Monthly Archives: June 2012

Mailing it in

Posted on June 28, 2012 by

Today I received emails from class representatives from both my high school and graduate school asking me to give as part of an annual campaign. Both asks were identical: our participation rates are low, please give so we can increase … Continue reading →

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The thing about being generous

Posted on June 27, 2012 by

Is that most of the time the generosity comes right back at you, except when it doesn’t. You can lean into that rejection too. That tiny sense that someone just took advantage of you? It’s a reminder that this isn’t … Continue reading →

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No irrational action

Posted on June 26, 2012 by

I used to dismiss what looked like irrational action.  I’d watch people’s behaviors and, when things didn’t make sense to me, I’d let it go. “Sometimes people do things that just don’t make sense” was a safe refrain.  Maybe they … Continue reading →

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Hard skills, soft skills, real skills

Posted on June 22, 2012 by

There’s a whole set of things that feel concrete and objective and are easiest to talk about: writing, financial modeling skills, project management, writing a decent PowerPoint deck, etc. And then there a whole set of “softer” skills – skill … Continue reading →

Posted in Growth | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

ionPoverty with Anne-Marie Burgoyne

Posted on June 20, 2012 by

I thought I’d share Jonathan Lewis’ ionPoverty interview with my friend Anne-Marie Burgoyne. Anne-Marie’s portfolio of totally incredible social enterprises is a sight to behold: she funds amazing early-stage social entrepreneurs, and over the course of her three year engagement … Continue reading →

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Insight as a spectator sport

Posted on June 18, 2012 by

I recently reread Daniel Goleman’s 1998 Harvard Business Review article on emotional intelligence .  Goleman’s research showed that as individuals get more senior in organizations, differentials in performance are a function not of intellect and technical skills but of emotional … Continue reading →

Posted in Ideas | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Fundraising problem

Posted on June 14, 2012 by

Here’s the conundrum: transactions happen today, relationships build over months, even years.   Real relationship-building doesn’t conform to rules of thumb or your annual targets.  Also, if you’re building from scratch, it could take years to get from here to there. … Continue reading →

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The transitions

Posted on June 13, 2012 by

I had a yoga teacher who loved to rib the class about all the activity that would start after (or before) a really tough pose: “It’s amazing how thirsty everyone gets, how it becomes time to fix your hair or … Continue reading →

Posted in presence | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

What sets you apart

Posted on June 12, 2012 by

Not smarts or capacity or competence. Not pedigree. Not even accomplishments if they didn’t require putting yourself on the line. Relentless passion? Courage? Going out on a limb? Refusal to give up? Yeah, now we’re getting somewhere. It’s virtually impossible … Continue reading →

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I Have a Dream

Posted on June 7, 2012 by

Last month I had the chance to spend a weekend in Washington D.C.  By far the most emotional moment for me was my stop at the Lincoln Memorial, which, somehow, I’d never visited before. At the top of the steps … Continue reading →

Posted in Inspiration | 3 Comments