Unlike most people, when I hear the phrase “mindful leadership,” I simultaneously think “brainful leadership.” Yes, I know “brainful” is not a word. For us then, in this article and moving forward, it’s a neologism. A new word. It matters because the focus is on science and science in the 21st century will assure you…
What we need to teach kids about the psychology of bullying. Children’s schools are inspected and regularly checked by professionals to ensure safety from the harm of fire. Not only are the building and facilities, with specific attention to risks like electrical wiring, assessed by firefighters, but the whole school from the principal to the youngest student…
A ‘perfectly lovely’ psychopath? Thing is that few psychopaths fit the ominous Hollywood stereotype. It’s all too easy to be targeted by an arch-manipulator, whose real aim in life is to control you. Clients and friends tell me how a psychopath is exciting to be with. Attentive, lovely, kind, thoughtful, funny; a charming and interesting…
After I reported teachers’ abuse at one private school, then watched administrators and the board cover up, I resigned in protest. I was hired to work at another private school. In my third year at the new school, a student reported directly to me that she was being “sexually harassed by a teacher.” I didn’t…
In the last blog, I spoke about losing my temper one afternoon with two students. I drew a clear contrast between this awful mistake and the abusive conduct of four teachers that students reported on in 2012. My goal in this blog is to encourage others to be whistleblowers and especially when it’s high-stakes such as…
I am often asked about the difference between demanding and demeaning conduct. The first aims to raise expectations and enhance performance for all. The second is humiliating and degrading. There’s zero comparison between them, but those who demean like to say it’s actually to “motivate.” Don’t fall for that lie. Part of why I am an…
In writing about whistleblowers, John Solas talks about those he categorizes as “bad followers.” When abuse happens, the spotlight is shone on poor leadership, but it’s also important to examine the ways in which others contribute to a culture where abuse flourishes. Solas organizes bad followers into four categories. The first set of followers obey and I devote…
When we chose the whistleblower path, we had no idea that we were actually going to save our son’s life by unleashing the power of the truth. We thought we were ruining it, but that it was a necessary step in order to halt abuse. You cannot know how the acts you do in the…
Speaking up is dangerous. Speaking up is dangerous and that is why most people don’t do it. What’s fascinating is that research shows the majority believes that they would be whistleblowers when in fact they wouldn’t. Psychologist Piero Bocchiaro at the University of Palermo did a study in 2012 to explore the act of being a whistleblower.…
When you are abused, you often lose yourself, your authentic self. You become disconnected from your essential self. You are the self lost to abuse. My mission is to recover her and honour her. This is why you see her on my website. That confident, glowing, young, vibrant woman. I am dedicated to returning her…