There are a lot of things in this world over which we have little or no control. We have little, and many times no control over weather, some illnesses, traffic, the attitudes and actions of other people, and the cost of necessities such as fuel and groceries. The reality is that sometimes, a significant …
Whenever you first begin a new pursuit, whether it’s building a new business, working on an advanced degree, changing careers, training for an athletic event, or anything else, it’s easy to get discouraged when you think about how many steps are involved and how far away your goal appears to be. I believe that …
While we all appreciate hearing the words, “Thank you,” the value of this simple phrase can vary greatly from one utterance to another. We all know that when those words pass some lips, they mean very little, while those same words can mean the world coming from someone else. Context matters greatly when it comes …
Whether it’s a presentation to a conference room full of senior executives, a speech to a crowd of your peers, a blog article on an important topic, or a book that just went to press – whenever we “put ourselves out there,” we tend to hold our breath and wait for the feedback. Every …
Twentieth century American philosopher Will Durant succinctly distilled a thought from the work of Aristotle in two short sentences: “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” I have long believed in the power of habit. If you really stop to think about it, you’ll be …
We all like to get out of something as much or more than what we put into it. When we work hard, we expect to receive fair compensation, respect and appreciation. When we sow seeds, we anticipate reaping the harvest. So naturally, when there’s not enough to go around, we each worry about our fair …
If you’re like me, the word stamina brings to mind physical energy and athletic ability. It’s that physical drive that enables a person to push their body’s limits, stave off exhaustion, and just keep going. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have as much physical strength and stamina as I’d like. Even though I …
You might be wondering what lessons from the plains of Africa could possibly be relevant to you and your organization! Well, I believe in making every experience a learning experience. If you pay attention, business, leadership and success lessons can be learned in the most unlikely places. You might just be surprised by what can …
A recent issue of The Modern Servant Leader blog (http://modernservantleader.com) featured an article by Benjamin Lichtenwalner asking readers to think about whether they are a climber or a contributor. This is an excellent question worthy of careful thought, conclusions and appropriate actions! Which are you, a climber or a contributor? The honest truth will …
I have always been a people watcher. Not in an inappropriate way – I simply like to spend my time in a crowd noticing the details of that crowd. Whether sitting in my favorite coffee shop, strolling through a museum, or relaxing in a park, I keep my eyes open for interesting people. It might …
Inspiration is more than motivation. Inspiration is greater and more powerful than motivation. A person can be motivated by a number of factors. Fear is a common motivator, and so is money or other rewards. Guilt, or a sense of duty or obligation can also be a motivator. Inspiration, however, is birthed from …
An article written by Michael Hess for CBS Money Watch serves as a reminder that customer service really is not customer service when done begrudgingly. In the article, If You Do Something For A Customer, Do It Happily, Hess relates a story about a very poor customer service experience that could have been completely different had …
I have long admired the leadership and wisdom of General Colin Powell. I had the privilege several years ago to spend about thirty minutes alone with the General, and my positive perception and respect for him did not diminish one bit – in fact, it increased exponentially! Here is a man who not only possesses …
Gratitude is a truly refreshing sentiment. We all enjoy being the recipients of genuine gratitude – it feels good to be recognized and appreciated! But more than receiving gratitude, I think nothing does the soul more good than feeling and expressing heartfelt thankfulness. Think about it, when we are truly grateful toward others, when we …
I recently wrote down something Michael Hyatt said and with which I absolutely agree: “There is no failure unless I quit.” I’ve written on this topic several times, including an article just a few months ago titled The True Definition of Failure, but I believe in this concept so strongly that I can’t help but revisit it, particularly …
“As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” ~ Audrey Hepburn This week I am reminded of and moved by this truth in action. In the midst of tragedy, thousands of ordinary people across the nation have reached out in simple …
One of the most successful men I have ever met passed away on November 28, 2012. Zig Ziglar was 86 years old. Zig had a powerful, positive and enduring impact on the lives of hundreds of thousands of people over the course of his life. Among other things, Zig was a best selling author, …
John Stumpf is CEO of Wells Fargo, one of the largest and most successful international banks in the world. Stumpf was recently quoted in Fortune Magazine saying, “We could leave our strategic plan on an airplane, and it wouldn’t matter. It’s all about execution.” At first thought, Stumpf’s statement seems somewhat simplistic and even …
Talking about writing his first book, Michael Hyatt relates a personal story of rejection and disappointment. A dream that began with hope, excitement, and eager anticipation gradually turned sour as publisher after publisher rejected his book proposal. If you’ve ever set out on a journey to try something new only to find the path …
It was my privilege to recently interview Mike Williams. Williams has served as President and CEO of Community Hospital Corporation (CHC) since its inception in 1996. Based in Plano, Texas, CHC offers practical solutions for community hospitals to help improve effectiveness, efficiency, quality, and financial stability, while preserving and protecting community control of the hospital. Williams’ commitment …