We Are The Culture Makers

Who Gets Off The Hook?

By Kelly Diels / May 24, 2026 / Comments Off on Who Gets Off The Hook?

My #1 culture making tool is the question Who Gets Off The Hook? It renders the invisible visible, and shows you where to aim your time, attention and money.

Is Baby Reindeer Fatphobic?

By Kelly Diels / May 10, 2024 / Comments Off on Is Baby Reindeer Fatphobic?

Is Baby Reindeer fatphobic? I’m unpacking the portrayal of fatness in Richard Gadd’s hit series ‘Baby Reindeer,’ addressing societal biases and the importance of nuanced storytelling that goes beyond stereotypes and tropes. I analyze whether or not fatness (and fatphobia) is used as a character device or an engine to propel the series; how camera angles do or do not contribute to fatphobia; and how these cinematic choices intersect with social norms and beliefs.

The Fetishization of Leadership

By Kelly Diels / April 16, 2023 / Comments Off on The Fetishization of Leadership

Leaderism is the habit of calling anyone with power or a following a leader. The signs of status are not the content of leadership.

You Don’t Have to Pay with Your Suffering

By Kelly Diels / January 18, 2023 / Comments Off on You Don’t Have to Pay with Your Suffering

I used to be mystified when people didn’t leap. Risk, schmisk. I’d been through a lot of shit.  All the horror, all the anguish — I survived it all.   So I knew I could survive it again. So, when I was 21 and wanted to start a coffee shop with zero help? What’s the worst…

What To Do In Overwhelmingly Troubled Times

By Kelly Diels / February 27, 2022 / Comments Off on What To Do In Overwhelmingly Troubled Times

I’ve been sending this email every few months for several years, to rally people when we’re most despairing. The world should NOT be as it is, and we do have the power to change it. Here’s some deeply practical advice about how each of us can do that, even in the midst of the worst.…

How NOT to Get Swamped by It All

By Kelly Diels / September 27, 2020 / Comments Off on How NOT to Get Swamped by It All

No one person can respond to all the need for change. But what each of us CAN do is sharpen our tools and show up to our spots on the wall. We create the most change when we leverage our talents and gifts.

for when your contribution or leadership isn’t being acknowledged…

By Kelly Diels / March 9, 2020 / Comments Off on for when your contribution or leadership isn’t being acknowledged…

“Leaders Eat Last” as a leadership concept is novel to Simon Sinek but it is the ordinary, unsung leadership habit of most mothers and community-builders

Clear The Way! (A Culture-Making Tool.)

By Kelly Diels / January 12, 2020 / Comments Off on Clear The Way! (A Culture-Making Tool.)

Clearing the way means looking for the daily road-blocks and friction and clearing internalized limits and biases that block personal power.

on “lying to ourselves”. (I’m not so sure we do.)

By Kelly Diels / December 8, 2019 / Comments Off on on “lying to ourselves”. (I’m not so sure we do.)

“Lying to ourselves” is a lie. When we build our analysis about money and power, we can see through the lies — and that’s how we get free.

Dear Culture Maker: Do you want power?

By Kelly Diels / October 6, 2019 / Comments Off on Dear Culture Maker: Do you want power?

Power can be generative and beneficial for everyone involved, rather than destructive and coercive. Here’s how to grow and steward your right use of power.