Wild leaders understand, deep in their bones, that leadership is never a solo act. It moves through the whole team. Sled dogs illustrate this truth beautifully—and powerfully.

Yes, I am technically the leader: the musher, the one responsible for feeding them, tending their yard, training them, and caring for them in a hundred quiet ways. But […]

Almost without fail, one of the first questions people ask about dogsledding is how you choose the lead dog. As usual, what works with a sled dog team mirrors what works for human teams.

Here are a few parallels regarding leaders…

Ultimately as the musher, I am the leader, the one who decides our route, the teams, […]

Whether or not you have ever paddled a canoe in whitewater, I guarantee you know what it feels like when conditions change and the route you thought you were going to take is no longer an option. You are almost certainly experiencing that feeling right now. In rapids, you eddy out (get safely either to […]

Teamwork and community take on a deeper meaning in times of crisis. And right now, so many of us are navigating wrenching challenges.

For decades I have guided dogsledding trips at Wintermoon. Some of you have been on those trips, and most of you have heard me speak about the wisdom of our beloved dogs. So […]

“OK, wait, what are 3 things that brought you joy today?” This was my friend’s impromptu question at the end of one our luminous conversations. We live far apart and periodically have lengthy phone calls to stay connected and to track the happenings in each other’s lives. It was time to wrap up, we’d been […]

Being a leader right now is off the charts difficult. You are not immune from the havoc and upheaval all around you. And yet, your team/organization may be looking to you for answers, reassurance, and confidence. How do you project that if you aren’t feeling it? Where is the line between holding steady and being […]

1. Revel in all the love that is in your life, whatever form it takes, from individuals to friends to communities and beyond. Savor it. Celebrate it. Be thankful for it. Take strength from it

2. Hold in your heart those people you particularly want to celebrate (if you celebrate, some find it sweet/others find it […]

It was a gut-wrenching moment. I was set to speak at the 50th anniversary of the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA), where I serve on the board and deeply believe in the cause. I’d prepared remarks about using MCEA as a powerful “carbon counterpoint” – donating to tackle the root causes of emissions, rather […]

“Something shifted during our last session.” That’s how my coaching client described it and I felt it too. I could practically see it happening, even through the tiny screens of zoom. Something brightened across her face, like how light changes when sun breaks through clouds.

Honestly, I think we both were a little startled by how […]