Books and Resources
Over the years, I had the opportunity to co-author several books, most centered around servant leadership, team learning, and helping people grow in meaningful ways. Each one reflects a season of my journey and the wisdom of those I was lucky enough to partner with.
BOOKS
Change happens to each of us everyday – often stirring fear, confusion, exhaustion, and uncertainty. Wisdom from the Woods is a powerful invitation to explore the life-changing benefits of making space to pause and reflect–encouraging your own path to healing and hope.Every loss, change, and challenge looks different. As does each personal journey. But, one thing is certain-our heads alone cannot solve the darkness, loneliness, anxiety, or fear. The stories of five courageous individuals in Wisdom from the Woods guide readers to open their heart in pursuit of their own truths and wisdom. This inner-work roadmap provides a beautiful balance between being and doing…inspiration and action…space for silence and listening to one’s heart and structure for disciplined follow through. Where soul searching meets an all-out strategic focus on connecting the mind with the heart.This mix of energy is essential to exploration and heart work. And, when it gets really tough or exhausting (which it will at times) we want readers to know we’re holding their hand as they discover and create their own story of healing and hope.
Revealing the flaws in old time-management practices, the authors of You Don’t Have to Go Home From Work Exhausted! offer tips on identifying personal style, accentuating strengths, prioritizing, and reclaiming time.
Are you constantly running out of time? Do you typically juggle several projects at once? Do you procrastinate and push deadlines? Do you find you have no time left for family, friends, hobbies . . . yourself?
Here is the book that all of us creative, inspired, but hopelessly disorganized types have been waiting for.
Forget the old rules of time management that have failed you in the past. This practical and professionally proven approach—based on the latest research on brain function and stress reduction—helps you create your own nonsystem that works for you. What’s more, you’ll have more time than ever before for what’s really important in your life . . . living.
Are you tired of being tired?
Do you find yourself dragging out of bed each morning and dragging yourself to work? Do you come home at night and collapse in front of the TV? Do you feel as though your job is your life… or your life is a job?
Here’s your personal power pack!
Plug into this action resource and discover how to recharge your batteries at a moment’s notice. This practical, one-of-a-kind program is based on fascinating new research – from brain science to stress reduction – and has been tested extensively by the author’s leading corporate clients. Open to any page and you’ll find a wealth of creative ideas and strategies that can help turn your life around.
Many people move through life believing that genius belongs to a rare and gifted few—when in reality, it often lies dormant, unnoticed, or slowly silenced by systems that reward conformity over curiosity. In Awaken Your Sleeping Genius, Ann McGee-Cooper challenges narrow definitions of intelligence and success, inviting readers to rediscover their natural gifts, creativity, and capacity for meaningful contribution.
Drawing from decades of research, personal experience, and her work with gifted adults and servant leaders, Ann reframes genius as something inherently human—something that emerges when people are seen, encouraged, and allowed to think differently. This free downloadable book explores how self-awareness, energy, purpose, and environment shape whether genius is expressed or suppressed. A powerful invitation to stop living by borrowed expectations and begin cultivating the unique brilliance that already exists within you.
It was a simple idea. Get a diverse group of local organizations practicing servant leadership together and learn from one another’s journeys. twelve years ago, Ann McGee-Cooper and Associates invited nine Dallas organizations to form a learning community to share the successes and challenges of creating servant-led organizations.
In this book you will find inspiring snapshots of servant-leaders in action and learn how you can design a servant leadership learning group in your community, how you can create a lasting partnership with other organizations, how you can apply servant leadership to produce results in tough work places like police departments, how you can avoid rollouts and use a tipping point strategy to create a servant-led culture for thousands of employees, and how servant leadership can prevail even when disgruntled employees attempt to oust a leader.
And, as an added bonus, step with us behind the scenes of Southwest Airlines for an inside peek at the innovative Culture Committee, led by President Colleen Barrett. You will learn seven elements of her servant leadership that can be used immediately to strengthen your organization
Are you the type of person who wants to grow and help others reach more of their potential? Do you want to be the very best version of yourself as a leader, family member, professional, and coach? Have there been people of influence in your life who have helped you achieve more than you thought possible? Then The Art of Coaching for Servant Leadership is for you! The three authors, Ann McGee-Cooper, Ed.D, Deborah Welch, Ph.D, and Duane Trammell, M.Ed. have been recognized for their work in servant leadership, coaching, and teaching.
