CHAPTER V
Writing and perspective.
Some pieces explore ownership and governance.
Others reflect on leadership, incentives, and long-term decision making.
This section collects essays and reflections shaped by operating businesses and working inside complex environments.
The goal is not to produce marketing content, but to share thinking formed through experience.
What We Look for in People: The Icelaven Mindset
“The kind of people we look for are people that are interested in the same stuff we are.”At Icelaven, we don’t start with credentials—we start with...
From One School to a Movement: The Origin Story of Icelaven
"We started out trying to start one charter school."Icelaven wasn’t born from a pitch deck. There was no roadmap, no strategic rollout. It started...
Why Evolution Is a Non-Negotiable at Icelaven
“I definitely think Icelaven has to evolve.” In a rapidly changing landscape, standing still isn’t neutral—it’s risky. That belief drives Icelaven’s...
Restoring Purpose in a Culture of Burnout
I suspect that when my great grandfather was growing up on his family’s farm, burnout was not a frequent topic at their dinner table. Sure, people...
Reaping the Rewards of the Daily Grind
Kevin DeShazo, founder of Be Better Leaders, posted the following on X this morning: “You are not your goals. You are your habits. It’s not what you...
Scaling Impact Without Losing Soul
Growth is the goal, but it’s also the test. As companies grow, something subtle but crucial can be lost: the soul of the organization. That original...