He lay awake that night and thought about the irony of his situation. There were so many people who would give anything to be in his place, people who had carefully planned and diligently worked for years hoping to attain what he had just had handed to him. Though he accepted his sudden ‘good fortune,’ …
His dream was coming crashing down around him. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be; this wasn’t what he had worked so hard to achieve. From the time he was a little boy he had known he wanted to join the Navy. He had worked hard throughout school in order to have the grades …
The hostility of the crowd was almost palpable. The room was filled with scowls and angry mutters that escalated into full out boos and hisses as the congressman took the stage. His stomach turned as he approached the middle of the platform, and he took hold of the podium with both hands to still their …
Most of us, including me for sure, need to carefully think before we select and speak words. Words are far more powerful than we assume during a busy daily basis. Your words are very powerful, and will impact many around you, particularly those who are close to you. Your words will impact others…
...A young freshman cadet hurried down the hallway, running late for his next class at the military academy. Turning a corner, he suddenly collided with another student. Sprawled on the ground, he looked up and winced when he saw the derisive smirk on the face of the upperclassman he had just run into. As expected, …
In my newly released book Presidential Leadership: Learning from United States Presidential Libraries & Museums, I share inspiring stories that highlight the leadership strengths of some of the world’s most influential leaders – former U.S. Presidents. Today I want to share some characteristics of inspirational leaders along with a selection of quotes that appear in …
>>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…
...There are many advantages and disadvantages of ‘running with the pack.’ Just a few of the many perceived advantages include encouragement, protection, pacing, conserving energy by drafting, knowing the position and potential strategies of competitors, and avoiding risk. The most highly successful participants, in sports and in all areas of life, run with the pack …
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 …
Today’s article is the ninth in a series learning from the book by Paul Smith, Lead With A Story: A Guide to Crafting Business Narratives that Captivate, Convince, and Inspire. In chapters 15 and 16, the author provides excellent advice and riveting stories that leaders can use to motivate, inspire, and build courage among team members …
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 …
Today’s article is the eighth in a series learning from the book by Paul Smith, Lead With A Story: A Guide to Crafting Business Narratives that Captivate, Convince, and Inspire. In chapter 14, the author tells an impactful story about a talented and highly successful CFO named Sara who, along with her team, completed a company-wide, …
Today’s article is the sixth in a series learning from the book by Paul Smith, Lead With A Story: A Guide to Crafting Business Narratives that Captivate, Convince, and Inspire. In chapter 9, Smith does an excellent job of making the case that company values, explained and frequently reinforced by memorable stories, are far more effective …
Today’s article is the fifth in a series learning from the book by Paul Smith, Lead With A Story: A Guide to Crafting Business Narratives that Captivate, Convince, and Inspire. The book is available wherever bestselling books are sold. In chapter six, titled “Define Customer Service Success and Failure,” Paul Smith does an excellent job of …
Today’s article is the fourth in a series learning from the book by Paul Smith, Lead With A Story: A Guide to Crafting Business Narratives that Captivate, Convince, and Inspire. The book is available wherever bestselling books are sold. What if, following a meeting and discussion with your team, each member sought you out or sent …
Today’s article is the third in a series learning from the book by Paul Smith, Lead With A Story: A Guide to Crafting Business Narratives that Captivate, Convince, and Inspire. In chapter two, titled “Set a Vision for the Future,” Smith recounts a modified version of the well-known folktale of a woman asking three different construction-site …