Reposted from Tim Richardson

Housekeeping Should be Everyone’s Job

Years ago, when I served as Director of Training for a Five Diamond hotel -the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, one of the policies I brought to the organization was this mantra.

I explained to the leadership team and managers that when an employee sees a manager or department head bend down to pick up trash, it normalizes that behavior. It sends a clear message that no one is above doing the right thing. When guests visit a luxury resort, they expect it to be spotless. That standard should not belong to one department. It should belong to everyone and every organization. Even if you work at home. If the restroom counter is a mess, wipe it down. If someone leaves trash in the break room, throw it away. If there is litter in the parking lot, pick it up. Recently, I was inspired by stories of Japanese soccer fans and players who cleaned up locker rooms and stadiums after matches. Their culture reinforces personal responsibility and respect for shared spaces.

I was also struck by a photo of NFL quarterback Jameis Winston in the stands after a game, holding a trash bag and helping clean up. No spotlight. Just action. Maybe it is catching on.

Just this week, I attended a baseball game with my son and noticed employees moving through the stands with trash bags. Midway through the game, an announcement encouraged fans to help keep the space clean. By the time we left, the stands were practically spotless. It elevated the entire experience. What if we applied that same mindset beyond physical spaces? What if housekeeping was everyone’s job in our relationships, both personal and professional?

Housekeeping might look like:

• Apologizing after unintentionally belittling an idea in a meeting
• Following up to elevate the guest or customer experience when you did not meet a customer’s expectations
• Owning a comment made in frustration that impacted a colleague

So when should you do housekeeping? Immediately after an infraction.

People leave organizations because of ill-timed or inappropriate words. Customers stop doing business because they felt disrespected. The cost of leaving a mess behind is real.

The lesson is simple: do not leave a mess for someone else to clean up. Whether it is a physical space, a conversation, or a relationship, take responsibility, make it right, and move on with integrity.

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Reposted from Tim Richardson

Power Without Character: The Leadership Test We All Face

Leadership has a way of revealing who we really are. Sometimes it brings out our best. Other times, it exposes habits and tendencies we didn’t realize we had. This week, I’ve been reflecting on how power - big or small - can subtly change people, and what it takes to lead without losing ourselves in the process.

If you’ve ever read J.R.R. Tolkien’s work, you’re likely familiar with Frodo and the One Ring. The ring doesn’t just give power, it distorts character. The longer it’s worn, the more it amplifies fear, control, and isolation. What makes Frodo compelling isn’t just that he carries the ring, but how hard he fights to remain himself under its influence.

Leadership can work the same way.

Most of us won’t carry a mythical ring, but we will, at some point, be handed authority, a title, a role, or responsibility over others. And just like the ring, that authority can quietly change us if we’re not careful. It can create a false sense of importance, a need to assert control, or a belief that position equals superiority.

I recently experienced this firsthand. At an event my wife and I were working, someone I’ll call Mary was put in charge for the evening. Almost immediately, her demeanor shifted. Her communication became sharp and forceful. She used intimidation and negativity to assert control, correcting people publicly and speaking in ways that diminished others.

I found myself on the receiving end of that behavior. In one interaction, she addressed me in a belittling way in front of others. It was frustrating, and if I’m honest, I didn’t handle it as well as I could have. I reacted instead of pausing, which only escalated the tension.

Two leadership failures happened in that moment, hers and mine.

That experience reminded me of something simple but difficult. If stepping into leadership changes your character, then leadership is revealing a problem, not creating strength. A title should not transform you into someone less kind, less patient, or less respectful. If it does, it’s not leadership, it’s insecurity wearing authority as a mask.

Strong leaders don’t get their identity from their position. They bring their identity into their position.

This idea extends beyond one interaction. Consider the recent situation involving veteran journalist Scott Pelley. While I’m not privy to all the details, reports suggest he faced consequences after openly criticizing leadership and refusing to walk back his comments. Whether you agree with him or not, it highlights another side of leadership, how we respond when we believe we’re right.

It’s difficult to stay humble in those moments. Most of us believe we’re right most of the time. But leadership, whether formal or informal, requires the ability to pause, reflect, and sometimes admit when we’ve crossed a line.

That’s where both stories connect.

Mary’s mistake was allowing authority to inflate her behavior. Pelley’s situation, at least from the outside, raises questions about how we handle conviction without losing humility. And my mistake was responding emotionally instead of thoughtfully.

