Blog

Uncover the stories, people, and processes that power our work.

Apr 29 2026

Your Team’s Motivation Problem Is Actually an Encouragement Deficit

Why High-Performing Teams Still Have an Encouragement Deficit Most leaders believe they are motivating their team. They celebrate successes in team meetings, send the “great job” email, and recognize the employee of the month. However, people are tired, disconnected, and quietly losing faith in the work. Here’s the harsh reality: what most leaders are doing […]

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Jun 17 2025

Beyond Emotional Intelligence: 5 Steps Toward Emotional Inclusion (Even If You’d Rather Numb Out)

Let’s be real. Some days, it feels easier to push emotions down, check off the boxes, and pretend everything’s fine. That emotional silence was the norm in my family—and, as it turns out, also the unspoken rule in much of my conservation career. But it’s costing us our health, our connection, and our purpose. What […]

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May 3 2025

Emotional Support Is the Leadership Skill Conservation Forgot

🔥 Conservation Leadership Is Burning Out—Here’s Why It Matters When I was in college—more years ago than I care to count—I didn’t worry much about the future. The path felt hopeful. The conservation jobs were there. The work ahead felt bright. But now, the emotional tone of the conservation workforce has shifted dramatically. From undergraduates […]

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Apr 22 2025

A Missing Link in Conservation: Humility & Perspective

One of my workshops, Cultural Competence & Humility, has been removed from certain places in response to political pressure to eliminate language associated with inclusion, identity, and systemic awareness. I know that the reason for its removal is more than discomfort; it’s fear. And, if we erase cultural humility, what is left isn’t neutral; it’s […]

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