As my team and I have been gearing up for the launch of our new America’s Healthcare Leaders (AHL) membership site, I have been honored to interview so many great healthcare leaders throughout America. As I’ve spoken with these incredible men and women, some of the questions I’ve asked have been about what they look …
Have you ever had one of those days where you just feel grumpy all day for no good reason? Every little thing frustrates you and makes you grumpier. The glass is persistently half empty, and the look affixed to your face does not reflect sunshine and butterflies. I think we all have those days …
It’s hard to believe we’re three quarters of the way to a new year already. I don’t know about you, but I feel like every year I live is a little shorter than the last one. They just keep flying by! While most people begin reflecting on the year a little closer to December, …
I have no problem admitting that I’m not perfect. There are countless things I don’t do well, and I know I have many personal flaws—just like everyone else. I’m not perfect. You’re not perfect. No one is perfect. But sometimes, without even realizing it, we expect perfection from others. Unvoiced Expectations If you’ve been …
Comparison. It’s an all too common trap we all fall into throughout our lives. From the time we’re young children, we inevitably compare ourselves—our looks, smarts, talents, belongings, circumstances, etc.—to others. Falling into the Comparison Trap Falling into this comparison trap tends to have one of two outcomes: 1) we don’t measure up, so …
Integrity is one of those words or catchphrases that gets thrown around excessively, especially in connection with leaders and leadership. We like to hear that leaders have integrity—whether they are business leaders, political leaders, community leaders, church leaders, or anyone. Integrity matters to us and I would venture to guess that most of us …
When you picture success, what does it look like? If you were to identify someone you know who you consider to be very successful, what is it that makes him or her successful in your eyes? A nice house, great job, big paycheck, fancy car, good health, Ivy League education, country club membership, exotic vacations, …
The need to “believe in yourself” is a pretty common sentiment in our culture and society these days. From the childhood “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can” mantra of The Little Engine That Could, to the more grown-up definitions of self-belief and self-confidence, believing in oneself is considered quite …
Most of us have suffered under poor leadership at some point in our lives. Whether a boss, a coach, or even a parent, it’s a sad reality that poor leadership tends to be more prevalent than great leadership. But when we do experience great leadership, it leaves an impression. Think of a great …
Do you remember counting down to your birthday, Christmas, or summer vacation with so much excitement and anticipation that you drove your parents crazy? As a kid, there was always something to look forward to. The school bell at the end of the day. A family vacation to the beach. Getting your own room. Learning to …
Think about it. America has many issues, problems, and challenges. Yet several billion people—yes, billion with a B—would literally give anything and everything they have in order to live in America! We are blessed in a million different ways. Have a wonderful holiday weekend. And Happy Birthday America the Beautiful!
...Our past experiences increase our knowledge and skill, build our credibility, and create the foundation for who we are today. There is no denying that what we have done and what we are currently doing is highly relevant and important to who we are. But something else critically important to our identity is where we …
It is amazing how much the world has changed during my lifetime. There continues and will always continue to be change—every year, every month, every day. Hand in hand with the incredible social transformation of the past several decades are the changes and advancements in technology. It may be hard to believe, but that …
Have you ever felt like you just couldn’t do something? That the odds were too great, the challenge too big, or your ability too small? I know I have. I think we all feel that way at some point in our lives. But when I lack confidence in my ability to tackle a challenge, it’s …
I read an article by Jeff Goins awhile back that really resonated with me. In it he shared how his plans to become a professional musician fell through. He explained, “Before I could learn what was the right path for me, I had to get good enough at music to realize it wasn’t my true …
I recently came across an article titled “The Very Best Way to Manage Female Employees.” Intrigued, I checked it out. The author of the article, Jeff Haden, began by describing his experience attending a conference breakout session, an executive seminar, and a Master’s level leadership class all in the same week. Each event imparted guidance …
Wally Blume did pretty well for himself after college. The discipline and solid work ethic ingrained in him by his parents served him well, and for two decades he enjoyed a comfortable career in the grocery business with the Kroger Company. Starting out as a store co-manager, by the age of thirty he was promoted …
Maria Ninfa Rodriquez—who went by her middle name, Ninfa—was born in 1924 in Harlingen, Texas, along the Mexico border. One of twelve children, she grew up in a humble Catholic family who grew and raised their own food, living modestly but happily. In 1945 Ninfa married the love of her life, “D.T.” Laurenzo, and …
Dorothy Winn grew up in the 1950s as the eldest of twelve children. A family of migrant workers, the Winns traveled from crop to crop, everyone working to put food on the table. Life was a bitter struggle to survive each day in order to work the next. To make their situation even worse, …
Jacquie grew up in a loving, hard-working southern family. Though money was often scarce, her close-knit family enjoyed the simple things in life and they got by well enough. However, due to her family’s financial situation, as the eldest child Jacquie knew college wasn’t an option for her. So after high school graduation she married …