Dag Hammarskjöld’s Early Life: The Childhood of a Swedish Diplomat Before he walked the halls of the United Nations and made history as one of the most respected Secretary-Generals the world has ever known, Dag Hammarskjöld was a boy with a vivid imagination and a deep love for nature. In this post, I’ll explore […]
A Swedish Unicorn Arrives Read More »
The thing is: Even though Dag’s tactics didn’t meet every goal every time, they still accomplished very much indeed, especially given what Dag was up against. And this didn’t happen via shouting, stomping around, refusing to meet people where they were, incessant bragging, gossiping to the media, etc. Corporate America is still heavily skewed in
“Ideas have endurance without death.” Read More »
This content was published in The Unicorn Dispatch on March 19, 2025. When we think about hospitality, we often picture warm welcomes, cozy accommodations, and the kind of effortless grace that makes a guest feel comfortable. But what happens when that hospitality is more about spectacle than sincerity? As I was writing a scene for Simply
How to Host a Unicorn 🦄 Read More »
In this episode, I’m joined by Founder & CEO of Grapevine Software, Zach Wright. Key topics: ✔️ The news stories telling us that remote work is dead, RTO is king, and that all employees now somehow prefer hybrid arrangements. 🤔 Is this true? ✔️ Dag believed that leadership was about service, not status. In a fully
There are days when the to-do list is filled not with lofty goals or dazzling inspiration, but with simple, grounded tasks: walking the dog, cooking dinner, cleaning the house, folding laundry, answering a few emails. These days can feel small but they are not devoid of meaning. Dag Hammarskjöld believed that love was best expressed
Duty & Care = Love in Action: What Dag Hammarskjöld Can Teach Us About Compassion Read More »
In the Western world, leadership is often associated with extroversion. “Charismatic” speakers, big personalities, and those who command a room tend to be the ones who climb the ladder the fastest. But what happens when we overlook the power of quiet leadership?Dag Hammarskjöld, the second Secretary-General of the United Nations, was the epitome of a
The Top 5 Ways Businesses Favor Extrovert Leaders – and How We Can Push Back Read More »
There’s a common misconception that introverts are shy, and that shyness is synonymous with introversion. This misunderstanding often leads to false assumptions about people’s personalities and social capabilities. However, introversion and shyness are two entirely different traits. While they can coexist, they are not interchangeable, and understanding this distinction is key to appreciating the diverse
Introversion ≠ Shyness! Read More »
aka: TTW Dag met all 4,000 employees at the UN. When Dag Hammarskjöld became Secretary-General of the United Nations, he did something that no one expected—he took the time to meet every single UN staff member, from the basement to the top floor. That’s over 4,000 people. Individually! This wasn’t a publicity stunt. It wasn’t
Sometimes, the best ideas come out of nowhere. They just show up—like an unexpected guest who rings your doorbell with a mischievous smile, holding a suitcase full of magic. You can either overanalyze, stress over logistics, and let the moment pass, or you can throw open the door and say, “Okay. Let’s go on an
Saying Yes to the Creative Impulse 🦄 Read More »
In today’s world—whether in politics, corporate boardrooms, or international affairs—diplomacy is an essential skill. Few leaders have exemplified the art of negotiation better than Dag Hammarskjöld, the second Secretary-General of the United Nations. His approach wasn’t about power plays or coercion; it was about strategy, patience, and an unshakable moral compass. Simply Dag, my upcoming
Leadership Lessons from Dag Hammarskjöld: The Art of High-Stakes Diplomacy Read More »