I just finished listening to Malcolm Gladwell’s latest audiobook and I highly recommend it, for a number of reasons. Least among them is the fact that this was the first audiobook I’ve ever listened to that wasn’t first a print book that was simply read into audio form, but instead Read more…
Someone asked me the other day what the “culture” of a company referred to. Immediately I felt like giving them St. Augustine’s definition of time: “As long as you don’t ask me what it is, I know; as soon as you ask me, I don’t.” For me, culture is a Read more…
Most of us have at least heard of the Japanese Martial Art named Aikido. One of its main principles is the use of an attacker’s momentum against them. This allows much smaller and physically weaker practitioners to best much larger and stronger opponents who rely on brute strength alone. Well, Read more…
I was chatting with a client who asked me this question: “Hey, why are you always talking about emotions and how to deal with them? Shouldn’t an executive coach talk more about things like productivity, and time management and goal setting?” First of all, upon reflection, I am guilty as Read more…
Something interesting happened to me the other day. I received a rather peculiar request, out of the blue, by a prospective client. There was nothing inherently wrong with the request — it didn’t violate any core principles or values of mine; it just struck me as a bit bizarre. My Read more…
I’ve been reading pretty extensively about the period leading up to and following the Second World War. One idea keeps coming back again and again: The sheer power of a few people’s beliefs was able to radically and irrevocably change the world. Few of us would doubt the power of Read more…
We have all seen the Snickers commercial: “You’re not yourself when you’re hungry!” We have all experienced times when losing it emotionally at work or in our personal lives has cost us. I can think of more than a few. But now, it seems that everywhere I turn, I hear Read more…
Being “results-focused” is one of the absolute badges of honor in any organization. We all want results, accomplishment, to get things done. No one wants to be the air-brained, constantly distracted, perpetually unfocused, time-wasting team member that never gets anything done, right? But, what if the most damaging thing you Read more…
“Embrace the hurt, people! Love the burn! No pain, no gain!” Once again, I asked myself why I paid good money for people to devise creative ways to subject me to sheer agony. Grace was the W.O.D. or “workout of the day” (with no relation with the theological concept). I Read more…
In the Christian tradition, Christmas is the celebration of God’s gift of himself to us as a little child. This is a gift of love. As I reflect over this past year (as I often do at this time), I have recognized a special lesson that I have learned this Read more…