Decoding the Unicorn: The Podcast

Ever worked at a company that "valued feedback" and touted an "open door policy" only to discover it was all bunk? Too many managers allow their own ego to rule the show and offices are set up like Survivor dog-eat-dog competitions. But there is a better way and Dag Hammarskjöld implemented it at the United Nations. If you're tired of bosses who don't listen and act l...

Peer pressure. Criticism. Trendiness.  If you know you're doing the right thing and staying true to your code of ethics, can you hold the line even under scrutiny? Dag Hammarskjöld certainly did, and we should, too.  Sara's award-winning biography of Dag can be purchased on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Decoding-Unicorn-New-Look-Hammarskj%C3%B6ld-ebook/dp/B0DSCS5PZT Her forthcoming proj...

(But it feels scary) In this episode, let's talk about willingness—not just the kind that nods politely from the sidelines, but the kind that stands up, takes a deep breath, and walks straight into the unknown. Dag Hammarskjöld wasn’t campaigning to become Secretary-General of the United Nations. In fact, his name wasn’t even in circulation—until it was. When the call came, he could’ve said n...

In this special episode of Decoding the Unicorn, let's celebrate the 120th birthday of Dag Hammarskjöld, whose remarkable life and legacy continue to inspire us today. Join me as I honor Dag's birthday by sharing an exclusive passage from my next Hammarskjöld project, Simply Dag. Whether you're already acquainted with Dag Hammarskjöld or just discovering his extraordinary journey, t...

There's nothing worse than a manager or an official who's incapable of saying, "I'm sorry. I screwed up." Dag Hammarskjöld offers us an excellent example. When it was time for a victory lap, he credited his entire team. If something hit the fan, however, he took responsibility openly. No blame games.  If you are running a company, a department, a branch, an office, etc., y...

What happens when people feel seen and understood? In this episode of Decoding the Unicorn: The Podcast, I'll discuss something deceptively simple: belonging. Whether you’re managing a corporate team, collaborating on a creative project, or just trying to make it through day-to-day life, the need to feel valued is universal. #DagHammarskjöld #DecodingTheUnicorn #Belonging #Appreciation #Corpo...

In a world obsessed with hustle, noise, and nonstop stimulation, what happens when we choose silence? In this episode, I'll explore the transformative power of quiet and stillness, particularly in politics, diplomacy, and the corporate world. Whether you’re an introvert who craves calm or a busy creative who struggles to slow down, this conversation invites you to reimagine stillness not as a...

What kind of leader runs toward the fire? In this episode, I'll explore the often-overlooked truth of Dag Hammarskjöld’s role as Secretary-General of the United Nations: it was not just diplomatic, but dangerous. When others fled war zones, Dag stepped into them. Any trip could have been his last, but he saddled up anyway. Where is this kind of courage in modernity? Sara's award-winning...

People are tired of the seemingly permanent state of warfare. Where is diplomacy? Where is that person like Dag Hammarskjöld who will advocate for finding common ground rather than rushing to hit the war button??  #DagHammarskjöld #DecodingTheUnicorn #PermaWarFatigue #PeaceIsPower #NoMoreEndlessWars #diplomacy #diplomacymatters

In this episode of Decoding the Unicorn: The Podcast, I'll discuss what a lot of creators are too afraid to say out loud: what happens when you put your heart into a project and it goes absolutely nowhere. This episode is about giving yourself permission: to try something new to have a "box office flop" to walk away without shame or hustle-fueled martyrdom Whether you’ve launched so...

In this episode of Decoding the Unicorn: the Podcast, I'll explore the quiet, often unconscious force that shapes so much of how we see the world: projection. When the facts are few, our minds rush in to fill the gaps—sometimes with empathy, other times with fear, fantasy, or fragments of our own past. Whether it’s assuming someone’s coldness means they dislike us, or interpreting silence as...

Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is back off. Allow a situation to breathe. Let people show you who they are and what they are willing and able to give. In this episode, I explore the quiet strength of restraint. What happens when you stop micromanaging the moment? What shifts when you choose to observe instead of intervene? Drawing inspiration from Dag Hammarskjöld’s own ability to lead wit...

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 replenishes. It’s necessary. If you've ever felt guilty for...

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 things even when we disagree with each other. Tune...

What does it really mean to be an introvert in the modern workplace? In this episode of Decoding the Unicorn, we explore how introversion shows up at work—with Communication & Career Coach / fellow introvert, Madeline Schwarz. From "you're too quiet" to "lead this presentation for me," introverts and HSPs have to navigate a veritable minefield in Corporate America. Top...

Today’s episode is short and sweet—because life threw a few curveballs, and I chose to roll with it. I'm talking about the difference between what actually happens and the story we create around it. Inspired by Dag Hammarskjöld’s own self-awareness and relentless inner work, this episode explores how he used personal triggers not as excuses, but as invitations to grow. How can we separate the...

In this episode of Decoding the Unicorn: The Podcast, I'll dive into the classic novel The Ugly American and its portrayal of American "diplomacy" abroad during the Cold War. The book may have been published in 1958, but its message about cultural insensitivity and the failure to understand local customs still resonates today. I’ll also explore how this contrasts sharply with Dag Ha...

Decoding the Unicorn: The Podcast - Episode 8 - Recognition, Appreciation, & Gratitude in the Workplace with Special Guest Erika Migliaccio In this episode, I sat down with the Founder & Principal Consultant at Upstream HR Strategies  Erika Migliaccio to explore the powerful trio of recognition, appreciation, and gratitude in the workplace. Why do so many formal recognition programs fall f...

In this episode of Decoding the Unicorn: The Podcast, I'll explore the quiet strength of Dag Hammarskjöld in the face of mass opinion—especially from the media. How do you stay true to your inner compass when the world is loud with critique? Dag’s life offers a masterclass. We can take inspiration from how Dag handled being both revered and reviled, often in the same breath. He knew how to di...

In this episode, I'm joined by my special guest, Jen Recla. We'll discuss ways to navigate change and uncertainty in the workplace because *gestures broadly* we seem to be in uncertain times across the board. Key topics: ✔️ Leaders must deal with uncertainty on a regular basis. What's the biggest mistake they make when doing so? ✔️ How can managers help morale and trust when things...

In this episode, I dive into a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of Dag Hammarskjöld’s legacy: the danger of idolizing and martyrizing him to the point of erasing his humanity . Dag was a remarkable leader, diplomat, and thinker, but he was also a human being with complexities, insecurities, and worries. Too often, people want to place him on a pedestal or label him as a martyr for world peace....

In this episode, I'm joined by Founder & CEO of Grapevine Software, Zach Wright.  Key topics: ✔️ The news stories telling us that remote work is dead, RTO is king, and that all employees now somehow prefer hybrid arrangements. 🤔 Is this true? ✔️  Dag believed that leadership was about service , not status. In a fully remote environment, how can leaders make sure that employees still feel...

aka: TTW Dag met all 4,000 employees at the UN.  When Dag Hammarskjöld became Secretary-General of the United Nations, he did something that no one expected—he took the time to meet every single UN staff member, from the basement to the top floor. That’s over 4,000 people . Individually! This wasn’t a publicity stunt. It wasn’t about ego. It was about connection. Yet, despite this, myths about int...

When you think of a leader, do you picture someone loud, brash, and commanding? Society often equates leadership with extroversion (especially in the West), but history tells a different story. In this episode, I'll challenge the myth that leaders have to be loud in order to be effective. I'll explore how introverted leadership works, particularly by studying the example of Dag Hammarskj...

In a world that rewards loud voices, where does that leave the quiet leaders? Today, politics, business, and media glorify "charisma" over competence, mistaking performance for wisdom. But what if true leadership doesn’t look like the loudest voice in the room? In this episode, we'll explore the bias toward extroverted leadership, why it's failing us, and how leaders like Dag H...