All three point to the same truth. Leadership is less about control and more about character.

Whether you’re leading others or responding to someone in authority, the challenge is the same. Pause before reacting. Choose respect over reaction. Choose humility over being right.

I’ve learned that even when someone else is clearly in the wrong, you still have control over how you respond. In my case, I could have de-escalated the situation by taking a breath, collecting my thoughts, and responding with calm, even offering an apology to defuse the moment.

That’s not weakness. That’s leadership.

Because in the end, titles fade, roles change, and authority comes and goes. But character, how you treat people, how you respond under pressure, how you handle power, that’s what people remember.

And more often than not, humility wins.

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Reposted from Tim Richardson

A Lesson in Passion-Filled Longevity

Not every job or every show is easy, but the best work has something deeper behind it - purpose. Chicago’s performance was a reminder of what sustained passion can look like over time. That contrast became even clearer when I thought about the people I have spoken with recently who are feeling disconnected from their work.

Last night, my wife and I had the pleasure of seeing the band, not the show, Chicago, perform for the second time. They were different from most performances we have seen in the last decade or so. They made the experience exceptional in a number of ways: The band played for nearly two and a half hours and returned for two encore songs. They encouraged people to stand up and dance in the aisles. They tossed branded Chicago items into the audience. They offered a pre-show experience for their biggest fans. They stayed afterward to sign items people had left on the stage. They allowed fans to video and audio record without limitation, which is almost unheard of today. Some performers do some of these things, but it’s rare that today’s performers do all of these things, and do it while demonstrating how much they love their fans. Perhaps the most amazing thing I learned about Chicago is that they have averaged about 100 shows a year for nearly 60 years. Even more remarkable, until recently, three original members – Robert Lamm, Lee Loughnane, and James Pankow – were still performing. Let that sink in: more than 55 years on the road, traveling from city to city across North America and the world. That kind of longevity does not happen by accident. It comes from passion, discipline, and a deep connection to purpose.

In the last week, I have spoken with a couple of people in the professional world who are burned out. Just this morning, I talked with a blue-collar worker who has used a lot of vacation and personal days because his work feels empty and unsatisfying.

That is not unusual. That is where the pause matters. A pause gives us time to ask: Do I still care? Do I still believe in what I am doing? Am I simply enduring, or am I engaged in something that gives me energy? The band Chicago seems to have answered that question for nearly six decades. The great news? So can you and I. But it has to start with love. Work is easier when you love it. And while every job has its difficult moments, at some level you need to love what you do – or at least connect deeply enough to its purpose to keep going with intention. Maybe it’s time to fall in love with what you do and to share that love with your colleagues and customers. Or maybe you need a dose of Chicago to remind you that passion matters.

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Reposted from CISA/DHS

Today, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) will announce in the Federal Register a revised schedule of town hall meetings for the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act of 2022 (CIRCIA) rulemaking. CISA is providing this opportunity to allow stakeholders, including entities in critical infrastructure sectors, to offer input on refining the scope and burden of the CIRCIA Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). Scheduled to begin June 15, these town hall meetings replace the town hall meetings previously scheduled for March and April 2026, but which CISA did not hold due to the recent lapse in Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations. I appreciate your interest and concern that CISA implement CIRCIA to maximize its impact on improving our nation’s cybersecurity posture while minimizing unnecessary burden to entities in critical infrastructure sectors. CISA remains committed to working within the rulemaking process to enable stakeholders to provide input as CISA drafts the rulemaking to strike an appropriate balance of costs and benefits.

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Reposted from CISA

CISA will host a workshop on June 30th to promote cross-sector awareness and adoption of CISA’s Counter-APT Cyber Defense Plan. Please see the attached TLP: AMBER+STRICT invitation for further information. 

Background

CISA has developed a Counter-APT Cyber Defense Plan to operationalize the National Cyber Incident Response Plan and establish processes for operational coordination, information sharing, and redundant communication during a geopolitical contingency. This work is in coordination with CISA’s Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative and Communications and IT Sector partners to lead public-private cyber defense planning to enable an effective and unified response to a significant cyber incident or incident(s) that pose a threat to public health and safety and cripple one or more national critical functions. This plan has been briefed to members of participating departments and agencies via CISA's Homeland Defense Working Group.

