We shall walk together on this path of life, for all things are a part of the universe, and are connected with each other to form one whole unity. --Maria Montessori
Welcome to Like A River.
In my 30 years of professional life, I’ve met wonderful human beings who have joined me in portions or all of that journey. My hope for this blog is to hold space to celebrate our connection as learners, thinkers, and listeners.
Why a River?
When I began my career, it was as an associate attorney at a large law firm. Although the firm employed more than 120 lawyers then, the women numbered around 10. To its credit, the firm was (and still is) committed to creating a workplace where women thrive.
When I arrived, there were only three female partners in the firm. These were and are incredible women and fabulous human beings. These women broke ground by doing radical things, like leaving during the day to deliver a baby, returning just weeks later. They fought for and inspired change in the law firm. They mentored me and other women. They helped me navigate a law firm as a very young adult, and they inspired the partnership to change. In the end, practicing law was not the right fit for me. I was unhappy, and those same women (and many men) aided my transition into something else.
I remain in touch with friends who still call this firm home. They tell me that women have a larger space, more voice, that things have improved, and that there is still room for improvement in being a welcoming employer.
My work was possible because of the hard work of people, especially women, who came before me. I was part of that hard work while I was there. As new young adults join the practice, it is (hopefully) better for that work. I benefitted from those upstream and hopefully helped those downstream.
In the same manner, rivers change constantly, and the downstream river differs from the upstream river. Drops and droplets join the stream and move away from the stream in constant motion. Like humans, rivers run over rocks that are hard and bumpy and silt that is smooth and calm. When rivers meet rocks, they flow around them, and join together again further down the river. And when flowing together, water smooths out rock, creating soft sand and dirt. Even tame rivers reshape the contours of geology with oxbows, elbows, and falls. They find quiet meanders to rest and loud cascades for action.
Human beings are the same. Whether we are leaders, team members, or even an organization made up of many humans, each of us is a drop. But when each drop merges and flows together, we go places together. Our collective power is greater than any of us alone. Together, we can turn and adapt when things happen to us. And, we can quietly smooth out the rocks when things happen around us. We find soft places to rest and fast places to be loud. Every single bit of that is so much sweeter and more powerful when we do it together.
What You Might Find Here
Rivers sound a lot like what I want to contemplate here. From the frame of community and connection (to one another, to the continuum of time, and to the entire cosmos), this blog will explore connections. You might encounter resources, thoughts, and discussions that focus on:
· Organizational culture
· Leadership in independent schools
· Organizations in Transition
· Women in Leadership
· Montessori Leadership
I hope you’ll join me on this meander, leading together, learning together, changing together.
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