elizabeth odders-white

It's hard to believe that we’ve already arrived at the final post in the Leading Life series! Where has the time gone? Before we dive into today's topic, let...

Welcome to the penultimate installment in my Leading Life summer blog post series! (The back-to-school season may be upon us, but we all have a couple more b...

Welcome back to the Leading Life series! I don’t know about you, but I often find that when I start to lose sight of something fundamental—something related ...

Welcome back to the Leading Life series! Whether you’re a higher-ed leader trying to maintain some sense of balance or someone who simply wants to spend a bi...

Welcome back to the Leading Life series! If you’ve been playing along, you’re now armed with a strong sense of both your purpose and your values. Keep in min...

Welcome to the second post in the Leading Life series! Whether you’re a higher-ed leader trying to maintain some sense of balance or someone who simply wants...

Welcome to the first post in my summer “Leading Life” series! Whether you’re a higher-ed leader trying to maintain some sense of balance or someone who simpl
[I chose “caring” and “gets things done.”] List 1 or 2 ways that you enjoy expressing these qualities when interacting with others. Again, focus on the things that resonate most strongly and choose one or two verbs. [I wrote “sharing” and “supporting.”] Assume the world is perfect right now. What does this world look lik

Welcome back! As promised, I’m wrapping up my two-post series on boundaries with a step-by-step guide on how to set them—or more specifically, how to say no....

We had a fence installed in our backyard a few weeks ago. As someone with a strong need for privacy and a fondness for spending time outside, I am thrilled. ...

I’ve been thinking a lot about perspective lately. We all know how much our mental state shapes the way we experience things. As the saying goes, “if you thi...

First off, a big thank you to all who offered words of encouragement following my last blog post, and a special shout out to those who shared it with others....

I’m going to be honest… it’s been a tough week. Not the worst I’ve ever had, and nothing compared to what many people go through, yet tough nonetheless. I’ve...

This blog post has taken an unexpected turn. I sat down yesterday to write on the importance of prioritizing our own needs and desires, of putting ourselves ...

I feel compelled to begin with a major disclaimer. I wrote this post on a plane at 11:30 last night after a couple of really busy days of travel. I fear that...

No one is forcing me to write this blog. No one even twisted my arm. It’s something I’ve chosen to do and something I want to do, at least in theory. So why ...

Would you rather listen to this post? You can find an audio version here. I’ve been reflecting lately on an experience I had with a student during my first y...

It’s mid-January, which means that many in academia have recently returned to the classroom for the spring semester (a ridiculous misnomer for those in clima...

A couple of weeks ago, I realized something interesting (well, interesting to me anyway). To provide a little context, I love to spend time walking outside a...

Hello STANDOUT Professors and friends! Because I am still in the midst of holiday celebrations with family, I’m going to keep this short and sweet. Speaking ...

Has your brain been in overdrive lately? Mine certainly has. If you’re like me, you’ve been both blessed and cursed with a brain that never stops. While this...