Heya! I’m Bernie.

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Helping Leaders Grow and Thrive.

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From the Blog

The Hobbit Leadership Blog
I Can See Clearly Now
I Can See Clearly Now

After a recent eye-surgery, I really do believe this science stuff should be funded (and listened to).

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Sarahsville, Ohio
Sarahsville, Ohio

“The past is our definition. We may strive, with good reason, to escape it, or to escape what is bad in it. But we will escape it only by adding something better to it.”

Wendall Berry

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The Illusion of Being Impressive
The Illusion of Being Impressive

How to be truly impressive — not simply living with the fake land of performative greatness.

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Small Things, Great Love
Lead From the Back
Small Things, Great Love
Lead From the Back

A bit of a theological reflection which applies to an everyday leadership context.

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Lead From the Back
When Leadership Becomes Toxic—How to Recognize and Resist It
When Leadership Becomes Toxic—How to Recognize and Resist It

Toxic leadership isn't always easy to define. It is easy enough to recognize. You know it when you see it. Here's a helpful framework to know when you might be swimming in dangerous waters.

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Unbowed and Generative: Wangarĩ Maathai’s Radical Approach to Leadership That Outlasts Power
Unbowed and Generative: Wangarĩ Maathai’s Radical Approach to Leadership That Outlasts Power

Leadership is generative and transformative. When it’s not, it runs the danger of being toxic. Here’s a huge part of why 70% of Americans are dissatisfied with their work.

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I publish an essay about leadership and creativity every Sunday morning.

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View fullsize We don’t persuade by shouting. Ethos first. Then reasons. Then feelings. Rhetoric is important. We must learn to do better. New Good Dirt: The Runway of Persuasion. Link in bio.
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View fullsize The smallest things are waiting to be seen. You’re doing better than you think. “Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them.” — Eeyore #GoodDirt #PoohWisdom #ForestFloor #HiddenBeauty #MossAndMushrooms #YoureDoingBetter
View fullsize A few early thoughts from this week's Good Dirt essay. (Subscribe with link in bio.) I don’t remember what we had for lunch that day. I don’t remember what we were supposed to be doing. But I remember the mud, the creek, and my dad beside
View fullsize This is @ronswansonthebulldog and I went on a hike. I just thought you should see how happy he is.
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View fullsize Finishing up two weeks in Thailand working with some of the most amazing people working in cross-cultural development with @newinternational_org. Local business development, agricultural work with hill tribes, anti-human trafficking work, serving you
View fullsize There once was a dog that people called Ernie. A bulldog rescue on Orangeburg, SC posted his picture online. When We saw the photo we both immediately knew this guy is supposed to be a part of our family. On this day —- 9 years ago — we
View fullsize “To love a place is not enough. We must find ways to heal it.” From #braidingsweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer (I think this is the official Insta-handle. But not sure: @braidingsweetgrassbook) Here’s my holiday weekend photo dump

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