Essays on creative leadership,
culture, and the human side of work.
Becoming
These are personal essays about growing up as a fostered, then adopted child — and about what that does to a person over the course of a life and career. The passivity you develop to survive. The shame that shows up uninvited in elevators and conference rooms decades later. The moment you finally recognize the bully pattern, in a boss, in a father, in yourself.
The most-read piece opens with a meat cleaver. My wife, coming down the hall. Me, curled under the covers at thirty years old, having just been fired and not yet told her. It’s not a comfortable essay. But by the end, it explains — more directly than anything else I’ve written — why I understand what happens to people when they’re made to feel small at work, and why that understanding is the foundation of everything I do professionally.
These essays aren’t separate from my advisory work. They are the source of it.
Advisory Notes
These are essays about the emotional realities of creative professional life — the anxiety of leadership, the psychology of negotiation, the particular ways creative people get in their own way, and the particular ways organizations let them down.
One of the most-read pieces, “Why Creative Firms Break Differently,” argues that creative firms don’t fail from bad strategy — they unravel from the inside, through fatigue, misalignment, and a gradual loss of trust no one can quite name. That piece captures what all of these essays are reaching toward.
I write from four decades of experience inside creative firms, but I write the way I talk: directly, without jargon, with stories. Each piece includes one of my own illustrations. If you work in a creative firm and ever feel like the game is rigged against you, this series is for you.
“We reach down deep when forced to, and become what we need to be.” – Old Overture parable Writing on the wall The meeting was short. Tom had known for weeks that things weren’t right. Now he pushed back his chair, stood and headed for the door, unemployed. He was a little off balance as…
Late to the office. The fantasy continues. “Brie,” says Tommy, entering the room. “You okay? I know it’s tense. Are you sleeping…?” “I’m fine.” Clutching her tea, Brie reflects on her morning…. Discomfort I awoke remembering only touches of the dreams. Still disturbing, though I don’t know why. A moment, then it came back to…
“Ooooooh.” The crowd breathes in unison as they enter the station deep underground. It’s the first chance to see GM’s magic train in action. The fantasy continues… “Whoosh,” as the Vactrain leaves the station on another demo run full of happy GM workers and their families. Celebration GM’s chair, Bill Smith, wears a smile that…
“Did you really think you were creating lies?” The fantasy continues… Tommy thought about it. “No, I wasn’t that self-aware.” Tommy – mostly out of daily Overture activity now, but still engaged in issues regarding consensus within the co-op – reflected on the question. He answered Brie: “We were on fire with the power of it…
The smoke was thicker now. The fantasy continues… They were running down the stairs. Hitting the landings hard. Pivoting, attacking the next flight. “Brie, Brie, how many more flights?” “We’re close now, I think.” Finally, the doors. The smoke was coming up from below. Fire in the garage? Who knew. Allison hit the panic bar.…
It’s crumbling. Thousands are working below the official poverty level: left out, angry. Mass protests are now normal public behavior. Violent acts are increasing. The aviation industry is in collapse. Others are sure to follow. GM’s leap into rail, mass transit and tunneling is in the news. As are efforts by other giant companies to…
Tiny weaponized drones hit just after takeoff. Fire exploded out of both engines and down went the craft, with 140 people aboard. As did five other planes across the country. The fantasy continues… “Mom, I booked you on the next train to Chicago.” “What?” “Just listen, Mom. All the airports are closed. Get to…
New essays, every week.
With an illustration.
No noise. Just the writing — delivered to your inbox when it's ready.
"*" indicates required fields
Also available on Substack.
You never cease to amaze me with your willingness to make your life an open book — especially the more hurtful parts. And I'm amazed by the lessons you draw from all of it.
— Larry Coffman, PublisherYour writing has revealed some very intimate, powerful lessons. You are a source of inspiration both professionally and, increasingly, on a personal level.
— Rick GoreWe can discuss the ugly, uncomfortable truths while always circling back to what matters: the people, the underdogs, the work we get to do, and the magical existence we get to share as creatives.
— Sarah EskandarpourI loved your article about how clients' emotions affect briefs. It's a huge part of the creative industry and it's always good to see somebody so knowledgeable write about it.
— Vuk Bojovic, JKR Account Director, Singapore