They have creatively written a book in dialogue form, inviting many professionals into the conversation about how a servant leadership approach to coaching will activate people’s gifts and strengths. They use stories to make connections, share lessons, and navigate through difficult experiences. One helpful take-away from the book is the “Coaching with a Servant’s Heart” model. It describes what servant leadership coaching IS and IS NOT through interrelated areas of the inner work of a coach, the foundation of trust through relationships, and mutual learning through partners. In addition to author stories, there are twelve contributors who share their experiences from having participated in servant leadership coaching.
They offer their own personal insights about how growing as a servant-leader can be a liberating experience resulting in engagement, energy, meaning at work, and enhanced capacities. The 140 page book offers deep insight for those wanting to take the “next step” with understanding the inner journey of servant leadership and bringing out the best in others.
As organizations face accelerating change, complexity, and declining trust, many traditional leadership models are proving insufficient.
The Essentials of Servant Leadership offers a clear and grounded alternative. In this foundational work, Ann McGee-Cooper and Duane Trammell trace the roots of servant leadership through Robert K. Greenleaf’s philosophy and show how it comes alive in real organizations facing real pressure.
Blending theory, lived experience, and powerful case studies—including TDIndustries, Southwest Airlines, and the Parkland Hospital project—the book illustrates how servant leadership builds trust, awakens collective intelligence, and creates cultures where people choose accountability, collaboration, and shared ownership. More than an idea, this guide translates servant leadership into practical principles leaders can apply immediately to grow people, strengthen community, and achieve sustainable performance.
Articles
We have written many powerful pieces that can be helpful for you. They are free to read or download.
Accountability as Covenant: The Taproot of Servant Leadership
by Ann McGee-Cooper & Duane Trammell
What if accountability wasn’t about control, monitoring, or punishment—but about shared commitment, trust, and growth?
This foundational article reframes accountability as a covenant, not a contract—shifting leadership from top-down enforcement to mutual responsibility grounded in shared vision, values, and purpose. Through real-world examples and deep insight into servant leadership, the authors reveal how true accountability fuels ownership, collaboration, and collective intelligence.
A must-read for leaders ready to move from managing people to mentoring human potential.
Am I Too Busy to Lead?
by Steve Parker
In the constant rush of emails, meetings, and short-term problem solving, it’s easy for leaders to unintentionally signal that they’re too busy for people. In this reflective and practical piece, Steve Parker explores a hard question many leaders quietly avoid: when does managing crowd out leading? Drawing from real experience, he shows how slowing down, creating space for dialogue, and intentionally investing in people multiplies impact, builds trust, and restores energy. A grounded reminder that leadership isn’t about doing more—it’s about choosing to lead first.
Applying the HBDI® to Servant Leadership
by Ann McGee-Cooper & Duane Trammell
Servant leadership doesn’t belong to one personality type—it emerges from how each of us chooses to use our natural strengths. In this thoughtful and practical article, Ann McGee-Cooper and Duane Trammell explore how whole-brained thinking, through the HBDI®, deepens our understanding of servant leadership across all four quadrants. By examining how A, B, C, and D dominant leaders can each serve authentically, the article reveals that leadership is less about style and more about intention. A powerful reminder that leaderful organizations grow when diverse ways of thinking are respected, integrated, and aligned toward serving the greater good.
Are Your Taillights Flashing? Discovering the Shadow of Each HBDI® Quadrant
by Duane Trammell
Our greatest strengths can quietly become our biggest liabilities—especially under pressure. In this insightful and often disarming article, Duane Trammell explores the “shadow side” of each HBDI® quadrant, revealing how overplayed talents can unintentionally undermine leadership and relationships. Through story, humor, and deep self-awareness, readers are invited to notice when their “taillights are flashing” and to reclaim balance, humility, and effectiveness. A compelling reminder that servant leadership begins with the courage to see ourselves clearly and to grow from what we find.
