What Speaks to Me

Contrary to what we read on Facebook or see on Snapchat or other social media, everything is not always unicorns and lollipops.   Everyone is happy to share the good news... Can you really blame them?  Good news is fun to share, it makes people happy.  It lightens peoples days.  Why wouldn't you want to share the good news.   One thing that makes genuine people and genuine leaders stand out is those that can share the bad news as well.  I am certainly not suggesting everyone runs out and begins posting a bunch of negativity or bad news.  In fact, often bad news really is best delivered through a conversation.  But rest assured, we all need to hear hard things.  Even if they are uncomfortable to deliver or to receive.  The beauty of hearing the bad things is that we can process them and improve ourselves, our business and our environment by taking the information as a building block for what's next. 2018-Mar-15

As I sat with my son a few weeks ago and planted seeds as starters for our 2018 garden, several thoughts ran through my head... 1. New year, new season, new growth.  It is amazing to me that you can literally take a tiny seed and it will grow into something that you can enjoy for months!  This obviously doesn't just apply to plants.  It applies to ideas, thoughts, opportunities, you name it. 2.  You have to plan.  Start with the end in mind.  Plan out what you want your outcome to look like and get things in place to make sure you will achieve that end.   3.  You have to prepare.  The only way to have starter plants for a garden is to get the seeds planted early.  Perform the work upfront and in time to meet your goals! 4.  You have to cultivate.  Make sure the ground is ready for what you will be planting.  Remove debris, prepare the soil, keep weeds at bay and make sure you water!  In b...

This phrase has really stuck with me.  I came across it in a book recently, First, Fast, Fearless: How to Lead like a Navy SEAL by Brian "Iron Ed" Hiner.  It is the response Ken Blanchard, famous leader of leaders, used when describing to others why he always writes with coauthors.  By expanding your views, knowledge and ideas through those of others, you will always be able to learn. I have really found a passion for reading.  As a kid, I literally only read when it was required of me.  I always had preferred to do ANYTHING over reading.  The crux that changed it for me was that I married a reader.  My wife taught me that reading can be enjoyable.  I don't like every author I read but I still get something from every book I read.  Many of the titles I read come from recommendations, others  My latest conquests included: Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World by General Stanley McChrystal - Great context ...

Take time to learn.  There is something new each and every day.  Through classes, books, or simple conversation there are always nuggets to grab. Pick them up. Carry them with you. Pass them along. 2018-Feb-05