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Warm Demander Leader

Practical wisdom for leaders who want to grow people and win

Realness, Meaning, & Belonging at Work

The Unexpected Conversation

AI Helped Create

July 20, 2026

Favorites

Fan Club

More Than Spectators

July 12, 2026

Realness, Meaning, & Belonging at Work

Archimedes

Sitting in the airport lobby

June 21, 2026

Realness, Meaning, & Belonging at Work

A Teacher Noticed

Everything changed

June 9, 2026

Realness, Meaning, & Belonging at Work

Love Notes

The last laugh

April 25, 2026

Favorites

Heading West

Tell me more about my grandfather

March 21, 2026

Realness, Meaning, & Belonging at Work

Love was in the Room

They drove hundreds of miles.

February 28, 2026

Realness, Meaning, & Belonging at Work

Back It In

At first, I didn’t see the need.

January 30, 2026

Favorites

A Family Dinner

If you ring these bells

January 27, 2026

Realness, Meaning, & Belonging at Work

Merriment

I would love for you to feel merriment too.

December 26, 2025

Realness, Meaning, & Belonging at Work

Wanted: The Gift of Gab

I was blessed with a father-in-law who had “the gift of gab.”

November 30, 2025

Realness, Meaning, & Belonging at Work

The Currency of Impact

Watching his father's love and humor shape the world around him

October 24, 2025

Realness, Meaning, & Belonging at Work

Addicted to Love

Wrap around support

September 19, 2025

Realness, Meaning, & Belonging at Work

Three Life Lessons I Learned from a Caver

We met our guide, John Keough, on the side of the road.

July 26, 2025

Favorites

Summer of Three Goats

Their dad often came home with surprises.

June 15, 2025

Realness, Meaning, & Belonging at Work

It just takes some time

When you’re new to a team and the pressure is on to produce.

June 13, 2025

Realness, Meaning, & Belonging at Work

We’ve been “fruited”

Getting to know one of Dunedin’s most beloved citizens.

May 5, 2025

Realness, Meaning, & Belonging at Work

Pleased to Meet You

Collecting extraordinary stories.

March 4, 2025

Realness, Meaning, & Belonging at Work

Track Some Mud on the Carpet

The movie A Complete Unknown kept calling to me to go see it.

January 18, 2025

Realness, Meaning, & Belonging at Work

Can-do Contagiousness

When I arrived at the meeting spot, I had a choice of signs.

November 11, 2024

Realness, Meaning, & Belonging at Work

You Say Hello, and I Say Goodbye

A reminder of your support can provide just the right boost of energy that they need to keep pushing forward.

October 1, 2024

Realness, Meaning, & Belonging at Work

It’s Possible, Anything’s Possible

Make the best of the test.

September 2, 2024

Realness, Meaning, & Belonging at Work

Even When It’s Hard

Do what’s right even when you know there could be retaliation.

August 2, 2024

Realness, Meaning, & Belonging at Work

Confidently Push Through the Awkward Zone

Not so awesome care packages.

July 1, 2024

Favorites

Toby and Bobby

When someone suffers from a hardship, be ready to support them with re-entry.

June 25, 2024

Realness, Meaning, & Belonging at Work

5 Ways to Get More Accepted Job Offers

Young adults have heard the horror stories of toxic workplaces.

June 1, 2024

Realness, Meaning, & Belonging at Work

Hardening Needed

Free play is the primary means by which children develop resilience.

May 2, 2024

Favorites

My Gemba Day

Looking forward to the adventure of a St. Andrew School field Trip.

April 27, 2024

Realness, Meaning, & Belonging at Work

Our Seedlings

Nurturing my seedlings to give them the best chance to make it.

April 3, 2024

Realness, Meaning, & Belonging at Work

Starting Over

In life, we all have moments when we need to start over.

March 1, 2024

Realness, Meaning, & Belonging at Work

Entre Nous

Create constructs for connection and more Entre Nous moments.

February 1, 2024

Favorites

The Gift of the Game

When I met John one of the first things I learned about him was that he played Men’s hockey.

January 25, 2024

Realness, Meaning, & Belonging at Work

Be a Friend

America has a loneliness crisis, and the most lonely are the young adults.

January 2, 2024

Favorites

Grandma's in the House

Don't let fear and potential obstacles blind your vision and push you into deciding between what is right and what is easy.

December 23, 2023

Favorites

Catching Up with Uncle Franny

My life is better because of the conversations and connections with relatives that enriched my childhood.

December 23, 2023

Realness, Meaning, & Belonging at Work

Your Digital Twin Could Be Your New Best Friend

Your digital twin can pinch hit for you when you are busy.

December 1, 2023

Realness, Meaning, & Belonging at Work

Warmly Demanding Guest

The outsider can keep the team honest by warmly insisting you call out what is slowing you down.

November 1, 2023

Realness, Meaning, & Belonging at Work

Confidence in Your Neighbors Help

It’s not automatic that we know each other’s names or much about each other. But when we do, life’s burdens are less heavy.

October 2, 2023

Favorites

Convenient Camaraderie

When you have an opportunity to embrace a local tradition that encourages community, go for it!

September 24, 2023

Realness, Meaning, & Belonging at Work

Baseball Game Hierarchy of Needs

We all want to feel safe when we are out and about, and especially at work where we spend so much time.

