Hello Beautiful and Kind Humans!

Field Notes | A Birthday in Japan: Wisdom from the East

As I celebrate my 60th birthday in Japan, I find myself deeply inspired by the beauty, grace, and intentionality woven into every part of this country — from its art and architecture to its fashion, food, and most of all, its people. This journey is more than a trip; it’s a reflection, a reset, and a reminder of the values that matter most.

In honor of this milestone, I want to share five timeless Japanese philosophies that are shaping how I think about life, leadership, and legacy. These principles aren’t just cultural traditions — they are powerful lenses through which we can view our work, relationships, and purpose:

• IKIGAI – Your reason for being. The intersection of what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for.

• KINTSUGI – The art of repairing broken pottery with gold, reminding us that our flaws and scars are part of our beauty and story.

• OMOTENASHI – Wholehearted hospitality. Anticipating needs with care and humility, without expecting anything in return.

• NEMAWASHI – Quiet preparation. The thoughtful groundwork laid behind the scenes to build consensus and ensure lasting change.

• KAIZEN – Continuous improvement. The commitment to small, steady progress — in our teams, our craft, and ourselves.

Each of these principles speaks to a different facet of leadership and humanity — purpose, resilience, generosity, collaboration, and growth. They are also a reminder that wisdom often comes in stillness, subtlety, and simplicity.

As I step into this next chapter, I’m carrying these lessons with me.

I invite you to do the same.

Do Not Let Anyone Dim Your Light: Navigating Authenticity in a Shifting Landscape

Over the past year, I have found myself standing at a crossroads—one that I did not fully anticipate when I left my corporate role in September 2024 to build my own business. I stepped away from the structure and security of the corporate world because I believed in something bigger: a world where leadership is rooted in authenticity, kindness, and inclusion. I wanted to use my voice, my experience, and my platform to help others navigate the complexities of modern business with integrity and purpose.

And yet, here I am, facing a reality that is both deeply personal and professionally daunting. The world I walked into as an independent entrepreneur is not the same one I left as a corporate executive. The backlash against DEI is real. It is calculated. And it is working. Many companies that once championed progress and inclusion are retreating. Leaders who once spoke with conviction about diversity are now choosing silence or, worse, compliance with forces that seek to erase hard-won gains.

I have seen it firsthand. In conversations with people I know and respect—people who have supported my career and my journey—I have been advised to "tone it down." To "be careful" about how I present my advocacy. To use my white male privilege more effectively by pivoting away from talking about my LGBTQ+ identity and community and instead focusing on how I can serve business at large.

At its core, this is a request for me to shrink. To become smaller, less visible, less vocal. To deny a part of myself for the comfort of others. And to what end? To fit into a world that is increasingly resistant to hard truths? To be more "marketable" in a space that is actively undermining the very values I stand for?

Let me be clear: This is a form of bullying. It is a softer, more insidious version than what many of us faced in childhood, but the impact is the same. It tells us that who we are is too much. That our voices are too loud. That our presence is disruptive. It is a demand for conformity disguised as advice for success. A very senior person whom I respect recently told me, "DEI is dead," and that if I wanted to work, I needed to move on. That moment shook me. It was not just a business perspective; it was a dismissal of everything I have worked for and believe in.. It is a softer, more insidious version than what many of us faced in childhood, but the impact is the same. It tells us that who we are is too much. That our voices are too loud. That our presence is disruptive. It is a demand for conformity disguised as advice for success.

And yet, I wrote in my book All Pride, No Ego—Lesson 3, to be exact—Do not let anyone dim your light. It was true when I wrote it, and it is true now. But I would be lying if I said this moment has not tested me. The weight of these conversations, the shrinking of opportunities, the uncertainty of this new path—they are heavy. And they have triggered old wounds, old scars, old fears that maybe, just maybe, the world is telling me something I should listen to.

But then I remember why I made this leap in the first place. My definition of success was never about chasing the biggest paycheck or securing the safest path. It was about building community, joining with others—virtually and physically—to learn from each other and stimulate important discussions. I did not leave my corporate career to be palatable. I did not step into this next chapter to make others comfortable at the expense of my truth. I left to build something that matters. To use my voice and my platform to make real change. And if that means fewer opportunities, then so be it—because the ones that remain will be aligned with my values, my mission, and my purpose.

This is not just about me. This is about every leader who has been asked to dilute themselves for the sake of acceptance. Every advocate who has been told to be "less political." Every changemaker who has been advised to "play the game" rather than rewrite the rules. The world needs bold, authentic leadership now more than ever. And we cannot afford to go quiet.

So, to anyone who is facing a similar moment of doubt, I say this: Hold the line. Do not let anyone dim your light. The world may try to silence you, but your voice—your full, unapologetic, authentic self—is your greatest asset. And it is needed now more than ever.

This trip to Japan, China, and Korea has been a wondrous and fascinating gift. Joe asked me 18 months ago how I wanted to celebrate 60 and my initial answer was a party!.

Then, I realized the true party of 2025 occurs in September with our Wedding.

So, I decided on a trip. To someplace interesting, exotic, and with meaning for both of us. Joe and his sister were actually born in Japan, so he has always felt a spiritual pull here. For me, this region represented some of the highlights of my career, but also holds so much fascination for me. It has been the perfect destination.

This trip took place with the backdrop of Tariffs, World Anger, and Confusion. At times, it was hard to stay “present”, but we did and I am so grateful for the health, resources, and time to travel together.

Jill Robertson and Jason Schulte

I met Jim many years ago, when he was President of Disney Stores and hired our design agency, Office. Jim’s unconventional brief for helping him re-imagine the Disney Stores was just one question: "How do we become the best 30 minutes of a child’s day? “ That’s it. A brief usually includes pages of customer insights, competitive audits, lists of parameters. Jim cut through all that with a question that was big enough to spark completely new thinking and get the very best out of a creative team. What really set Jim apart was how he brought joy to every single interaction — I distinctly remember his completely contagious laughter (every meeting). That’s Jim’s leadership style: bring good people together, set an inspiring vision, give them space to play, and find joy along the way. Who doesn’t want to be part of that?

Along with her husband Jason Schulte, Jill Robertson leads San Francisco-based creative studio Office, which has been designing and building brand experiences over the past two decades. Office was honored by First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House when the studio received the Smithsonian’s Cooper Hewitt National Design Award, recognizing excellence, innovation, and lasting achievement in American design. Jill is also co-founder of Wee Society, a kid-focused company that aims to build a brighter, kinder world. She’s the co-creator of 9 books meant to be learning tools disguised in fun.

Take a look at their work.

Trump Anti-LGBTQ+ Executive Order Litigation Tracker

The National LGBTQ+ Bar is proud to share our new Trump Anti-LGBTQ+ Executive Order Litigation Tracker: a one-stop resource to locate up-to-date information on all pending litigation addressing anti-LGBTQ+ executive orders issued by the second Trump Administration.

To view cases challenging each anti-LGBTQ+ executive order, select the executive order and click on the cases listed below. You may also sort by topic and search the cases for specific key words, litigators, etc. Each case includes a “Reference” link that will connect you with more information, often housed on the websites of the case litigator(s).

I wish you all Safe and Fascinating Journeys. Thank you for taking this ride with me.

With Love and Joy,

Jim