In a world that often rewards volume over value, it can feel like there’s no room for the quiet ones, the sensitive ones, the people who pause before responding and feel everything a little more deeply. But what if those very traits are exactly what the world needs most right now? As a highly sensitive […]
Sensitivity Is Not a Flaw: How Highly Sensitive People Can Thrive in a Loud World Read More »
In this episode of Decoding the Unicorn: The Podcast, let’s turn down the noise and tune into something far more radical: rest. 💤 Downtime isn’t laziness—it’s medicine. Whether you’re a sensitive soul, a creative powerhouse, or just someone trying to keep up with the chaos of modern life, rest is not optional. It heals. It
DTU The Podcast – Episode 13: The Power of Rest: When Doing Nothing Is Everything Read More »
Most world leaders stay behind podiums. Dag Hammarskjöld traveled the globe. As Secretary-General of the United Nations, Dag didn’t wait for peace to come to him—he went to it. From the Middle East to Asia to Africa, he traveled the globe during some of the most volatile moments of the 20th century. While others gave
The Peacemaker in Motion: Dag Hammarskjöld Takes the World Stage Read More »
In the process of researching and writing my next nonfiction project, Simply Dag, I’ve arrived in September of 1960—the beginning of Dag Hammarskjöld’s final year. And . . . damn . . . it’s a lot. Because for me, this isn’t just research. This isn’t a polite distance. When you care about someone—when he’s not
Writing the Final Year Read More »
Active Listening in Leadership: Dag Hammarskjöld’s Quiet Power In a world addicted to speed, response, and constant interruption, listening has become a lost art. True active listening — the kind that requires presence, patience, and humility — is rare. But for Dag Hammarskjöld, it was central to how he led, mediated, and fostered trust.
The Listener’s Edge: What Dag Hammarskjöld Taught Us About Active Listening Read More »
The bane of any introvert’s work existence: groupthink. Managers may imagine it’s cozy and convenient . . . but it can be catastrophic. Key thoughts: ✔️ Dag pushed against groupthink and cult-like tactics. ✔️ There has to be a “solution” better than “everyone takes the talking stick during the meeting.” 😖 ✔️ We can learn
DTU the Podcast: Episode 12 – Groupthink Read More »
In a world that often feels overrun by noise, crisis, and performative leadership, we long for examples of quiet strength. We want to know that it’s still possible to lead with purpose instead of ego. That sincerity still holds weight. And that’s why Dag Hammarskjöld still matters. A Quiet Force in a Loud World Dag
A Candle in the Dark: Why Dag Hammarskjöld Still Inspires in Uncertain Times Read More »
In 1953, Dag Hammarskjöld arrived in New York to begin his role as Secretary-General of the United Nations. He walked into a storm. The Cold War was escalating. The Soviet Union had denounced his predecessor, Trygve Lie. The UN was fractured, struggling, and riddled with dysfunction. Many questioned whether this quiet Swedish economist—unknown to most
Into the Fire: Dag Hammarskjöld’s Arrival at the UN Read More »
. . . That Adults Might Need to Hear, Too When I first started writing How to Host a Unicorn, I thought I was making a one-off book playfully (and absurdly) based on Dag’s real-life meeting with Nikita Khrushchev at Sochi. In almost no time, I realized that there was room for a Dag the
What I’ve Learned from Writing for Kids Read More »
On the night of September 17, 1961, Dag Hammarskjöld boarded a plane for what would become his final mission. As Secretary-General of the United Nations, Hammarskjöld was traveling to Ndola (in what is now Zambia), hoping to negotiate peace during the Congo Crisis—a fraught and deeply complex conflict that had drawn in Cold War superpowers.
The Final Flight: Reflecting on Dag Hammarskjöld’s Tragic Death and Enduring Legacy Read More »