WRITING

Articles

Short, practical writing on culture, identity, and belonging at work, and what the signals there point to.

They wrote it down: The 27 reasons America said "no" to kings

In the year of America’s 250th birthday, the founders’ own paper trail is the place to start. The Declaration of Independence listed 27 grievances against a king. Here is what they wrote, and why it still matters.

Mar 26

A grid of textures arranged in vertical and horizontal lines: striped fabric, weathered wood planks, white vertical blinds, teal corrugated metal, bamboo poles, a living wall of plants, dark wooden slats, stacked stone, a strip of colored threads, glossy orange panels, and bolts of cream fabric. A center panel reads “Vertical vs. Horizontal Morality: Why It Matters for the Workplace Today.”

Vertical vs. horizontal morality: Why it matters for the workplace today

Vertical morality centers authority and structure. Horizontal morality centers equality and shared well-being. What happens at work when we ask who we’re centering in our empathy: systems, or the people they serve?

Apr 3, 2025

A bearded man in a white shirt with red tape over his mouth glances sideways while carrying a box of office belongings, including a potted plant and binders. A blurred colleague sits in the background. A panel reads “From Free Speech to Fear Speech: When Language Becomes a Liability.”

From free speech to fear speech: When language becomes a liability

We’re being asked to play Taboo in real life: talk about identity, justice, and inclusion without using the words that define them. Avoiding the words doesn’t change reality. It just reveals discomfort with acknowledging it.

Mar 15, 2025

A split portrait of Lady Justice holding scales. The left half is a cracked statue in cool blue tones. The right half is a mosaic of colored tiles, with faces of people in the background. A panel on a slate blue background reads “The Attack on DEI: What It Is, What It Isn’t, and What These Presidential Actions Mean for All of Us.”

What does DEI actually mean? And why is our government working overtime to dismantle it?

Diversity, equity, and inclusion aren’t about quotas or unfair advantages. Here’s what DEI actually means, what the January 2025 executive orders changed, and why it matters for workplaces everywhere.

Jan 23, 2025

Four smiling young adults hold up large wooden letters spelling VOTE in red, white, and blue. A panel reads “Election Talk at Work: Balancing Professionalism, Identity, and Dialogue.”

Election talk at work: Balancing professionalism, identity, and dialogue

Political conversations can be a source of both connection and conflict at work. How leaders can balance professionalism, identity, and open dialogue during election season.

Oct 23, 2024