As we prepare to gather in San Diego for a milestone event, the POD Network’s 50th year, I find myself reflecting not just on the future of education, but on the future of us.
How we show up together determines what we create together.
This anniversary is more than a date; it’s an inflection point. It’s an invitation to pause, reflect, and realign how we lead, teach, and organize. In the spirit of our theme, Writing Our Future, I want this conference to be more than an exchange of ideas, I want it to be an activation.
An Invitation to Reflect
To begin this process before we arrive, I’ve recorded a brief video message (approx. 5–7 minutes). It invites us into the reflective space we will share in San Diego, exploring the “O” in POD—Organizational Development—not just as structure, but as a living ecosystem of care.
I believe that when we design our systems from a place of connection rather than control, our organizations can breathe again. They become what they were meant to be: containers sturdy enough for humanity to thrive.
A Deeper Dive: The Organizational Nervous System
Many of us can name these concepts; what changes institutions is how we embody them.
If you are interested in exploring these ideas further, I invite you to join me on a journey into the “Organizational Nervous System” over the coming weeks. I’ve launched a special series on LinkedIn dedicated to practical approaches for humanizing our institutional cultures.
My first post introduces a reflective tool: “Characteristics of Dehumanizing vs. Humanizing Culture.” It’s designed as a mirror, helping us see how our structures and rhythms either nourish or drain human vitality.
I encourage you to view the post, download the worksheet, and share your reflections.
Connective Conversations: The Dialogue Continues
The work of humanizing our organization is ongoing. One vital space for this is our Connective Conversations series. These virtual dialogues allow us to engage as a community around the questions that matter most and are essential as we collectively shape the POD Network’s direction.
I invite you to join us for our next session:
Organizational Readiness for the Future of Learning
Tuesday, November 11 | 12 pm EST
As we prepare for San Diego, I encourage you to bring your reflections, your story, and your voice. We are not just attending a conference; we are writing our future together.
Let’s arrive fully… and write something beautiful.