Brain Engineering and Changing Your Self-Talk
by Ann McGee-Cooper & Duane Trammell
The way we talk to ourselves shapes our energy, focus, and performance far more than most leaders realize. In this practical and science-informed article, Ann McGee-Cooper and Duane Trammell introduce “brain engineering”—applying insights from neuroscience, learning theory, and human potential to everyday leadership challenges. Through simple reframing techniques and real-world examples, they show how shifting self-talk from “have to” and “should” into conscious choice can reduce burnout, increase productivity, and restore personal energy. A clear reminder that sustainable leadership begins with awareness of the conversations happening inside our own minds
Calling and HBDI®: Finding Meaning Through How We’re Wired
by Duane Trammell
Why do some people feel a deep sense of calling while others struggle to name it—even after years of meaningful work? In this thoughtful and honest article, Duane Trammell explores the concept of calling through the lens of the HBDI®, showing how different brain dominances experience purpose in very different ways. By bridging servant leadership, flow, and whole-brained thinking, the article normalizes both the “called” and the “uncertain,” offering practical questions and reflections to help leaders discover fulfillment without forcing a single definition of purpose. A compassionate reminder that calling isn’t something you copy—it’s something you uncover, in your own way
Change: Dancing with Uncertainty
by Duane Trammell
Change is inevitable—but how we respond to it determines whether we grow or become stuck. In this deeply personal and thoughtful article, Duane Trammell reflects on change through history, leadership, loss, and lived experience, inviting readers to rethink their relationship with uncertainty. Drawing on servant leadership, the HBDI®, and the emotional, physical, and spiritual dimensions of change, he explores why certainty can be seductive—and why learning to “dance with uncertainty” may be one of the most important leadership skills we can develop. A compassionate exploration of change as a cycle, a teacher, and an invitation to turn disruption into opportunity.
Dialogue: The Power of Understanding
by Ann McGee-Cooper & Duane Trammell
In an era of fast change and strong opinions, many teams confuse discussion or debate with true understanding. In this foundational article, Ann McGee-Cooper and Duane Trammell explore dialogue as a servant-leadership practice that moves groups beyond winning arguments toward shared meaning. By learning to park ego, ask better questions, and create a safe “container” for differing perspectives, leaders can unlock collective intelligence and build trust across differences. A practical guide for leaders who want to replace polarization with insight, collaboration, and wiser decisions
Dialogue and HBDI®: Dialoguing from the Four Quadrants
by Duane Trammell
Why does dialogue feel energizing to some and frustrating or unproductive to others? In this insightful article, Duane Trammell explores how our HBDI® brain preferences shape the way we experience and contribute to dialogue. By examining how each quadrant listens, speaks, and finds meaning in conversation, the article helps leaders understand common dialogue disconnects and unlock deeper collective intelligence. A practical guide for creating dialogue that honors differences, reduces frustration, and turns diverse perspectives into wiser decisions.
Unleashing Organizational Talent through Servant Leadership and Discretionary Performance
by Mike Blevins
Most organizations get the performance they expect—but servant-led organizations unlock far more than the minimum. In this compelling article, Mike Blevins explores the concept of discretionary performance: the extra effort people choose to give when they feel trusted, valued, and engaged. Drawing from real-world leadership experience and research, he shows how servant leadership creates the conditions for employees to move from average to extraordinary contribution. A clear and persuasive case for why trust, meaning, and leadership culture are not “soft” ideas, but powerful drivers of sustained performance
Gossip as a Corporate Sport
by Ann McGee-Cooper, Ed.D.
Gossip thrives in environments of uncertainty, anxiety, and lack of trust—but its cost to organizations is often underestimated. In this direct and insightful article, Ann McGee-Cooper explores why gossip becomes a coping mechanism during times of change and how it quietly erodes trust, safety, and partnership at work. By unpacking the emotional drivers behind gossip and offering practical ways to interrupt it, the article challenges leaders to take responsibility for creating healthier, more transparent cultures. A timely reminder that courage, clarity, and dialogue—not rumor—are the foundations of strong teams.
History of Research on Genius
by Ann McGee-Cooper, Ed.D.
