Thought Leadership Writer & Editorial Strategist

I’m looking for an exceptional writer, editor, and strategic thinker to become my long-term thought partner. I am the author of Collaborative Hardball: Using the Power of a New Negotiation as Women to Change the World, host of the Collaborative Hardball Podcast, and an international practitioner with more than 35 years of experience in negotiation, conflict resolution, leadership, and peacebuilding. I’m looking for someone who can immerse themselves in my ideas, understand my voice, think alongside me, and translate complex concepts into writing that is clear, compelling, practical, and deeply human. This is not a traditional social media management role. It is an opportunity to help build a body of work. I am looking for an individual—not a large marketing agency. I care far more about exceptional thinking and writing than producing a large volume of content. Why This Work Matters I believe we are living through a profound transition. Around the world, we are witnessing rising authoritarianism, climate disruption, polarization, widening inequality, and the breakdown of trust. At the same time, many people are searching for healthier ways to exercise power, navigate conflict, and lead. I believe women have a critical role to play in that transition. Yet too many women have been taught to avoid conflict, minimize their authority, and exercise power in ways that leave existing systems intact. My work is about changing that. Through Collaborative Hardball, I equip women to become stronger and more confident negotiators—to stand firmly for what matters without reproducing the domination-based models of power they are trying to replace. The larger question beneath all of my work is: What if every negotiation became an opportunity to move the world a little further from domination and a little closer to partnership? I explore that question through my book, Substack, speaking, workshops, podcast conversations, personal reflections, and responses to current events. The podcast is one important source of ideas, but it is only one part of a much larger intellectual project. I’m not interested in creating content simply to feed the algorithm. I’m interested in creating ideas that strengthen women, deepen public conversation, and contribute to a more courageous and life-giving future. Men and people of every gender are welcome in this conversation. Women are the center of gravity. About the Work I am building a long-term platform around the ideas of Collaborative Hardball. The book provides much of the foundation. The podcast brings additional voices into the conversation. Speaking engagements, Substack essays, current events, personal stories, and practical teaching all become part of one integrated body of work. Rather than constantly inventing new topics, my goal is to deepen and expand the same central conversation and mission over time. What You’ll Do Together, we will create approximately three strong pieces of content each week. These may include a substantial essay, a LinkedIn post, a reel script, a shorter reflection, or copy for a quote card. Your work will likely include: • Becoming deeply familiar with the ideas in Collaborative Hardball • Listening to selected podcast conversations and identifying their strongest insights • Interviewing me and asking thoughtful questions that surface stories, arguments, and new ideas • Writing substantial Substack essays, generally aiming for one per week • Adapting key ideas into LinkedIn posts and selected social content • Connecting ideas across my book, podcast, speaking, current events, and personal reflections • Helping shape the long-term editorial direction of Collaborative Hardball • Preserving my voice while making the thinking clearer, stronger, and more compelling I already work with a podcast editor who creates the primary video edits and reels, so this role is focused primarily on writing, strategy, and editorial collaboration. Graphic design experience is welcome but not required. I expect the work to require approximately 10 hours per week. My hope is that it will develop into a genuine creative partnership over time. Who You Are You are an exceptional writer with excellent English-language skills. But you are also intellectually curious. You enjoy wrestling with important ideas. You ask thoughtful questions. You notice patterns and connections. You draw out what someone is really trying to say. You believe that expanding women’s leadership, power, and influence is essential to creating a healthier, more just, and more sustainable future. You enjoy connecting ideas across psychology, negotiation, leadership, relationships, politics, culture, and social change. You know how to preserve another person’s authentic voice while making the thinking clearer, stronger, and more compelling. You would rather create one outstanding piece than five average ones. What Success Looks Like Over time, this work should: • Equip women to become more confident and skillful negotiators • Strengthen women’s leadership, power, and influence • Teach practical skills people can immediately apply • Challenge prevailing assumptions about power and conflict • Connect everyday negotiations to larger questions of cultural transformation, democracy, and a more peaceful and sustainable planet • Build a thoughtful community around Collaborative Hardball • Establish Collaborative Hardball as a distinctive body of thought • Expand the reach of my writing, speaking, podcast, and book without making the work feel relentlessly promotional Quality always comes before quantity. To Apply Please include: • Two or three paragraphs explaining why this project speaks to you • Examples of thought leadership writing you have done for an author, executive, organization, or public figure • Three examples of work developed from books, interviews, podcasts, speeches, or similarly idea-rich source material • A brief description of how you learn and preserve another person’s voice • A brief description of how you use AI, if at all, to strengthen your work while preserving originality, judgment, and authentic voice • Any observations you may have about my current social media presence • Your hourly rate or preferred pricing model, whether hourly or a monthly retainer Hiring Process I will review applications carefully and invite a small number of finalists to complete a short, paid writing exercise. The exercise will draw from my existing work and is intended to help both of us determine whether we are a good fit. Finalists will be compensated for their time. Ultimately, I’m looking for much more than a copywriter. I’m looking for an intellectual partner—someone who believes that ideas matter, words matter, and that women claiming their power can make a meaningful contribution to a more collaborative future for all of us. If that sounds like you, I’d love to hear from you.