Webinar Goal and Purpose

The upcoming June 30th webinar aims to increase awareness and adoption of CISA’s Counter-APT Cyber Defense Plan and to solicit feedback from SRMAs, ISACs, and SCCs on opportunities for closer alignment and integration with sector-specific incident response plans and coordination mechanisms.

RSVP:  Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

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Reposted from CISA

Please join Emergency Services Sector and the Commercial Facilities Sector as we partner to prepare for America’s 250^th anniversary.  Please share this with your team and trusted partners.
Attached please find the Agenda and Full Announcement.
America’s 250^th Anniversary virtual and in-person event will feature experts from across CISA and DHS. Celebrations surrounding America’s 250^th Anniversary will draw significant crowds and increase demands on public safety, emergency response, and facility security. This session highlights strategies for safeguarding public venues, managing large crowds, and ensuring bomb safety, offering practical insights to strengthen preparedness and first‑response efforts.
Key Topics Covered:

• Joint Special Event Threat Assessments (JSETA)
• Be Air Aware ™ Security Considerations for Larger Public Gatherings
• America 250-Bombing Prevention
• Enhancing Security Through Informed Vigilance

The in-person portion of the webinar will be held in Arlington, VA and is limited to 70 participants. Critical infrastructure owners and operators, security planners, and organizations engaged in America’s 250^th Anniversary activities are encouraged to participate.
EMAIL US BELOW TO REQUEST IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE
EmergencyServicesSector@cisa.dhs.gov 
Once at capacity, we will maintain a waitlist and notify individuals as they are added.
Virtual Webinar ESS and CFS Joint Hybrid America 250 Event
Join virtually via this live town hall link on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at exactly 1:00 PM Eastern.

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Reposted from ARSL

Early Bird Registration for #ARSL2026 is now open!

In response to popular demand, the Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL) is opening early bird registration earlier than ever before so you can plan ahead and make the most of your library's budget. Early bird registration opens May 5 and closes July 8 — don't wait!

2026 Early Bird Rates:

● ARSL Members: $300

● Students, Advocates & Retirees: $255

● Nonmembers: $400

Preconference workshops are also available for an additional fee. Advance in-person registration closes

September 1. Register today at arsl.org/2026-conference-registration

About #ARSL2026:

The Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL) Annual Conference is the only national conference built specifically for rural and small library professionals. Every session, keynote, and conversation is designed with your experiences in mind — small budgets, limited staff, and communities that count on you. No scaling down required. This year's theme, Rooted in Community, celebrates the strength, creativity, and resilience that define small and rural libraries. Join us for four days of networking, learning, and inspiration you can take straight back to your library.

Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center

September 16–19, 2026 Learn more at arsl.org/2026-conference

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Reposted from MAAM

Were you at Building Museums 2026 and missed a session? Missed registering altogether? Here’s your chance to catch some of the content—delivered straight to you.

Join MAAM Encores for:
Build Only What is Necessary: Realizing Mission through Architecture, Landscape, and Systems at Storm King Art Center

Wednesday, June 17 at 12 pm ET

Storm King Art Center’s first capital project, opened in May 2025, expanded the museum’s ability to improve visitor experience while protecting its art, landscape, and operations. Guided by a “build only what is necessary” approach, the project focused on essential facilities and sustainable, mission-driven design. Hear directly from project leaders as they share practical lessons on planning, accessibility, design, systems integration, and making the most of financial and spatial resources. Whether you missed the original 2026 Building Museums Symposium session or want a deeper look, MAAM Encores brings expert insights directly to your desk.

Free for MAAM Members | Non-members: $25

2026 Building Museums Symposium attendees attend free with a registration code. Email info@midatlanticmuseums.org to verify attendance and receive your code.

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Reposted from CISA/DHS

On May 6, the Designation – Restrict the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft in Close Proximity to a Fixed Site Facility was published for a 60-day public comment period in the Federal Register. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) comment period will inform the direction and substance of the Final Rule.

Section 2209 of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 (FESSA 2209) directed the FAA to establish a process by which certain critical infrastructure owners and operators may petition the FAA to prohibit or restrict, including temporarily, the operation of an unmanned aircraft in close proximity to a fixed site facility. The NPRM contains the proposed rules to request and maintain these unmanned aircraft flight restrictions. Any member of the public, including the critical infrastructure community, can provide written comments on the NPRM during the 60-day public comment period. Detailed information about the NPRM and instructions for submission of public comments is available at Federal Register :: Public Inspection: Designation: Restrict the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft in Close Proximity to a Fixed Site Facility.

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