The Second Lesson
A true story… I’ve loved sailing since I was a kid— and if you asked me how that started, I’d be tempted to point to my first lesson. But that’s not really accurate. It happened on the second day, about […]
Mindfulness
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The Laundry Room
When our six-year-old’s temper tantrums spiraled out of control, a child psychiatrist gave us an approach to try. It turned out to be the best leadership advice I ever received. A funny, true story about parenting, system design, and what […]
A Knock on The Front Door
A stranger knocked on the front door of my Bucks County farmhouse. What followed was one of the most unexpected afternoons of my life — a story about houses, memory, and the lives that get passed forward through the walls […]
Between Getting Lost and Finding My Way
A nine-year-old city kid discovers the Maine woods in 1969. Fifty years later, his father’s fading memory holds onto “Gus’s cabin” while everything else dissolves. A story about what stays, what goes, and finding one’s way. The post Between Getting […]
The Great Vespa Registration Saga
A cross-country Vespa registration crisis turns into an unexpected lesson in leadership, persistence, and the power of asking the right questions at 8 AM. The post The Great Vespa Registration Saga appeared first on Andy Cleff. Powered by WPeMatico
Loose Change: When Regret Becomes Wisdom
A mouse-eaten bag of foreign currency becomes a meditation on regret, family patterns, and the art of letting go. Sometimes our “impulsive” decisions clear space for what wants to emerge The post Loose Change: When Regret Becomes Wisdom appeared first […]
Leadership Suggestions from a Cat
Discover how feline wisdom translates to powerful leadership principles in this illustrated exploration of strategic defiance, intentional rest, and boundless curiosity. Leadership lessons from an unexpected mentor. The post Leadership Suggestions from a Cat appeared first on Andy Cleff. Powered […]
Sounds and Silence, Shadows and Light
Discover how a conversation about music with my daughter Sophie stimulated insights about systems thinking, cross-contextual learning, and fostering adaptive teams. Learn how to hear the unheard melodies in your organization. The post Sounds and Silence, Shadows and Light appeared […]
The Social Brain at Work: Lessons from Natural Grace
Have you ever watched a cat navigate a complex space? No wasted movement. No second-guessing. Just fluid response to the environment. The most effective leaders I work with share this quality – an almost instinctive ability to read and respond […]
The Art of Gentle Leadership: Team Dynamics
Leadership paradox of the day: The harder you try to control group dynamics, the more likely they are to crack under pressure. The art lies in creating space – holding situations firmly enough for safety, loosely enough for collaboration and […]