Thought For The Week
If I could write or take claim to a song about the courage of personal leadership, of all the songs I've heard and loved, I wish I could have written Nothing More by the Alternate Routes. There's a particular phrase in there that reads: Tell me what it is that you see...
An Opportunity to Lead an Extraordinary Life
Jacques Cousteau once said, “If you have the opportunity to lead an extraordinary life, you have no right to keep it to yourself.” Notice the words he used. He didn’t say, "if you have the opportunity to live an extraordinary life.” He didn’t say, “the opportunity to...
Thought For The Week: How Would You Have Answered?
Speaking at a conference last week, I had the opportunity to ask a room full of about eighty people the following question: Are you living an extraordinary life? Of the eighty, only about six people raised their hands. To the rest I then asked: What's the difference...
An Underused, Essential Tool for Leadership
This blog may read as trite at first, but I assure you it’s not. It’s an essential behavioral tool for your journey as a leader. That tool is this: Smile! Hear me out! Smiling breaks down more barriers and opens up more doors than any other tool in your toolbox....
Thought for the Week
As I travelled more than 5,000 miles over two weeks meeting and visiting with family old and new for our summer vacation, I came across this quote from Alice Walker and found it quite inspiring. Have you ever found yourself powerless? Hmmm, could this be the reason?...
Leaders MUST Be Able to S.A.I.L.
A point you may have heard me mention at one time or another is the need for leaders to S.A.I.L. That is: Situationally Adjust, Inspire and Learn! Like a sailboat needs wind, opposition, and challenge to sail, so do leaders. Our job as leaders is not to create a...
Thought For The Week: Forbes On Leadership
I discovered a really fascinating list on Forbes: 100 of the Best Quotes on Leadership. Some of them I agree with, some of them I don't, but it's definitely worth checking out. One of my favorites: "There are three essentials to leadership: humility, clarity and...
Your Leadership is YOURS
Leadership comes FROM you. Whether or not you’re a “leader” isn’t something bestowed upon you by someone with authority. It’s bestowed upon you by YOU. It can’t be granted like a degree or a certificate. Position, title… that can be granted. But can’t we all...
Thought For The Week: Conduct Vs. Language
Have you ever noticed, if someone has to tell you what they are - they aren't? Yeah, me too. "Conduct is more convincing than language." - 18th Century Cleric, John Woolman
Chandler's Smile: A Lesson In Authenticity
It’s an issue plaguing many an emerging (and current) leader: the issue of authenticity. How do you behave when you’re “on” as a leader versus when you’re “off”? Are you different people? For those of you who were fans of Friends, you’ll probably remember the...
