For longer than I can remember, I have been taught that we succeed through working hard. Hard work is in the basic fabric of our culture. We live in the land of opportunity, where everyone can work hard and succeed. Thomas Edison said that genius is one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration. We believe […]
Working Hard, or Hardly Working? Read More »
There are people who think that the most valuable skill a leader can have is thinking strategically. Leaders need to set goals, then plan the steps it will take to achieve those goals. Other people think that, more than anything else, leaders need to be able to communicate. A strong leader has a unique vision,
Leadership is About Building Potential Read More »
This weekend I am going to spend some time in the powerful present moment. It is easy for me to forget how much I need and appreciate the present moment. There are so many pieces of the past competing for the focus of my heart and my mind. Memories and regrets, people with whom I
The Powerful Present Moment Read More »
I love my work. No, really. I have done work that I did not love. Motivated by stubbornness, anger, fear, or insecurity, I have worked in positions and with organizations that were not good for me. I have done work that did not feed my soul because I was too asleep to myself to know
1. Leadership and the Olympics both combine and balance competition and cooperation. 2. The person out in front of the pack is not always the strongest leader. 3. Leaders bring out the best in the people around them in the same way the Olympics does. 4. Leadership and the Olympics both require a tremendous amount of
12 Ways Leadership is Like the Olympics Read More »
The moment of maximum potential is when the skaters are lined up, just after the word “Set!” It is when the snowboarder or ski jumper first leaves the frozen surface to fly through the air. It is the moment just before the figure skater touches the ice again. It is the moment the puck leaves
Moments of Maximum Potential Read More »
There are days when I am not sure what I am building. I do not always have a clear view of the plans and blueprints. I may not remember what I am supposed to be doing, or why I am doing it. It feels like I am working on one of those cathedrals; not because
Building For the Long Run Read More »
The game, with all those extremely expensive ads, is over. After hours and hours and hours of talking, the game did not go quite as expected. After all that effort, planning, preparation, and practice, one team was able to execute more effectively than all the others. Now what? Now is when leadership kicks into another
Leadership After the Game Read More »
The neighbors are moving away. They were the neighbors because they lived next door. They said hello, exchanged pleasantries, wrangled packages that were delivered during the day. I know most of the people who live in the building by face, though not by name. I do not really know anything about them, though I can
Are You My Neighbor? Read More »
The way we see our work is shaped by the Industrial Revolution. I was taught that real work is what people would not do unless someone pays them to do it. I was taught that work is measured in the hours it takes to produce a specific result. Work is about building so many cars
Work is More Than Getting Things Done Read More »
