I was talking with someone last week about going to church. They told me that, while they appreciated the beauty of the liturgy and worship at their church, they often walked out of the service feeling tired. They asked me, “Why do they always use so many words?” Our lives are filled with words. Words […]
Why Do They Use So Many Words? Read More »
Leadership is one step at a time. It is easy for me to get ahead of myself. I want to see the whole picture, work out all the details, identify all of the potential challenges, and solve all of the problems before I begin. I want to play the game several moves ahead. My analytical
Leadership is One Step at a Time Read More »
The Huntington Library has asked me not to hold quarterly Reflection Days on their grounds. I had worked out the arrangements and scheduled dates with them before I began inviting people to participate. They decided that, while they had seen the Reflection Days as group visits, they now view them as events which must be
Reflections on Reflection Days Read More »
Each of us is on a voyage of discovery. Each of us is sailing into uncharted waters, seeking a destination which often feels uncertain. We face challenges and obstacles, and are at the mercy of the winds and the waves. Even more daunting is that we are each making our way alone. We start from
Voyage of Discovery Read More »
The best article of clothing I own right now is a sweatshirt. I do not remember how many years we have shared. The ends of the sleeves, the collar, and the bottom of the shirt are all fraying. My shirt was once black, but is now quite faded. We have a close relationship, which has included
Some people tell me that their leadership is about putting out fires. They feel like they rush around reacting to crisis situations and people, that they never have time to do anything deeper. For me, leadership is much more about starting and spreading fires than putting them out. I believe in fire. Fire is power,
Leadership Sparks the Fire Read More »
I was not very reflective by nature. I am an extrovert, more interested in talking to people than in reflecting. People fascinate me. I love irony, and I love words. My mind gets caught up in weighing all the aspects of a situation to resolve the issues and conflicts. There was so much to think
Appreciating My Own Reflection Read More »
Welcome to the new and improving StrategicMonk.com! People talk about launching a new website, as if it were like opening a brand new store or building a new house. I hope that StrategicMonk.com is more like something alive that grows and develops over time. As I learn and grow, and as Strategic Monk gives me
Growing and Changing Read More »
I am a morning person. It is not that I roll out of bed each day with a smile on my face and a song in my heart, or that I am overflowing with enthusiasm to begin each and every day as early as possible. I tend to be a quieter, more Midwestern morning person.
Leadership is an intimate relationship. Leadership is not about telling people what to do. Leaders do not live on a separate plane from the people they lead, sending them directions and motivation from a safe distance. Leaders do not manipulate people into doing what they want them to do. Leadership is not about image, or
Leadership is an Intimate Relationship Read More »
