April 19, 2026 It must be catching: Ben Wylder, writes of his experience at the Ashland, Oregon DMV. For the full accolade go here. An extract follows: “I don’t know if anyone else in Ashland has had this experience, but as an Ashland newcomer, I feel utterly compelled to report something that I did not…
Teamwork
Letting Go*
Some years ago, I gave a talk to a large group of department heads about Leading from the Middle. It went fairly well, but one participant, seated as far from me as possible, never let up scowling. Was it me, something I said, or something she ate? I suspect it was my topic. Some managers are…
Effective Teams: What’s the Secret?*
It’s an eternal question , why some teams do well and others fail. Is it luck or circumstance, personality, leadership, or urgency, nature or nurture? All of these, none of these? Some of my work teams would take off and soar far above others. I try to explain this phenomenon in my classes by exploring…
Fable of the Hedgehog and the Birds*
“A small elephant is not a rabbit.”



