Within walking distance of my office are several delightful cafes, restaurants, and markets. One day after lunch I stopped by a small store across the plaza to get a drink. As I moved to pay, a remarkable work of art on the counter mesmerized me. It was the most beautiful… [Read more]
How to Take Time Off
I’ve seldom seen leaders properly take time off. I don’t mean the inability (or resistance) to take a vacation, but the way of going about it. The benefits of a leader effectively handling time away are considerable: Their team feels confident Their team performs at a high level The leader… [Read more]
Three Beliefs for Every Parent
When my daughter was twelve, she asked me to review her first meaningful English paper. Yes! I would put on my cape and strut some literary bling. I saw the future: the hallways at school no longer filled with talk of clothes or boys or unfair teachers, but of Dad’s… [Read more]
Five Steps to Help Others Grow
There are a few weeks each fall when I arrive home from work to a huge celebration. I’m greeted by a majestic bloom of confetti-like red leaves tossed high into the late afternoon sky by our row of Autumn Blaze Maple trees. Our driveway is the parade route and I’m… [Read more]
How to Make Readers Love Your Emails
The 2008 USA Olympic men’s 4×100 relay team was the first in history to have all runners on the team (including both alternates) run the open 100 meters in sub-10 seconds. Canada had none. Team USA was the favorite for gold. But with a dropped baton the USA never made… [Read more]
Why You Need a Peer Group
Well before dawn, I’m startled awake. I reach out to hit the snooze button and realize it’s frosty-cold. I snatch my arm back under the covers and try to convince myself it is just a bad dream. Then I remember that six other guys are doing the same thing at… [Read more]
Two Habits to Change Your Year
Would you like to be more satisfied in the new year? If so, don’t resolve to make better decisions. Instead, put in place better habits. As Charles Duhigg writes in The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business, “Most of the choices we make… [Read more]