Find Your Legacy
A tearful morning and an inspiring walk
Waking up this morning, October 2, 2017 I was floored by the reports of the mass shooting last night in Las Vegas. “Mass shooting”, “lone gunman,” fifty dead,” automatic weapon,” “innocent concert goers,” high capacity clips,” senseless violence,” and may other headlines filled the news this morning. Filled with shock, anger and deep sadness I […]
Leading in Uncertain Times
Over the past few years I have had the chance to work with a wide variety of executives across a range of companies and industries. Ranging in size from an emerging technology startup to a multi-billion $ global bio-tech leader, each of the engagements have been unique and challenging experiences, each with unique situations/dynamics that […]
“Grit”… a Foundation for Leaders
Almost three years ago, I wrote an essay titled “The Importance of Grit”(http://ift.tt/2vMct2q) , where I discussed the work that Professor Angela Duckworth had done on the role of “Grit” vs. IQ as a predictor of academic success in students. In that essay, I suggested that this concept of “Grit” not only rang home for me […]
Look through the “other” end of the telescope …
Across the business landscape there are headlines every day of companies realigning or restructuring their operating models to meet changing competitive challenges. In some instances it is a retailer closing unprofitable stores, in another it may be a manufacturing entity consolidating their supply chain to improve efficiency and quite literally the list goes on and […]
Our Actions Betray our Intent
I have been thinking about this topic for a number of years, and recently in my consulting practice, I have had a series of conversations with a number of clients/leaders across varied industries, organizations and roles where this theme continues to resonate. The dynamic of an organization or a leader’s “words” communicating one set of […]
The “Treasure” of old friends
Last week I went on one of my “pilgrimages” back to Appleton Wisconsin, where I began by career when I went to work as a young marketer at Kimberly Clark in 1985. As is my way, I visited a number of my “old haunts,” including Jacobs Market (a magnificent butcher shop), City Park (across the […]
Good Ideas Executed Brilliantly!
We live in a period of history where there are a lot of cutting edge, industry changing, “brilliant” strategies or innovations that are hitting the B2C and B2B landscapes. I am literally writing this essay on a west coast flight, on my laptop connected to my Gmail account and listening to music on my I-Phone… […]
Breakfast with Cicero
Well once again I have been blown away by a small early morning experience at the 24th St. Café in Bakersfield California. In a recent essay, I talked about lessons of business and life that I learned from a conversation with a funeral home director at the counter of this same restaurant (http://ift.tt/2oLhLb8) and now […]
E/S/S: a model for decision-making and growth
I have had the fortune to know a number of very talented executives who have build significant careers in the non-profit sector. Ranging from global broad ranging foundations, to national health issue/disease state organizations, to local groups working on providing food to those in need, I have been inspired by the work of these individuals […]
Lessons from a Bakersfield Funeral Home
Its amazing at times to reflect on all the unusual/unexpected/unplanned and unintended sources of learning and inspiration that have been part of my life’s journey! From errant cabdrivers, fellow airline passengers, an aging “dancer,” and literally the list of unusual sources of inspiration go on and on! Once again, my list of “sources of inspiration” […]