In the interest of not burying the lead, let me first say I graduated from the Appalachian Leadership Institute (ALI) on Wednesday. It’s been quite the journey, one that has taken the better part of the last year to complete. I’ve gone to sessions in six Appalachian states as well as D.C. We learned about community development, economic development, tourism, housing, healthcare, and other issues and opportunities within the region. It’s been the learning and bonding experience of a lifetime! If you have the opportunity to apply to future cohorts, JUST DO IT!
Personal Authentic Self
Why we don’t have to be good
New Year’s reflections on gentleness and resolutions It’s 3 p.m. on New Year’s Day and I’m seated at my desk to repeat my semi-annual ritual of taking stock. Resolutions get a bad rap and I get why. I heard yesterday that just 4 in 10 people manage to keep theirs, and there have been many […]
10 Months Living in Pittsburgh’s South Side
Ten months ago, three days before Christmas, my wife and I moved into our new (old) home in Pittsburgh’s South Side neighborhood. Throughout our first year here, I’ve often thought about writing about our experience as new residents. Honestly, though, I haven’t known what I want to say. My history with the neighborhood goes back […]
Town Mouse, Country Mouse?
Recounting 16 Years of Life Yesterday, I had dinner at a restaurant I first tried nearly 16 years ago when I was just getting started in my community development work. I was 24-years-old and new to Pittsburgh’s South Side neighborhood the first time I walked through the door at Dish. Yesterday, while sitting on one […]
Getting Clear on Vision
February 23 Workshop at Whetstone Workgroup Vision boards have been all the rage lately. I held one myself the first week of January (here’s a write up on it in Pittsburgh Magazine). The New Year is always a good time to reflect on where we are and where we’re headed. At the request of some […]
My Best Gifts this Year
Most weren’t “things” at all As the year comes to a close, I’ve been thinking about the best gifts that I received this year. Four that touch both my personal and professional lives (and which generally involve the idea of “connecting”) are: The gift of nature. I recently took stock of the parks and trails I’ve […]
Days like this
I’m going to share something with you. I cried about money today. I’m not a frequent all-out crier, although I do get teary-eyed from time to time. But this was a full-fledged cry of frustration and embarrassment. It brought to mind a similar incident last year at a Phoenix International ticket counter. I had missed […]
Business Lessons from My Brother
One of the last conversations I had with my brother, Jim, before he died was one about our respective businesses. I had ideas on how he could professionalize his construction business of 10 years – things like a website and Facebook page. Sadly, we never got around to these things, not that I’m convinced he […]
A Cycle Forward client makes space for play
One of my amazing coaching clients recently suggested trading posts on each others’ blogs. I couldn’t be more thrilled with what she chose to share. Anyone who want to make more space for play will want to continue reading for Rosslyn Kemerer’s insights on play: For the past few months, I’ve been receiving thought-provoking […]
Are Communities Performing the Grand Seduction?
I watched the movie The Grand Seduction recently and have been thinking about it in the context of community ever since. Somehow this little indie movie about a Newfoundland village that tries to lure a doctor to plant roots has permeated my thinking in consulting projects. The premise of the movie is that the village […]