What if genius isn’t rare—but simply unrecognized, unsupported, or discouraged? In this deeply personal and illuminating article, Ann McGee-Cooper traces decades of research, lived experience, and leadership practice to explore how genius emerges, why it is often suppressed, and what helps it flourish. Weaving together education, creativity, servant leadership, and calling, she challenges the myth that genius belongs only to a gifted few. A powerful invitation for leaders, educators, and parents to recognize potential early, honor individuality, and create environments where people are encouraged to live into their unique gifts.
Hurry Sickness: An Epidemic in Our Workplace
by Ann McGee-Cooper, Ed.D. & Duane Trammell
Many leaders pride themselves on speed, efficiency, and constant motion—without realizing the hidden cost. In this eye-opening article, Ann McGee-Cooper and Duane Trammell explore “hurry sickness” as a learned behavior that quietly undermines health, relationships, judgment, and long-term effectiveness. Blending neuroscience, leadership insight, and everyday examples, they reveal how chronic urgency blocks trust, creativity, and presence. A powerful invitation for leaders to rethink pace, reclaim balance, and rediscover that sustainable leadership requires more than just going faster—it requires knowing when to slow down.
If You Have to Hold People Accountable… You’ve Already Lost
by Mike Blevins
Accountability is one of the most powerful—and most misunderstood—words in leadership. In this clear and provocative article, Mike Blevins challenges the common notion that leaders can or should “hold” others accountable. Instead, he reframes accountability as a state of being—self-reporting, self-correcting, and rooted in trust. Drawing from real-world experience and Just Culture principles, the article shows how discipline, reinforcement, and shared expectations create environments where people choose accountability rather than fear it. A compelling case for why true accountability cannot be imposed—it must be cultivated.
What You See Is What You Get: The Power of Imaging
by Ann McGee-Cooper, Ed.D.
High performance often begins long before action—with the pictures we hold in our minds. In this insightful and science-informed article, Ann McGee-Cooper explores the power of mental imaging and its impact on performance, healing, leadership, and everyday life. Drawing from research, elite sports examples, neuroscience, and lived experience, she shows how expectations, self-talk, and visualization quietly shape outcomes. A practical invitation for leaders to become more intentional about what they imagine, rehearse, and ultimately bring into reality.
The Great Divide Between Intent and Perception
by Ann McGee-Cooper, Ed.D.
Many workplace conflicts don’t stem from bad intent, but from the unseen gap between what we mean and how others experience us. In this practical and compassionate article, Ann McGee-Cooper explores how misunderstandings arise when intent and perception are confused—or assumed to be the same. Through real-world examples and dialogue-based tools, she shows leaders how slowing down, listening deeply, and asking clarifying questions can transform conflict into collective intelligence. A powerful reminder that leadership maturity begins with the humility to recognize that both intent and perception carry truth.
Discipline and Accountability in a Just Culture
by Mike Blevins
Many leaders assume that discipline and accountability are incompatible with servant leadership. In this grounded and experience-based article, Mike Blevins challenges that assumption by showing how both are essential to creating a truly Just Culture—one rooted in trust, fairness, and sustainable performance. Drawing from high-reliability environments and real leadership practice, he reframes accountability as self-reporting and self-correcting, and discipline as constructive rather than punitive. A compelling case for why organizations thrive when justice, clarity, and servant leadership are intentionally woven together.
Just Discipline
by Mike Blevins
Discipline is one of the most misunderstood—and emotionally charged—words in organizational life. In this thoughtful article, Mike Blevins reframes discipline not as punishment, but as teaching, training, and developing people within a Just Culture. Drawing from leadership experience and behavioral science, he shows how punitive approaches drive fear and silence, while constructive discipline builds trust, learning, and accountability. A clear and grounded exploration of why people don’t fear discipline when it is fair—and why organizations perform better when discipline is rooted in growth rather than control.
Learning to Enjoy Abundant Energy: How It All Fits Together
by Ann McGee-Cooper, Ed.D. & Duane Trammell, M.Ed.
