Leadership isn’t always loud and diplomacy isn’t always flashy. Dag Hammarskjöld, the second Secretary-General of the United Nations, was a man who brought gravitas and soul to international diplomacy—not through grandstanding, but through quiet resolve. His time in office from 1953 until his death in 1961 marked a pivotal chapter in UN history. It wasn’t […]
Dag Hammarskjöld: Shaping the UN During the Cold War Read More »
In this episode of Decoding the Unicorn: The Podcast, I’ll dive into the classic novel The Ugly American and its portrayal of American “diplomacy” abroad during the Cold War. The book may have been published in 1958, but its message about cultural insensitivity and the failure to understand local customs still resonates today. I’ll also
Why Dag Hammarskjöld Believed Power Meant Responsibility Leadership isn’t about power plays, personal glory, or dominating boardrooms with loud volume and bravado. At least, it wasn’t for Dag Hammarskjöld. As the second Secretary-General of the United Nations, Hammarskjöld redefined what it meant to hold power. He didn’t wield authority for its own sake or chase
Leadership as Service Read More »
Before he carried the weight of the world, Dag Hammarskjöld was a quiet boy growing up in Sweden. Surrounded by forests, books, and the heavy expectations of family legacy, Dag’s childhood shaped the man he would become: a leader unlike any other. In this video, we explore Hammarskjöld’s early life at Uppsala Castle, his love
The Making of a Unicorn: Dag Hammarskjöld’s Early Years Read More »
Decoding the Unicorn, my biography of Dag Hammarskjöld, has been honored with a BookFest Award. It’s a moment that feels both humbling and affirming. This book is more than a biography. Yes, it’s the result of research and reflection, but also what I can only describe as a collaboration across time and space with Dag
Decoding the Unicorn has been honored with a BookFest Award! Read More »
What CEOs Can Learn from a UN Secretary-General: Dag Hammarskjöld’s Leadership Lessons for Business When most CEOs think about leadership models, they probably don’t imagine a Swedish diplomat walking the marble corridors of the United Nations, quietly rewriting the playbook on global governance. (In the 1950s!) But Dag Hammarskjöld, the second Secretary-General of the UN,
What CEOs Can Learn from Dag Hammarskjöld Read More »
Decoding the Unicorn: The Podcast – Episode 8 – Recognition, Appreciation, & Gratitude in the Workplace with Special Guest Erika Migliaccio In this episode, I sat down with the Founder & Principal Consultant at Upstream HR Strategies Erika Migliaccio to explore the powerful trio of recognition, appreciation, and gratitude in the workplace. Why do so
In 1961, a plane crashed in the African night. On board was a man few people today recognize—yet his legacy still ripples through history. He wasn’t a president or a prime minister. He didn’t seek power or fame. But he led the United Nations with unmatched courage, integrity, and quiet strength. This is the beginning
Who Was Dag Hammarskjöld? Why Should You Care? Read More »
Leadership Through Reflection: What Modern Executives Can Learn from Markings What if the best leadership advice wasn’t found in corporate manuals or TED Talks but in one’s own gentle reflections? Dag Hammarskjöld, the second Secretary-General of the United Nations, is often remembered for his diplomacy, courage, and tragic death in service to peace. But for
What Modern Executives Can Learn from Markings Read More »
This content was published in The Unicorn Dispatch on April 9, 2025. Tonight’s Unicorn Dispatch brings a peek behind the curtain of two very different but beloved projects—one steeped in quiet wisdom, the other brimming with silly charm. Both are moving forward, and I wanted to share a little of what’s unfolding. ✨ Simply Dag
Dispatch from the Writing Desk: Dag, Unicorns, and What’s Next Read More »