It was an absolute privilege to spend three days with Brené Brown and other smart driven powerful change-makers. And I walked into the training and shame was knocking at my door. Here is what she (my inner bully) said, “Don’t be too big. Don’t be too much. Don’t sit it front. Don’t complain. And for God’s sake, keep your artwork in your notebook. Don’t try and be liked. Don’t try and spread light. Just sit there are learn.”…

I walked in to my second home and the smell was familiar. The people were too. The stickiness on the ground was comforting although I don’t usually like the two-step my shoes take with sticky floors. I was walking into my morning office – Peets.

It’s my freshman year. I walk down the hall. I’m late. I hear my shoes echo. I’m heading into the classroom of my least favorite teacher of my first year in high school, Mrs. Smith. I knew about Mrs. Smith before I meet her.

I recently had the pleasure of presenting the value of Brené Brown’s work to a group of Executives at Salesforce. Everyone responded openly to share in the powerful social-emotional work from her latest book, “Dare to Lead.” Out of nowhere an incredible teaching moment hit me!

The Wall Street Journal has a section called Personal Board of Directors. Several top executives share their stories, along with their “most trusted advisors.” Who are your trusted advisors? Who is on your personal board of directors?

A year or so ago I helped a friend* take the courageous step in which they asked for positive reflections from friends, family, and colleagues. This was a huge leap for him. We called it ‘BIGlove.’ The remarkable response left the rest of the group open-hearted and believing in the importance of communicating our love...