It is nearly impossible to lead well when we are exhausted, joy-starved, and living in burnout. In this rich and practical article, Ann McGee-Cooper and Duane Trammell explore why traditional “work harder” solutions fail—and how abundant energy is actually restored through balance, play, and whole-brain integration. Drawing on decades of research and real-life leadership experience, they introduce the concept of Energy Engineering and rediscovering “KidSpirit” as a sustainable path to renewal. A powerful invitation for leaders to reclaim energy, creativity, and presence—so they can serve others without sacrificing themselves.
Lessons on Layoffs: Managing in Good Times to Prepare for Bad Times
by Ann McGee-Cooper, Ed.D. & Gary Looper
Layoffs are one of the most painful leadership moments—and how they are handled leaves a lasting imprint on trust, culture, and performance. In this grounded and compassionate article, Ann McGee-Cooper and Gary Looper draw lessons from servant-led organizations like Southwest Airlines and TDIndustries to show that layoffs should be a last resort, not a default strategy. By contrasting traditional, boss-led approaches with servant leadership practices, they reveal how transparency, shared sacrifice, and long-term thinking can preserve dignity and loyalty—even in hard times. A powerful reminder that leaders reveal who they truly are when the stakes are highest.
Native or Acquired? Understanding Your HBDI® Preferences
by Ann McGee-Cooper, Ed.D. & Duane Trammell, M.Ed.
Are your strengths truly natural—or have they been developed out of necessity? In this insightful article, Ann McGee-Cooper and Duane Trammell explore the difference between native and acquired HBDI® preferences and why the distinction matters for energy, satisfaction, and effectiveness. Drawing on decades of coaching and research, they show how working primarily from acquired strengths can be draining, while engaging native gifts often generates joy, flow, and a sense of calling. The article also highlights the value of intentionally developing “lean” quadrants to reduce shadow traits and grow whole-brained capacity. A thoughtful guide for leaders seeking balance, sustainable energy, and more meaningful work.
Nothing Much Happens Without a Dream
by Ann McGee-Cooper, Ed.D. & Duane Trammell, M.Ed.
In the noise of deadlines, responsibilities, and daily urgency, it’s easy to lose touch with the dreams that once gave life meaning and direction. In this inspiring and deeply human article, Ann McGee-Cooper and Duane Trammell explore the vital role dreams play in energy, purpose, resilience, and leadership. Drawing on servant leadership, neuroscience, and lived experience, they show how dreaming isn’t indulgent—it’s essential to vitality, creativity, and long-term contribution. A powerful invitation for leaders to slow down, listen inward, and courageously reclaim the dreams that bring their best selves to life.
On Dialogue Practice
by Deborah Welch, Ph.D.
Dialogue is one of the most powerful—and most underdeveloped—skills of servant leaders. In this clear and grounding article, Deborah Welch explores dialogue not as a technique, but as a practice that allows groups to move beyond debate, silence, and polite agreement into shared meaning and collective wisdom. Using the “continuum of conversation” and the four core practices of dialogue—listening, suspending, respecting, and voicing—she shows how teams can create trust, learn together, and navigate complexity without needing to win or convince. A practical and timeless guide for leaders who want to harness the full intelligence of their people through genuine dialogue.
Servant Leadership: A Powerful Tool for Fast Change
by Ann McGee-Cooper, Ed.D. & Duane Trammell, M.Ed.
In times of rapid change, many leaders instinctively speed up—often at the expense of trust, creativity, and long-term effectiveness. In this foundational article, Ann McGee-Cooper and Duane Trammell explore servant leadership as a paradoxical yet powerful response to fast change: slowing down to go faster. Drawing on Robert Greenleaf’s work and decades of real-world application at TDIndustries, they show how listening, shared ownership, and collective intelligence create agility that command-and-control leadership cannot sustain. A compelling case for why servant leadership is not “soft,” but one of the most effective tools organizations have for navigating complexity and change.
Servant Leadership: Transforming Ourselves and Bringing Out the Best in All
by Ann McGee-Cooper, Ed.D. & Duane Trammell, M.Ed.
