As we close out Black History Month and near the start Women’s History Month and Social Work Month I’m reminded that I went into social work to become a leader and an entrepreneur. – Community Economic Development I went into social work to build and lead an intergenerational community connecting seniors and young people […]
Blending S.O.F.T. Leadership™ and Social Work Read More »
Innovation as S.O.F.T. Leadership™ in Action Black History isn’t just American history; Black History is innovation history. The infrastructure of modern life — transportation systems, medical advancements, communication technology, public safety, agriculture, and global computing — exists because Black innovators identified problems others overlooked and created solutions the world now depends on. Traffic signals.
Black History Month: 28 Black Inventors Who Shaped the Modern World Read More »
Self-love in leadership isn’t a feeling — it’s a practice. And in the context of S.O.F.T. Leadership™, it becomes the foundation for sustainable success, not just temporary relief. Why Self-Love Is a Leadership Competency We’ve spent decades learning that leadership is measured by output — hours logged, results delivered, battles survived. But what if
From Self-Love to Sustainable Succcess: Embodying the S.O.F.T. Leadership™ Way Read More »
February is often framed as a month of love— but rarely the kind women in leadership are taught to practice with themselves. For high-performing leaders, especially Women of Color, self-love has been mischaracterized as indulgence instead of infrastructure. But under S.O.F.T. Leadership™, self-love is essential. It is wise. It is protective. It
Self-Love, S.O.F.T. Leadership™, and Sustainable Success Read More »
For years, leadership conversations have framed growth as a move from surviving to thriving. While well‑intentioned, that framing often misses what high‑performing leaders are actually navigating. Many leaders are not struggling because they lack resilience, motivation, or skill. They are navigating success that has been shaped by survival mode—a way of leading that prioritizes
From Survival Mode to Sovereign Mode: A S.O.F.T. Leadership™ Shift Read More »
When I teach and talk about S.O.F.T. Leadership™, I’m not asking leaders to abandon rigor, results, or responsibility. I’m asking them to return to what actually works. Here’s how Sesame Street mirrors my S.O.F.T. framework: Strategy: Asking Before Acting On Sesame Street, understanding always comes before instruction. That’s Strategy in S.O.F.T. Leadership™—leading with curiosity
Sesame Street as a Blueprint for S.O.F.T. Leadership™ Read More »
January is more than a fresh start — it’s a powerful catalyst where leadership, identity, and sustainability meet. As organizations set goals, assess priorities, and plan for the year ahead, January offers a rare window to pause and ask deeper questions:How are we leading? Who are we centering? And what kind of leadership will
January as a Catalyst for Sustainable, Human-Centered Leadership Read More »
Since 2014, I’ve shared These 3 Words as a monthly practice—an intentional pause for introspection, inspiration, aspiration, and validation. Some years, the words arrive with diversity. Some years, they arrive with uniformity. In 2025, one word anchored everything: Thrive. Not hustle. Not endure. Not “push through.” Thrive. Over the course of the year, that
These 3 Words 2025 Recap: A Year of Learning How to Thrive Read More »
The Winter Solstice on Sunday, 12/21/25, marked the shortest day and the longest night of the year. It was a quiet threshold moment when darkness peaks and light began its slow return. You already know how much I love summer, but the Winter Solstice offered a leadership lesson I’ve learned to respect. Because winter
Winter Solstice Leadership: What Stillness Can Teach High-Performing Women of Color Read More »
For many high-performing Women of Color in leadership, the holiday season is anything but restful. It’s a time of year layered with expectations — at work, in our families, in our communities, and within ourselves. We’re closing out budgets and initiatives, showing up for end-of-year celebrations, holding space for others’ emotions, and often carrying
A Softer Way to Lead Through the Holidays: The S.O.F.T. Leadership™ Framework Read More »