kakief

[kakief]

The Change Story That Was “Too Late”—Until It Wasn’t

A story about listening, leadership, and the courage to start mid-race. I walked into the initiative feeling like I’d joined a race already halfway through—but no one had handed me a map. The change strategy and communications approach had just been unveiled, but something important was missing: a story. Not a slide deck. Not a mission statement. A real story—one that could anchor people, help…

[kakief]

What the Cracked Pot Can Teach Us About Leadership: A Business Parable

Every morning, a water bearer carried two large clay pots, suspended from a yoke across their shoulders. Each day, they made the same winding journey from the stream back to the village. Even what’s broken can bring beauty to the path. One of the pots was flawless—smooth, symmetrical, and dependable. It always delivered a full portion of water. The other pot was cracked. Along the path, it leaked…

[kakief]

The Village of the Unasked Questions: A Parable for Curious Leaders

In a quiet village nestled between two mountains, there lived a leader named Mira. She was wise, respected, and always had answers. But over time, something strange began to happen: the village grew silent. Ideas stopped flowing, innovations stalled, and even laughter faded. Curiosity lights the way—one question can illuminate an entire village. Mira visited the oldest elder, who listened…

[kakief]

Echoes of Jamokie: Grief, Gratitude, and 18½ Years of Joy

This morning, after my executive networking coffee meeting, I got into my car and felt it—a gut-wrenching emptiness that washed over me, my heart sunk. Turning the key, I realized that for the first time in 18½ years, I was driving home to a quiet, empty house. Yesterday, we said goodbye to Jamokie, our beloved dog. And today, the silence feels too loud. The house isn’t just still; it is missing…

[kakief]

Creativity Needs a Plan: The Strategy Behind the Spark

A few years ago, I was working with a team on a major initiative that had completely lost momentum. We were months in—stuck between shifting priorities and decision fatigue. The energy was gone, and so was the clarity. Creativity is often the spark—but it takes strategy to turn it into something lasting. ✨⚡ We needed something different. Not just a new idea—a new way of showing up. So we did…

[kakief]

Why Artists Are Turning to Code for Stillness | The Way of Code & Generative Art

A still from the interactive response to the prompt “What if it was weightless?” — where sound, motion, and silence become an invitation to simply be. We often think of coding as something reserved for engineers—a world of syntax, logic, and technical skill. But with tools like artificial intelligence, the doors are opening. Today, even those of us who don’t identify as coders can explore…

[kakief]

A Quiet Question That Changed How I Lead My Life

A quiet morning moment with coffee, journaling, and natural light—creating space to reflect and reconnect. Years ago, I had a leader who did something I’ll always respect: He brought in someone to help us grow—not just as professionals, but as people. Every so often, my boss would bring in Doug Lennick, a respected leadership coach and author, to lead workshops with our team. Doug didn’t just…

[kakief]

The Future is AI: Are We Preparing Students or Holding Them Back?

This week, a college student made national news after confronting a professor who used ChatGPT to provide grading feedback. Their frustration? “If we’re not allowed to use it, why should you?” The story quickly evolved into a broader debate—centered on cheating, fairness, and academic integrity. Commentators weighed in, warning that tools like ChatGPT would erode student accountability or replace…

[kakief]

The Secret Sauce of Successful Change? Communication That Connects

In the kitchen of organizational change, strategy, structure, and systems are the ingredients. But if there’s one element that pulls it all together—the secret sauce that transforms a plan into progress—it’s communication that connects. The secret sauce of change isn’t just process—it’s communication, trust, clarity, and connection blended with intention. Over my career, I’ve supported change…

[kakief]

AI Isn't the Enemy—It's the Invitation

Choosing curiosity over fear—AI isn’t the enemy, it’s an invitation to explore. Why Resistance is Normal and What to Do About It A few months ago, I was on a call with a colleague when I mentioned how I used AI to organize my notes, prep a workshop outline, and generate ideas for a difficult stakeholder conversation. She paused, narrowed her eyes, and said:     “I don’t know, Kakie. I just don’t…

[kakief]

Too Much Change, Too Fast: A Smarter Way Forward

Imagine a workforce grappling with not just one, but multiple significant transformations—new systems, new structures, and new expectations—all at once. In today’s fast-paced business landscape, that scenario is no longer an exception, it’s the norm. But when change accumulates faster than people can absorb it, we reach a tipping point called change saturation—a state where productivity declines,…

[kakief]

From Resistance to Resilience: Rewriting the First Draft of Change

From Resistance to Collaboration: The Human Side of Change Ever notice how the first draft of anything—whether it’s a blog post or a major organizational shift—rarely resembles the final version? It’s raw, messy, and often riddled with self-doubt. Author Anne Lamott coined the term “Shitty First Drafts” in her classic book on writing, Bird by Bird, encouraging writers to embrace the mess as a…

[kakief]

Is Artificial Intelligence (AI) Ruining the Planet—or Saving It?

AI’s Double-Edged Impact: Innovation or Environmental Cost? Have you heard someone say, “AI is destroying the environment” or “Only tech giants can afford to use it”? You’re not alone. These sound bites are making the rounds—and while they come from real concerns, they don’t tell the whole story. I’ve been doing some digging. And what I found was surprising, even to me: AI is actually getting a…

[kakief]

AI Is Everywhere—But Are We Really Talking About It?

A Moment That Made Me Pause Not long ago, I led an Artificial Intelligence (AI) workshop with a group of executives. As expected, some had technical questions about AI’s practical applications in business. But what surprised me were the personal angles—leaders wondering how AI might change education for their kids, whether it would impact job security for their teams, or even how it might shift…

[kakief]

Building Sustainable Change: What Leaders Need to Know

Organizational change is a constant in today’s dynamic landscape. Whether driven by technological advancements, evolving market demands, or internal strategic shifts, the ability of an organization to adapt and thrive hinges on the successful adoption and long-term sustainability of these changes. However, the path to successful change isn’t always smooth. Several interconnected factors can…

[kakief]

Pay Attention to the Signs: What Leadership can Learn from a Sidewalk Closure

We’re often so focused on where we’re headed, we forget to question if the path is still right. The sign may be obvious—but clarity only helps when we take the time to notice it. Have you ever walked straight toward a warning sign, certain the path was still open—until you found it wasn’t? There’s something symbolic about a sidewalk that looks open but has a sign clearly telling you otherwise. It…

[kakief]

Ten Ways Transparent Leaders Earn Trust - And Results

“Trust is built on telling the truth, not telling people what they want to hear”  – Simon Sinek Business leaders collaborate around a digital globe, symbolizing the global importance of trust, open communication, and transparency in modern organizations. Have you ever been part of an organization where important decisions were made behind closed doors – and you only found out after the fact? If…