Notes from the road

Writing on resilience, grief and starting again.

Short essays, published every other week. No newsletter gate, no fluff.

16 September 20265 min read

What is resilience, really? A working definition for people tired of the word

Resilience is not bouncing back. It is the capacity to keep choosing a next step while the old plan is still in pieces. It is a practice you build under load, not a personality trait you either have or lack.

9 September 20267 min read

How to start over after a major loss: a step-by-step guide

Start by separating what must be decided now from what can wait a year. In the first months, make only reversible decisions, protect sleep and routine, and accept help specifically.

2 September 20266 min read

Mile 18: why the middle of every hard thing is where people quit

Most attrition happens in the middle, not at the start or the finish. The start has excitement and the finish has visible reward; the middle has neither.

26 August 20266 min read

How leaders can support a grieving employee without making it worse

Say the person's name, be specific with offers, and protect the return to work. What actually helps, what to stop saying, and how to write a policy that treats grief as the operational reality it is.

19 August 20265 min read

Growth mindset vs. resilience: what's the difference?

Growth mindset is a belief about ability. Resilience is a capacity under load. They are related but not interchangeable, and the difference decides which training your team actually needs.

12 August 20266 min read

How to rebuild confidence after a career failure

Failure is a data point about choices, not a verdict about you. A four-part reset for leaders who got knocked down publicly and have to walk back into the building.