Category Archives: Leadership

Is America Racist?

Posted on September 5, 2017 by Tom Nees

A friend sent me a WSJ article by Shelby Steele: “Why The Left Can’t Let Go of Racism.” It begins with a question, “Is America racist?’’ In the wake of Charlottesville he wanted to know what I think of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership | 1 Comment

Charlottesville

Posted on August 14, 2017 by Tom Nees

If you are Jewish, African American or Native American you may not be that surprised at the rally and protests in Charlottesville this past weekend. You are not surprised when white supremacists spew out their racism and anti-Semitism. If you … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership | 5 Comments

The Serenity Prayer – and The Reinhold Niebuhr Story

Posted on August 7, 2017 by Tom Nees

The Serenity Prayer, originally composed in 1943 by the pastor-theologian Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971) for the troops in WWII, resonates as much now as ever in our public as well as personal lives. God, give us grace to accept with serenity … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership, Reviews | 2 Comments

How Well Do We Handle Adversity?

Posted on July 10, 2017 by Tom Nees

I’ve been thinking a lot about that question having recently read Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy by Sheryl Sandburg, CEO of Facebook and Adam Grant, a best-selling author and psychologist at Warton. It may be because … Continue reading →

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On Nurturing Our Networks

Posted on February 27, 2017 by Tom Nees

A life-long friend called last week because he had not heard from me in more than a month. Given our ages, (this is my 80th year – more about that later) he was concerned that perhaps something unfortunate had happened … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership | 5 Comments

How Optimistic Are You For 2017?

Posted on January 3, 2017 by Tom Nees

I’ve been listening to conversations and asking the question. Some are cautiously optimistic; others pessimistic, a few seem to be hunkering down waiting for the apocalypse. Late in 2016, Thomas Friedman published his most extensive book yet – Thank You … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership | 4 Comments

Howard Thurman’s Christmas

Posted on December 15, 2016 by Tom Nees

I’m struggling to find The Mood of Christmas that Howard Thurman (1899-1981), the prominent African American author, theologian, educator, and civil rights leader, wrote about in 1973.    The election turmoil with its uncertain aftermath makes it difficult to focus on … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership, Reviews, Serving | 5 Comments

Election Fears and Hopes

Posted on November 21, 2016 by Tom Nees

Two days after the election I joined with a group of friends, men and women, in Washington, D.C., to discuss our fears and hopes.  We were more interested in listening to one another than arguing about the uncertain future.  And … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership, Trends | 2 Comments

Intelligent Disobedience – Learning From Guide Dogs

Posted on October 3, 2016 by Tom Nees

In Ira Chaleff’s 2015 book Intelligent Disobedience: Doing Right When What You’re Told To Do Is Wrong, ‘intelligent disobedience’ in guide dogs is a metaphor for an important but often overlooked behavior pattern for humans. A guide dog trainer told … Continue reading →

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Living and Leading in a Tribal Way

Posted on September 6, 2016 by Tom Nees

We live in a country ‘at war with itself’ writes war correspondent Sebastian Junger in  Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging. The battle lines are everywhere—political gridlock and the most divisive presidential campaign in modern times, the widening wealth gap, worsening … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership | 4 Comments