Many people are drawn to the idea of servant leadership, yet quietly wonder what it really looks like in practice—and whether it’s even realistic. In this foundational article, Ann McGee-Cooper and Duane Trammell trace the roots of servant leadership through Robert Greenleaf’s work and the story that inspired it, revealing leadership as a conscious choice to serve first. Blending philosophy, lived experience, and practical insight, they explore how servant leadership transforms not only organizations, but the inner life of the leader as well. A powerful reminder that the true test of leadership is whether those served grow wiser, freer, and more capable of serving others.
Staying the Course
by Duane Trammell, M.Ed.
Like a new car, servant leadership can feel inspiring at first—until the discipline of caring for it requires sustained effort. In this thoughtful and relatable article, Duane Trammell explores the challenge of staying the course when the novelty wears off and old habits quietly return. Drawing on everyday metaphors, Greenleaf’s wisdom, and lived leadership experience, he invites leaders to examine the climate they create, how they respond to disappointment, and whether they are willing to keep choosing service even when it isn’t rewarded. A grounded reminder that servant leadership is not a phase or technique, but a long-term commitment to growth, character, and perseverance.
Strengths and Genius in the VSLLC®
by Deborah Welch, Ph.D. (with stories from Ann McGee-Cooper)
Servant leadership begins on the inside—long before visible change shows up in teams or organizations. In this rich and reflective article, Deborah Welch explores how recognizing and nurturing strengths and genius fuels sustainable growth within the Virtual Servant Leadership Learning Community (VSLLC®). Through powerful stories from Ann McGee-Cooper, including her formative mentoring with Robert Greenleaf, the article highlights deep listening, silence, storytelling, and appreciative inquiry as practices that awaken inner wisdom and courage. A thoughtful invitation for leaders to trust their gifts, honor dignity, and create environments where genius can emerge naturally—without force or ego.
The High Cost of Negative Humor
by Ann McGee-Cooper, Ed.D., Duane Trammell, M.Ed. & Gary Looper
What feels like harmless joking can quietly erode trust, dignity, and collaboration at work. In this candid and eye-opening article, Ann McGee-Cooper, Duane Trammell, and Gary Looper examine how negative humor—sarcasm, put-downs, and insider jokes—creates insiders and outsiders, stifles information flow, and damages both morale and performance. Through real organizational examples, they contrast corrosive humor with forms of humor that heal, connect, and build psychological safety. A powerful reminder that leaders shape culture not only by what they say seriously, but by what they laugh at—and allow.
The Parkland Project: Business Benefits of Investing in Servant Leadership and HBDI®
by Ann McGee-Cooper, Ed.D. & Duane Trammell, M.Ed.
Large, complex projects often become case studies in delay, conflict, cost overruns, and litigation. This article tells a very different story. Through the Parkland Hospital project in Dallas—a $1.3B, multi-year, multi-contractor effort—Ann McGee-Cooper and Duane Trammell show how servant leadership and HBDI® created extraordinary results. By building a shared Vision and Covenant, fostering trust across hundreds of partners, and developing whole-brained collaboration, the team delivered the project under budget, ahead of schedule, with zero litigation. A powerful, real-world case study demonstrating that servant leadership is not only humane—it is a strategic advantage at the highest levels of business performance.
The Power of One
by Duane Trammell, M.Ed.
Great cultures don’t change because of mandates or programs—they change because individuals choose to act differently. In this compelling article, Duane Trammell explores how servant leadership and interdependence took root at TDIndustries through a simple but powerful idea: one person’s actions matter. Drawing on stories, Greenleaf’s wisdom, and real organizational practice, he shows how assuming goodwill, building trust, and moving beyond silos creates collaboration that no structure alone can enforce. A powerful reminder that meaningful change always begins with one person willing to lead from the inside out—and that together, those choices compound into extraordinary results.
The Power of Peer Feedback: Servant Leadership in Action
by Ann McGee-Cooper, Ed.D.
Giving honest feedback takes courage—receiving it with humility takes even more. In this powerful, story-driven article, Ann McGee-Cooper illustrates how peer feedback, grounded in trust and assumed goodwill, becomes a defining practice of servant-led cultures. Through real examples from Bridgeway Capital Management and TDIndustries, the article shows how respectful peer coaching transforms victim mentality into interdependence, strengthens accountability, and accelerates growth. A compelling reminder that feedback is not a threat—it is a gift, and when practiced well, it becomes one of the fastest paths to individual maturity and organizational excellence.
