Unless you regularly spend time around activists, one thing that might surprise you about activism is how many activists wish they weren't activists. Didn't plan to do it, don't want the gig, but feel compelled because no one else signed up. If not them, then who? I learned this (and quite a few other things) … Continue reading Why the Climate Crisis is an… Advertising Crisis?
A Simple Framework for Moral Leadership
I was watching the first round of the 2020 Democratic Presidential debates with friends recently, when one of them turned to ask me that fateful question: "Which candidate do you like the most?" It's an innocent, simple, yet immensely complex question. Particularly complex, because it leaves ample room for each of us to design our … Continue reading A Simple Framework for Moral Leadership
P4: A Modern Framework for Corporate Social Responsibility
Recently I've been spending a lot of time speaking with corporate social responsibility leaders, both at larger organizations as well as startups. Social responsibility today has parallels that remind me of social media in its early days: it's a tectonic shift in culture, it will reach every employee, has widespread organizational consequences, and it's going … Continue reading P4: A Modern Framework for Corporate Social Responsibility
On Changing the World vs. Making it Better
When I was a kid, I was fortunate to have parents and teachers who told me I could grow up and "change the world." Anything's possible - the only limits are your creativity and persistence (they never really tell you about the "luck" part). Wanting to change the world is what drives so many of … Continue reading On Changing the World vs. Making it Better
There’s Still Time
If you're like me you've already seen and heard a lot about next Tuesday's elections. You've probably been hearing about it for months. Years even. So you're only going to hear from Brightest and I about it once, here, with a quick note to say: there's still time. 1. There's still time to vote - … Continue reading There’s Still Time
How to Live & Lead a Rewarding Career (Podcast Interview)
Earlier this summmer I did an interview with David Nebinski for a new Seth Godin podcast fellowship project "Portfolio Career." In it, I shared my thoughts on what it means to have a rewarding career and how you might think about optimizing your pursuit of one. I also talk a little about my own career, … Continue reading How to Live & Lead a Rewarding Career (Podcast Interview)
What I’ve Learned So Far
I feel very fortunate to have had the personal freedom this year to work and create for myself. Across the board it's helped me focus on the commitments, projects and relationships that mean the most to me. Many don't get to have that independence, which speaks to some very fundamental problems with how we collectively … Continue reading What I’ve Learned So Far
How to Learn Strategy (When Everything is Strategic)
I happened to be on Quora the other night and noticed a poster asking the question: "What's the best way to learn strategy?" I thought it was a cool (and somewhat daunting) question, so I chimed in and wanted to share my answer here. It also occurred to me that learning strategic thinking has two … Continue reading How to Learn Strategy (When Everything is Strategic)
On Fascism, Identity, Cryptoassets and the Future of Censorship
Today, more people around the world have the ability to exchange ideas and value with one another than ever before. Yet even at this historic height of connectivity and interconnectedness, we live in increasingly complex and alarming times when it comes to free speech, trust and censorship. In the past week alone: The US Federal … Continue reading On Fascism, Identity, Cryptoassets and the Future of Censorship
What Happened When I Called Out 300 Russian Propaganda Trolls on Twitter
They make liberal use of cat photos and emojis, drape themselves in American flag iconography, and go by handles like "Saving America," "4GodandCountry," and "ROCK ON OHIO." And yesterday, scores of them started attacking me online. @ChrisBolman Check out this turd burglar must be sniffing the methane off his dildo's before he types his rants. … Continue reading What Happened When I Called Out 300 Russian Propaganda Trolls on Twitter