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 …
In last week’s article I shared what Dr. Daniel Amen, a leading expert on brain health, says is an essential key to success – optimizing your brain’s health. Most of us too often take for granted our most powerful muscle and how it is affected by our daily habits and choices. While we might consider what that …
Over the past several years I have shared countless tips for achieving greater success, garnered from the insights, wisdom and life experiences of some of the world’s most successful people and organizations. But out of all of the strategies for success out there, I believe there is one simple truth that is often overlooked. Dr. …
“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” We’ve all heard that statement a time or two – we may have even said it a few times. But is it really true that tough times toughen you up? I believe there is much to be gained from facing challenges and overcoming hardships. But I also subscribe to …
I have often said, “If you don’t like your job, change it or change your attitude. Do something about it and stop complaining!” In today’s culture, it seems almost second nature to complain about your job – though we usually use a different label: “venting.” Many people complain or vent about their workload, they vent …
Virtually all people fear failure. A bitter irony is that for some, the fear of failure is so crippling that they fail to even try. If you lack the courage to even attempt something for fear you might fail, you’ve already failed. Others try, but after experiencing one or two failures, they do not …
We all know that our bodies need basic things on a daily basis in order to function. Without the critical necessities of oxygen, food, water, and rest, our bodies’ basic functions will quickly deteriorate or completely stop. Most of us are also aware that our bodies need more of some things and less of others …
Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President of the United States, was infamous for his taciturn ways, earning him the nickname “Silent Cal.” But Coolidge wasn’t quiet because he was extremely introverted or inarticulate – on the contrary, he was a highly visible President who entertained countless guests at the white house and proved to be a capable …