Leadership and life lessons from 30+ years in the trenches.
“The sky is falling! The sky is falling!” Those words from Chicken Little seem to have taken on a life of their own in today’s economic climate. It seems no matter where you turn, there is one crisis after another. If we were to run our businesses based solely upon the news we see on the plethora of channels, websites …
I had an editor that worked for me who was as “old school” as they came. He believed in such things as the “inverted pyramid,” concise leads, and newspapers are to be printed on paper, not posted online. At the time — the mid 1990’s — he had a lot of company in his assessments, especially when it came to the …
Do you live “above the line?” It is a fair question for anyone. In order to answer the question, a definition may be necessary. People who live above the line are open, curious, and committed to learning. People who live below the line are closed, defensive, and committed to being right. People who live above the line take personal responsibility. …
I wrote a blog post several years ago asking the question, “Why would you want to work for me?” At the time, we were looking for some top-notch talent for our team. I received a lot of positive feedback, but the market was not at a place where there was a lot of great talent available. In recent months, I …
“Are you a preacher, sir?” the voice at the end of the aisle asked me. “Uh, no.” was the best response I could give on such short notice. I can see where the mistake could be made. After all, I was in a Christian book store. I was wearing a shirt and tie. I was mumbling to myself – (OK, …
Being intentional has become a “buzzphrase” of sorts, especially in leadership. However, acting on that phrase is a lot more difficult (at least initially) than it sounds. At one time, I had the privilege of hosting a church life group in our home. During one of our meetings, we discussed “meditating on God’s word.” Blessed is the one who does not …
Do you think you are a knucklehead? Maybe others think that about you. Either way, I have good news — there is hope for you. A little “Knucklehead” History… In my late teens and early 20s, my “knuckleheadedness” was in full motion. I was irresponsible, short-sighted and somewhat arrogant. Each weekend meant consuming too much alcohol, spending too much money and …
For the past 20+ years, I have read (and written) editorials about voter turnout. Sometimes, I try to play on the patriotism of the voter, reminding readers how men and women died for their right (and obligation) to vote. Other editorials try to use hyperbole or strong-armed persuasion to hopefully entice a non-voting voter into one who heads to the polls. …