September 1, 2023

Favorites

A Special Occasion

Perhaps even more important for your team to engage in the act of welcoming and supporting others.

August 17, 2023

Realness, Meaning, & Belonging at Work

Pods of Support

Create the right environment for your pod members to raise concerns and collaborate on solutions.

August 1, 2023

Favorites

The Candyman

Three cheers for Uncle Bob!

July 16, 2023

Realness, Meaning, & Belonging at Work

Last of a Dying Breed

Awesome leaders know how to be social at work. Are leaders like this becoming extinct?

July 1, 2023

Favorites

More Than Just a Game

When given an opportunities to invest your time, talent and treasure in a meaningful endeavor, join in!

June 4, 2023

Realness, Meaning, & Belonging at Work

Embrace the Rain

Business is about people. The best leaders know this, and know that people need love, even at work.

June 2, 2023

Disconnected

End of the US COVID Health Emergency. Are You Ready?

With the end of US COVID health emergency, it's time to make sure everything is in working order.

May 25, 2023

Disconnected

May Day! May Day! Warm Demanders Needed!

Share with someone you know who is about to enter the work force, early in their career, or struggling to find friendship at work.

May 1, 2023

Disconnected

Be a Fiddler on The Roof

"You might say every one of us is a fiddler on the roof trying to scratch out a pleasant simple tune without breaking his neck."

March 2, 2023

Favorites

Stand up and holler

When you see someone accomplishing something they have never done before, be it big or small, call it out. Cheer!

February 22, 2023

Favorites

There's a party going on right here

We're gonna celebrate your party with you.

February 6, 2023

Disconnected

Four steps to address worker burnout

EGBs are fueling "Relationships. Growth. Victory " for Coach Shaka Smart's Marquette Golden Eagles.

January 30, 2023

Favorites

It's a family tradition

Cooks caught catching their breath.

December 2, 2022

Disconnected

Urgently needed: "Warm Demanders"

Warm Demanders push you for excellence and get you to stretch beyond your comfort zone.

November 2, 2022

Disconnected

Looking for fun? A side gig may be the answer.

Where everybody knows your name and they're always glad you came.

October 6, 2022

Favorites

Enthusiastic climber delights the crowd

Hanging out in the gymnasium again.

September 29, 2022

Favorites

Rescue Heroes Save The Day

Responding to another disaster just in time.

July 19, 2022

Favorites

Sometimes It Takes Two

Getting ready for a ride in their first car.

July 14, 2022

Disconnected

Be Like Manarola

If you can't live in Manarola you can at least do this.

July 7, 2022

Disconnected

What Does it Take to Feel Safe?

Look-out for warning signs that a team member is not feeling safe, whether in the workplace or elsewhere.

March 2, 2022

Disconnected

One Thing You Can Do to Feel Good Everyday

Make this simple habit yours. It's fuel for learning, happiness, resilience and longevity.

February 11, 2022

Disconnected

Hangin' Out in the Park & Ride Lot

Staying connected, even when it's hard, awkward or unconventional is worth it.

February 9, 2022

Disconnected

Check This List to Decide If You Are Joining "the Great Resignation"

While how we work has changed for many people, the basic elements that make work a joy are the same.

October 30, 2021

Disconnected

Three Ways Leaders Can Address Irl Skills Gaps.

We talked, discussed and debated everything from our classes, our relationships, religion and politics.

September 13, 2021

Disconnected

"That Is Just Sad."

The pandemic has made work less human for many people. Do what you can to foster relationships at work.

July 22, 2021

Disconnected

Creative, Kind and Unforgettable

Simple personal and in-person encounters is what we need each and every day.

June 13, 2021

Disconnected

Game On

Not even fully aware of how starved I was of face-to-face family affection, I lapped up every morsel of togetherness.

April 28, 2021

Disconnected

A Little Less Conversation, a Little More Action, Please

It's really up to you to decide if you want to make the effort to institute the needed changes or just keep talking about it.

April 6, 2021

Disconnected

Let's Share Some Pie

When you share the work there's more pie.

November 23, 2020

Disconnected

Open Your Eyes to the Social Dilemma

We have a generation harmed because of poor leadership.

September 23, 2020

Disconnected

Wisdom From "always On" Interns

Leaders, consider these tips and others from your team as you both take stock in how to improve virtual work for your current team and as you prepare to onboard new employees to your organization.

August 25, 2020

Disconnected

Be Ready for the Unexpected

Keep Your Cool and Your Humanity About You. Be Ready for the Unexpected.

August 1, 2020

Disconnected

Comfort, Consistency and Chocolate Cake

With each day presenting new challenges, consider how you can offer stability to your team.

July 12, 2020

Disconnected

Encouraging Feedback on Racial Injustice Starts with Getting Some Yourself

As leaders, our job is to create an environment where having tough conversations can take place.

June 6, 2020

Disconnected

Get Your Digital Welcome Mat Out

First impressions are everything. A virtual first impression is new territory for most employers, and it's important to get it right.

May 3, 2020

Deliver Realness, Meaning and Belonging at Work

Disconnected is a must-read for leaders.

April 17, 2020

Disconnected

Stick to It, Especially Now

Keep Wellbeing Front and Center with Daily Tracking.

April 5, 2020

Disconnected

Covid-19 and Workplace Loneliness

When someone doesn't feel connected, it's difficult for them to do their best work.

April 4, 2020

Disconnected