The Third Right Answer
by Ann McGee-Cooper & Duane Trammell
Most disagreements get framed as win/lose: my way or your way. In this practical and story-rich article, Ann McGee-Cooper and Duane Trammell introduce a more creative alternative—the Third Right Answer. Drawing from real business cases, including high-stakes legal and financial conflicts, they show how slowing down, clarifying what truly matters, and combining the best of opposing viewpoints can transform problems into unexpected opportunities. A compelling reminder that when leaders move beyond positional thinking, collaboration doesn’t just reduce conflict—it produces smarter, more innovative outcomes.
Three Elusive Insights: Lessons in More Effective Servant Leadership
by Ann McGee-Cooper, Ed.D.
Some of the most powerful leadership lessons are not techniques to master, but ways of seeing that quietly transform how we live and work. In this deeply personal and reflective article, Ann McGee-Cooper shares three elusive insights she learned through decades of mentorship with Robert K. Greenleaf. Exploring the interconnection between genius and shadow, new dimensions of time, and the role of energy in leadership, the article invites leaders to move beyond efficiency and control into wholeness, presence, and purpose. A timeless reflection on servant leadership as an inner journey—one that begins with self-awareness and ripples outward into lasting impact.
Toxic Language: Recycle Outdated Language That Contaminates Your True Message
by Ann McGee-Cooper, Ed.D. & Duane Trammell, M.Ed.
Words do more than communicate ideas—they shape culture, expectations, and dignity. In this clear and eye-opening article, Ann McGee-Cooper and Duane Trammell expose how everyday workplace language often carries hidden residues of command-and-control thinking that quietly undermine trust and respect. By identifying common “toxic” phrases and offering healthier alternatives, the article shows how leaders can align language with empowerment, inclusion, and shared ownership. A practical reminder that cultural transformation doesn’t start with policy—it starts with noticing how we speak about people, work, and responsibility.
Tribalism in the Workplace: Finding Someone New to Hate
by Ann McGee-Cooper, Ed.D.
In times of uncertainty, organizations often fracture into “us vs. them” dynamics that quietly drain trust, energy, and performance. In this insightful article, Ann McGee-Cooper explores how tribalism shows up at work—between departments, generations, legacy teams, and new hires—and why it intensifies during change, mergers, and competitive pressure. Drawing on real organizational stories, including powerful examples from Southwest Airlines, she reveals how fear-based bonding undermines collaboration and how servant leadership, dialogue, and shared purpose can dissolve silos. A compelling reminder that sustainable success depends on learning to pull together—not finding someone new to blame.
Valuable Lessons in Forgiveness
by Ann McGee-Cooper, Ed.D.
Forgiveness is often misunderstood as weakness or forgetting—but in reality, it is one of the most demanding and transformative leadership practices. In this deeply human and reflective article, Ann McGee-Cooper explores forgiveness as an intentional choice that restores energy, dignity, and freedom—both personally and organizationally. Through lived experience and servant leadership wisdom, she shows how unresolved resentment quietly drains creativity, trust, and presence, while forgiveness creates space for healing, clarity, and renewed contribution. A powerful reminder that forgiveness is not about excusing behavior—it is about reclaiming wholeness and choosing to move forward with integrity.
What’s Right With Your Messy Desk (and Other So-Called “Bad Habits”)
by Ann McGee-Cooper, Ed.D.
What if your messy desk isn’t a flaw—but a sign of how your brain actually works best? In this insightful and surprisingly liberating article, Ann McGee-Cooper challenges traditional ideas of organization by exploring how divergent, visual-spatial thinkers use space, visibility, and variety to enhance memory, creativity, and productivity. Drawing on brain research and real-world examples, she reframes clutter as “work in motion” and invites leaders to design environments that honor different thinking styles rather than forcing one-size-fits-all systems. A refreshing reminder that high performance looks different depending on how we’re wired—and that appreciating those differences unlocks both energy and genius.