Now that the first devastating wave of the pandemic has hit and communities are beginning to slowly open up we can expect to see the word “collaboration” back in the news. Already, there have been articles written by organizational experts and pundits with little experience in foundation and non-profit work predicting the future and offering advice on how best to respond to a changed world. Whenever there is a crisis in funding there are those who jump to the conclusion that both foundations and non-profits working together is not only necessary but easily done. I have been part of a number of conversations in the last few weeks about the…

It wasn’t a simple disagreement but a showdown that resulted in both men, once fast friends, turning away from each other for the balance of their lives. Neither sees the other again over their bitter feelings about a young person one considered to be a coward while the other not only defended but fought to give a second chance. Who was this young man causing the permanent split between Paul and Barnabas – two heroes of the early church? He has an interesting story—especially for early failures and late bloomers. As a young man John Mark was surrounded by the apostles and leaders of the movement coming to his home.…

As a young soldier in the Civil War, Jefferson Kidd was assigned the duty of being a messenger – a runner – traveling on foot and delivering notes between the various army units. He discovered he loved the freedom and the responsibility and his assignment “felt like a thin banner streaming, printed with some regal insignia with messages of great import entrusted to his care.” After the war, he found work first as a printer and then as an itinerant reader – one who went to small towns in Texas reading newspapers from around the world in saloons, lodges and meeting halls where people would pay a dime to hear…

Two devoted friends and brilliant minds — John Adams and Thomas Jefferson — fell out with each other over politics, personal slights and both feeling betrayed by the other. The feud not only embittered both, causing them to abandon all correspondence and relationship of any kind for many years, but divided friends and admirers. What a loss to the country. In 1809 a mutual signer of the Declaration of Independence, Dr. Benjamin Rush, had a dream about the two former Presidents, wrote it down, and sent it to both men. In the dream he saw the alienated statesmen renew their friendship and begin corresponding with each other. John Adams, again…

Jonathan Swift’s satirical response to the plight of the Irish people after decades of poverty and abuse shocked the sensibilities of the 18th century. His solution in “A Modest Proposal” to the problem of children begging and starving was obvious and simple: Eat them. “I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled; and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricasie, or a ragoust.” Even as satire, how could anyone propose such a thing? Recently,…

After years of pursuing high impact philanthropy and broad systemic change this is a time for many to resist being swept away by the enormity of the effects of the pandemic or discouraged by the relatively little we can do while confined to our homes and essential activities. While some, like Bill and Melinda Gates, have taken a global perspective, others have focused on the impact this will have on our national economy and the work of local philanthropy and non-profits. Some of the more optimistic see a sharp rebound back to normal while many are looking at a recovery that includes a serious recession and a five year timeline.…

Much of the controversy around immigration lately is how many of the decisions are swayed by whether or not the migrant is bringing talent that will benefit the country or is simply a drain on already stretched resources. This is not a new issue. Thousands of years ago, the leader of Babylonia, Nebuchadnezzar, carried off 10,000 of the defeated Hebrews into exile. He did not take everyone – only the military commanders, craftsmen, artists and educated. He carefully selected the best of the society and left the poorest to fend for themselves.  Those taken were not going as slaves but were relocated there to serve in government, business, and culture.…

It’s a familiar scene made even more so by movies and novels: the reading of the last will and testament. The somber family is seated quietly around the table in the law office. The attorney reaches down into his briefcase and pulls out the file. He puts on his glasses, clears his throat and starts slowly reading the wishes of the deceased. Of course, in the back of every mind is the obvious question, “How much did he leave me?” It’s not unnatural or even greedy. It’s pretty normal behavior. Everyone has some vague notion or hope, and then the attorney says, “Your father left a sprinkling trust” and closes…

When we moved to Tyler from New York I had lived for many years away from where I grew up. In fact, after leaving for school I never returned as my parents soon moved as well and their new home in Dallas never really was that for me. Moving around frequently became normal and I had accommodated myself to it. In fact, I had difficulty understanding those who chose for whatever reasons to stay in one place for most of their lives. I would not have called myself a drifter or a loner but I was rootless and unattached. I made friends easily but only temporarily. David Goodhart in his…

One of the most watched events of this century was Nik Wallenda’s tightrope walk across Niagara Falls. In so doing he became the first person to walk over the falls in 116 years and the first ever to walk right over the falls. If you saw it you probably remember the mist-obscured image of his dropping to one knee, fist-pumping, and then running to the end of the rope into the arms of his family. It was an astounding moment of personal victory. I’ve not seen any leadership books so far based on Wallenda’s feat. Why not a best-seller titled “Five Keys to Walking An Organization Across Niagara Falls”? I…