I’m a little tired this morning. Late Sunday nights will do that—but this one didn’t feel like procrastination or avoidance. It felt like something else entirely. It felt like not wanting a really good weekend to end. Starting With Connection Friday began simply—coffee and conversation with my friend Steph. No agenda. No pressure. No underlying … More When You Don’t Want the Weekend to End
There’s a particular feeling that comes with the beginning of a new chapter—not the loud excitement of starting something new, but the quieter process of settling in. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been finding my rhythm at the University of Massachusetts Global as an Associate Professor of Operations and Project Management. And what I’ve been reminded of—almost … More Settling In, Stepping Forward, and Staying Grounded
If I’m surprised by anything right now, it’s not the opportunities. It’s not the travel, the titles, the invitations, or the platforms. It’s the depth of gratitude. Gratitude that feels less like a passing emotion and more like a steady undercurrent. A quiet awareness that the most meaningful parts of my life are not the … More The Real Measure
The last couple of days have felt… complete in a way that’s hard to rush past. I finished the draft of my book, Starving for Connection: Social Capital in a Hyper “Connected” World. There are still personal stories to weave in—lived moments that give the ideas breath—but structurally, it’s there. Solid. Grounded. Whole. There’s a particular … More When the Work Quietly Comes Together
I didn’t set out for this to be interview season. What began as a deliberate pause—stepping out of my previous role to reflect, recalibrate, and listen—quickly turned into a season of conversations. Interviews. Reconnection. Unexpected offers. Doors opening not through force, but through alignment. There’s something quietly affirming about that kind of momentum. When you stop … More When Reflection Turns Into Fire
The Official Author Page of Dr. Rick L. Mask (The Social Capitalist) and the Home of Social Capital 2.0 