In today’s very competitive business environment, we hear so much about the need to adapt to change that it often falls on deaf ears. We’ve heard it all before and too many times to take seriously. However, this has been the case for centuries, and yet we never seem to learn. For example, let me…
Last year I reviewed Thomas Friedman’s best seller The World Is Flat to add to our ever-growing list of book reviews on our web site. Friedman does a great job of explaining globalization and how it will impact all of us in one way or another in the very near future—if it hasn’t already. In…
This “classic” goes back a few years but certainly hasn’t lost its punch. In fact, it’s very pertinent in today’s environment. It’s not only appropriate for “future leaders” but should most definitely be revisited by anyone focusing on making a difference today. “Making Your Waves Amid the Tides” by Anonymous We are all a bit like…
Last month I wrote a column about the sad state of affairs when it comes to lost luggage (“Limp the Unfriendly Skies“). We received a nice note from one of our readers asking if the situation was really that bad. In that article I was sharing figures from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics—I wasn’t sharing…
From the Ozark Mountains to the streets of the Big Apple to Music City USA, the quest for creativity becomes more evident with each passing day. Jim Clifton, CEO of the Gallup Organization, which provides management consulting for 300+ companies says, “To stay competitive, we have to have to lead the world in per-person creativity.” Tom…
Life is often ironic. I’m sitting at my computer looking out my window at the scenic fall vista we’re currently blessed with. Gentle warm breezes caress the trees as the bright autumn sun reflects off the glassy surface of the lake like sapphires. Days like this were made for strolling through the silent woods as…
Here’s a classic that has been around for what seems like forever. However, it’s also a thought-provoking prescription that can be as powerful today as it was when it was written. The next time you’re experiencing a stressful day, pause for a moment to contemplate this powerful strategy. By the way, don’t forget that the…
As you gather with friends, family, co-workers and loved ones this week to celebrate this annual international event you may want to reflect on the humble beginnings of this renowned holiday. Yes, it’s true. We’re in the midst of the official Customer Service Week as proclaimed by the U.S. Congress in 1992 as a nationally…
Here’s a time-honored “gem” that should be revisited regularly by any “future leader” who strives to grow in this era of constant change and challenge. “The Parable of the Pebbles” by Anonymous A man was out in the desert when a voice said to him, “Pick up some pebbles and put them in your pocket, and…