The Weston Network

Reminder: It’s happening TOMORROW! Join me on March 20th at 10:30 AM in Milan (or virtually!) for the live presentation of Gentilezza Impetuosa: dal Conflitto al Confronto. I'll be in conversation with Alessandro Bruni to explore the core principles of Fierce Civility—how we can shift from division to meaningful dialogue and transform conflict into connection. ?? FrancoAngeli Academy Bicocca, Milan ?? Can’t attend in person? Catch the live stream on LinkedIn ?? FrancoAngeli | Le conoscenze per innovare Let’s continue this conversation together. See you there! ??

I saw this sign when I first arrived in Milan, and it couldn’t have been more timely. The old ways of communicating, leading, and problem-solving no longer meet the needs of these times. But here’s the thing: transformation is possible. I’ve spent 30+ years helping leaders and teams: ? Work together effectively, even with differing opinions. ? Build trust and mutual respect across generational and cultural divides. ? Turn conflict into opportunities for connection and innovation. And while this work isn’t easy—it is necessary. If your workplace or leadership team is struggling with these challenges, let’s talk. Change is happening, whether we embrace it or not. The question is: Will we choose to lead it? ?? DM me or leave a comment and I'll send you a personalized link to discuss and get the conversation started.

There’s a storm of information, outrage, and division that’s designed to keep us dysregulated—to keep us in a constant state of fear and reaction. And when we’re overwhelmed, it’s easy to believe that nothing we do will ever be enough. But here’s the truth: Any small contribution is enough. A SINGLE ACT of kindness disrupts the cycle of negativity. A MOMENT of genuine listening can open the door to understanding. A CHOICE to engage differently—even if it’s uncomfortable—creates a ripple effect. During the last Global Heart Gathering, we talked about this very thing. About how, even in the face of massive uncertainty, we still have the power to make choices that matter. If you need a reminder that your efforts—no matter how small—are meaningful, I invite you to watch the replay. Because the only way forward is together. Because the smallest actions still matter.

The numbers don’t lie: leadership today is falling short where it matters most. Global research has found that 56% of people say HOPE is the most important leadership trait. Yet too often, leaders operate from fear, control, or division instead of inspiring a vision for the future. ?? People don’t need leaders who dominate. ?? They don’t need leaders who just sound smart. ?? They need hope. Trust. Compassion. Stability. But here’s the thing: leadership isn’t just for those in power—it’s for all of us. We all have the capacity to lead in ways that bring hope and connection. What’s one small way you can bring hope to the people around you today?

JOIN US LIVE! Exciting news! On Thursday, March 20 at 10:30 AM CET, I will be at FrancoAngeli Academy Bicocca in Milan for a special live event to present the Italian edition of my book, "Gentilezza Impetuosa: Dal Conflitto al Confronto." I will be in conversation with Alessandro Bruni, business consultant and professor at the University of Pisa, to explore how we can shift from division to meaningful dialogue, transform conflict into collaboration, and cultivate a more connected world. Event Details: ?? Thursday, March 20 ?? 10:30 AM CET ?? FrancoAngeli Academy Bicocca, Milan ?? Live Streaming on LinkedIn ?? https://lnkd.in/d-_msXS The event will be in English with simultaneous Italian translation Free entry until capacity is reached Don’t miss this opportunity to engage in an inspiring discussion about Fierce Civility and the power of courageous communication. Join us in person or online! Tag a friend who would love to be part of this conversation!

The March Global Heart Gathering starts in less than an hour! ?? In uncertain times, staying connected and grounded is more important than ever. That’s why we gather each month for the Global Heart Gathering—a space to pause, reflect, and support one another as we navigate the challenges of our time. We’re going LIVE in less than an hour—join us at 12 PM ET / 5 PM CET. ? Here is the Zoom link to join us ?? https://lnkd.in/gSfCF2i7 Whether you join every month or just drop in when you need a moment of connection, you are always welcome. Feel free to share this with anyone who could use this space today. Important Note for Those Outside the U.S.: Daylight Savings Time began in the U.S. on March 9, meaning our gathering now starts at 5 PM CET (and will stay this way until daylight savings ends in the fall). Be sure to adjust accordingly! See you soon! https://lnkd.in/eQp8nsT4

What makes a great leader? Bravery? Innovation? Charisma? While leadership demands many qualities, Gallup’s latest Global Leadership Report found that across 52 countries, people consistently prioritize hope, trust, compassion, and stability from their leaders. These aren’t just aspirational traits—they’re fundamental to building strong teams and thriving workplaces. Leaders who embody these qualities create cultures of collaboration, resilience, and mutual empowerment. Now, imagine incorporating this into your workplace. - What if leaders prioritized trust over fear? - What if teams engaged in conversations over conflict? - What if your organization embraced stability without stagnation? At The Weston Network, we equip leaders, teams, and organizations with the tools to navigate conflict, build resilience, and foster truly connected workplaces. Because leadership isn’t just about guiding—it’s about creating the conditions for others to thrive. What’s the most important leadership quality you believe organizations need right now? Let’s discuss. ?? Send me a message here or leave a comment and I'll send you a personalized link to discuss and get the conversation started.

The late and great, Jimmy Carter once said: We are, of course, a nation of differences. Those differences don't make us weak. They're the source of our strength. But in a time when division is everywhere—on our screens, in our communities, even in our families—this can feel hard to believe. It’s tempting to retreat into spaces where everyone agrees with us. It feels safer. Easier. But true resilience isn’t built in echo chambers. It’s built in the tension of learning, of listening, of holding space for complexity. Think about the strongest teams, the most innovative ideas, the greatest social movements. They didn’t happen because everyone thought the same way. They happened because people brought different perspectives to the table and found ways to work together anyway. We don’t have to fear our differences. We just have to decide what to do with them. How do you practice turning differences into strength in your own life?

With so much happening in the world right now, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed—fear, suffering, uncertainty. The external stimuli are relentless, keeping us in a state of dysregulation where we react instead of respond. But we have a choice. In this clip from the latest Global Heart Gathering, I reflect on the most empowering thing we can do: pause, recognize the stimulus, and choose how we respond. This is why we gather—to practice showing up differently. To become stewards of this transition, midwives to a new way of being, instead of just spectators to the chaos. How are you choosing to respond in this moment?

It’s easy to believe that the chaos of the world is someone else’s fault. That the division, the polarization, the breakdown in trust—it’s all because of them. But what if we had the courage to ask: What have I done or not done that contributed to where we are now? In my book, Fierce Civility, I lay out four conclusions that I believe we need to embrace if we want real, lasting change: 1?? No one is exempt from both the responsibility and the consequences of determining what our shared future will look like. 2?? Working together is the only viable path to a future that still holds hope. 3?? The willingness to talk with one another in ways that overcome differences must underlie and enable collaboration in order to lead to better solutions. 4?? How we are presently communicating isn’t working. We need an upgraded way to engage. I want to focus on that first point: No one is exempt. Taking responsibility doesn’t mean taking the blame. It means recognizing that even if we didn’t personally cause the storm, we’re all in the same boat—and we either learn to navigate together or we go down together. So instead of focusing on who created the mess, let’s shift our energy toward how we clean it up—together.