experiences inside organizations and how this list of experiences is impossible to compartmentalize or just leave it at work. They often follow us home and infect our lives in emotionally, physically, and mentally crushing ways.
First step? We need to talk about this—daring leaders are not silent about hard things.
We’re back with part 2 of our “Dare to Lead” series on BRAVING Trust. In this episode, Barrett and I really dig into the core elements of BRAVING:
BOUNDARIES: Setting boundaries is making clear what’s okay and what’s not okay, and why.
RELIABILITY: You do what you say you’ll do. At work, this means staying aware of your competencies and limitations so you don’t overpromise and are able to deliver on commitments and balance competing priorities.
ACCOUNTABILITY: You own your mistakes, apologize, and make amends.
VAULT: You don’t share information or experiences that are not yours to share. I need to know that my confidences are kept, and that you’re not sharing with me any information about other people that should be confidential.
INTEGRITY: Choosing courage over comfort; choosing what’s right over what’s fun, fast, or easy; and practicing your values, not just professing them.
NONJUDGMENT: I can ask for what I need, and you can ask for what you need. We can talk about how we feel without judgment.
GENEROSITY: Extending the most generous interpretation to the intentions, words, and actions of others.
The BRAVING Inventory can be used as a conversation guide that walks us through trust-building from a place of curiosity, learning, and connection.
In this episode of the “Dare to Lead” podcast, I’m talking with @iamjamesrhee about the transformative power of kindness at work. It blew my mind and reassured my heart. #redhelicopter
This is one of my favorite quotes from @susancainauthor’s new book “Bittersweet.” This book grabs you by the heart and doesn’t let go.
Susan’s book “Quiet” helped me understand and appreciate my introversion, and her new book helped me understand and appreciate the bittersweet state of mind that’s always been central to who I am.
My bittersweet state of mind is not about perpetual sadness or melancholy. In fact, it is the source of my joy, my gratitude, and my hope. I have a very clear understanding of pain and sorrow and loss, and the reverence I have for what is hard makes what is sweet and good about life even sweeter.
These dichotomies—joy through sorrow, hope through struggle—are the crux of bittersweet. As Susan writes, “the recognition that light and dark, birth and death—bitter and sweet—are forever paired.”
The book comes out on April 5th. Pre-order now and join us for this 2-episode conversation about sad songs, the beauty of longing, and the hard edges of love. And, a little Leonard Cohen, of course.
I like spring. She always finds a way.
My dear friend Karen Walrond @heychookooloonks—author of the new book “The Lightmaker’s Manifesto”—is back on “Unlocking Us,” and we pick up right where we left off last week: digging deep on the contours of joy and activism.
In this episode, we explore the relationship between activism and spirituality. We talk about listening to the whispers that are calling us and the self-inquiry strategies that help us know what we’re supposed to be doing. We also dig in on performative activism and outrage, as well as the realities of burnout and how joy helps curb some of that.
It’s an important conversation—and one we need to be having right now.
Another very special episode of “Unlocking Us” coming at you this week! I’m talking to my longtime friend Karen Walrond @heychookooloonks about her beautiful new book, “The Lightmaker’s Manifesto,” which explores the intersection of joy and activism.
Activism is such a big and often intimidating concept, but in this book, Karen breaks it down into small, intentional, and integrated acts that lead to a joyful life. It’s the right book for the right time, written by someone who is the embodiment of light and a true maker of joy.
Y’all know how much I love Julie and John Gottman @gottmaninstitute! Their work has fundamentally changed me and my family.
This is going to be a great conversation — please join us tonight! ❤️❤️❤️
You can find the link to tickets in my profile.
I ❤️ Canada.
Our virtual “Atlas” book launch event on December 2 will now be hosted by a number of indie booksellers in Canada as well as our favorite shops in the U.S.!
Check out the link in my profile to see the local bookstores that are participating and to get your tickets.
Can’t wait to see everybody soon!
Last summer, I received a flurry of texts from my fashionista friends that were all some version of, “OMG! @thebemagugu reads your books!” It turns out that he mentioned reading them in an interview for @britishvogue. It took me 20 seconds to fall in love with him and his breathtaking work! It took another 10 seconds to call my team and say, “We have to do a Daring Interview with him for the ABK Edit!”
His words are as beautiful as his designs! If you know him, you’ll love this interview. You can find the link in my profile. If this is your introduction — you’re welcome!
The stunning photography is by @travysowen.
