During a phone conversation with one of my colleagues this week, I jokingly said, “I’m unteachable—especially when it’s something I don’t like doing!” We both had a good laugh about my playful stubbornness, but there was some truth in that statement:
It’s hard to be teachable when you don’t really want to learn what’s being taught.
Not long after our conversation ended..
...Congratulations to the three lucky winners of the book giveaway! Each winner will be contacted by email and then sent their free autographed copy of my new book, Presidential Leadership: Learning from United States Presidential Libraries & Museums.
The three winners, selected by luck of the draw, are…
...>>Today I’m giving away three copies of my newly released book, Presidential Leadership: Learning from United States Presidential Libraries & Museums! For details, please see the end of this article.
My new book, Presidential Leadership, is a testament to my long-held belief in the power and importance of leadership excellence. I also believe that one essential element of leadership excellence is being an inspirational leader.
There is no motivating factor as powerful as…
...My new book, Presidential Leadership: Learning from United States Presidential Libraries & Museums is published and available on Amazon! Here are a few things people are saying: “Should you not have the time, energy, or money to travel to the presidential libraries and museums around the country, reading Dan Nielsen’s book is …
This week I want to share an excerpt from my book, Presidential Leadership: Learning from United States Presidential Libraries & Museums. The story below can be found in chapter 11, where I highlight selected leadership strengths of former United States President George H. W. Bush through true historical narrative: “One of the first major …
Franklin D. Roosevelt had plenty of excuses that he could have used to justify taking the easy route and avoiding risk. But he needed no excuses, because he did not take the easy route, and he embraced risk as the welcome companion to opportunity. When struck with a debilitating disease at the age …
Abraham Lincoln is one of the most highly respected and admired leaders in history. His example of strong but gentle leadership has been studied and applauded for generations.
When I reached the chapter about Lincoln in my writing of the book Presidential Leadership: Learning from United States Presidential Libraries & Museums (available October 1st!), I didn’t know where to start. There was so much to say. Which leadership strengths should I focus on? What angle should I take? How do I pick?!
As I considered the possibilities and dug into my research, I happened across…
...Regardless of political party and certainly many personal, professional, and organizational weaknesses, each and every former President of the United States achieved the most powerful, prestigious and influential leadership position in the world!
They overcame many weaknesses, mistakes, and perceived limitations. They focused on…
...It is amazing, the number of people whose actions clearly state, “if you don’t start, you can’t fail.”
Remember, actions speak far louder than words. Via their daily actions, a huge portion of the world’s population consistently act out their belief that, “If you don’t start, you can’t fail.”
They are wrong—dead wrong! Best selling author Seth Godin recently wrote this in his blog…
...We’ve all had skeptics in our lives. Whether it was a sibling, parent, classmate, coworker, boss, spouse, or a complete stranger—you’ve probably had someone say to you, “You can’t…” or “That will never work…” or “It won’t last…” or some other variation of doubt and skepticism.
Some people are crushed by these kinds of naysayers and let these words of doubt extinguish their dreams. But other people—and I’d consider myself one of these—take skepticism as a challenge…
...“Inside every impossible is the word ‘possible’… if only we dare to see it.”
– Lysa TerKeurst
Have you ever been told something was impossible? Have you ever told yourself that something was impossible? Whether it was loudmouthed naysayers or your own quiet doubts, I’m guessing you’ve probably been there before. We all have.
Think back over your life and career…
...I have long been interested in achieving greater success and helping others to do the same – however each person defines success. I am blessed to have achieved significant success in my life – I have a loving family and great friends, I am financially comfortable, I am still in good health, and I am able to pursue many things that I am passionate about, like travel, photography, writing and speaking. If that’s not success, I don’t know what is!
Even though I am not discontent with my life and success, I still desire to challenge myself…
...In his superb best selling book titled The Greatest Success in the World, Og Mandino wrote about the critical and life-long importance of work and labor. The book includes ten excellent and forever enduring Commandments of Success. The First Commandment of Success begins as follows: “THOU MUST LABOR EACH DAY AS IF THY …
Imagine that you are facing a field full of targets. In your hand is a bow and arrow. You put your arrow in place, raise your bow, steady your arm, draw back, and release. Oh wait, I forgot to tell you to aim! Without aiming, it’s definitely possible that you’ll hit one of …
Some people insist “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” No matter how many times and how many ways that worn out old saying has been disproven, many people still believe it. “I’m too old.” “He’s way too stubborn!” “She’s just set in her ways.” “I couldn’t change if you paid me.” “Why worry …
I was only a few pages into the book, and I’d already highlighted dozens of excellent quotes when I was stopped in my tracks by this eight-word statement: “We honor people when we honor their time.” Though I was eager to keep reading Ken Blanchard and Mark Miller’s powerful little business fable, …
When it comes to work and to life, I believe cooperation wins over competition any day. Even so, a little competition or friendly rivalry can be a good thing, if you channel it right. While unhealthy competition can derail focus, lead to discord, and – depending on perceived “winner” – result in either …
“The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; the wise grows it under his feet.” ~James Openheim Happiness is a choice. I believe happiness is an attitude, not a state of being. And just as we can choose our attitude, we can choose to be happy. It’s not always easy, but I do …
There’s no denying that the world is a crazy, fast-paced place, and it only seems to get more chaotic with each passing week! What seems safe, secure, and dependable one day may be gone the next. Unfortunately, we cannot plan for every conceivable misfortune, and we would wear ourselves out if we tried! …
I am a person of confidence. I have come a long way, overcome many challenges, and met with a lot of success in my life. I’m not boasting by any means – I certainly have made more than my fair share of mistakes, and there are a million things I know that I’m not …