A sunlit forest clearing surrounded by tall trees, with warm light opening through the center.
, , , , ,

Holding the Room Without Owning the Outcome

One of the hardest and most liberating truths of facilitation, mediation, coaching, consulting, and leadership is that brave space cannot be held by the facilitator alone. Our role is to create the conditions where bravery becomes more possible.…
A rocky uphill trail winding through sunlit grasses and hills.
, , , , , , ,

Brave Space Is the Right Kind of Hard

My own journey into the arena of brave spaces began long before M E Clarke Consulting existed. In my early twenties, I studied peace and conflict resolution at American University, where I first began to understand that conflict is not simply…
,

Perfectionism Isn’t Excellence. It’s Protection.

Perfectionism is not simply a personality trait. It is a protective response that can quietly undermine leadership, team wellbeing, and our own sense of peace. Kate McCracken explores how leaders can recognize perfectionist patterns, accept…
, , , ,

Another Somersault: On Becoming, Part III

Editor's Note: Personal growth and change rarely arrive in clean, linear ways. More often, we find ourselves mid-somersault, releasing old identities while trying to understand who we are becoming. This is a reflection on the courage it takes…
, ,

To Face Uncertainty, Follow the Anxiety

The work of leadership is to show up to the moment, and both hold fast to the values and vision of the organization while also remaining nimble and flexible enough to meet that moment authentically. In these times of great change, where so much…
Descriptive image of a bridge near water
, , , , ,

What Gets You in the Door, Won’t Keep You in the Room: A Reckoning with Burnout

Burnout is rarely a personal failure. More often, it is a signal that the way work is structured, decisions are made, and success is defined is no longer sustainable. The grit that builds an organization in its early stages can quietly become the very thing that exhausts the leader who built it.
, , , ,

Your Leadership Matters

Your leadership still matters. Your presence, your care, and the way you tend to your organization and team matter. In fact, they matter more than ever. Yes, action is needed, but it may not be the action you think. Often, what is most needed…

Redefining Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome shows up quietly – even in people who are deeply capable. It doesn’t discriminate by age, title, or industry. And it doesn’t always signal inadequacy. Sometimes, it’s simply the ache of growth. When we’re learning…
, ,

Do You Need a Meeting Makeover?

"Meetings are where the real work of teams gets done. If you want a great team, build great meetings." ~ Elise Keith Whether you love them or hate them, meetings are a ubiquitous part of work life. But if you find yourself counting down…
,

The Jewel of Team Cohesion

"A group of people isn’t a team unless they’re working toward a shared goal with mutual accountability." ~ Adam Grant When a team is truly aligned, the success of one person is the success of everyone. But getting to that level of…
,

Beyond Agreement: Getting to Commitment

Trust + Clarity + Buy-In = Commitment The importance of commitment on a team can’t be understated. Without commitment, ambiguity can run amok and finger pointing can become the norm. High performing teams are willing to stay engaged through…
A purple butterfly flying in front of a small brand with purple blooms
,

Transform Your Team with M E Clarke Consulting

Are you seeking a deeper understanding of yourself, how you lead, or what it takes to enhance your team? Do you need ways to help your team work better, together? Perhaps you're ready to (re)connect after the upheaval of recent years or chart…