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 …
Every leader receives critique. Some leaders appreciate it, some dread it, and some resent it – but every good leader needs it. In order to truly achieve leadership excellence, you need to learn, grow, mature, develop, and improve as a leader, and one of the best tools for accomplishing this is critique. Without …
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 …
I was recently privileged to conduct an extensive, one-on-on live interview with Mike Williams, President and CEO of Community Hospital Corporation (CHC). 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. In response to a …
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 …
Persian poet and mystic Jalal ad-Din Rumi, who lived in the 13th century, is credited with first writing, “Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.” Though they may be listed as synonyms in a thesaurus, there is a significant difference between …
Virtually all “leadership experts and gurus,” having studied countless leadership traits, qualities and characteristics as well as having examined countless real-life examples of leadership strengths and weaknesses, come to the conclusion that integrity is one of those foundational leadership qualities that other important traits are built upon. If an individual lacks integrity – if they lack …
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 …
In a brief audio clip featured by Success Video, John Maxwell shares two practices leaders should enact in order to make themselves more effective and productive: Stop making excuses. Understand the secret of your success is determined by your daily agenda. Maxwell is passionate about the importance of eliminating excuses. While he acknowledges that in …
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 …
You’ve likely heard it said, “Leadership is all about influence.” I have always agreed with this statement, and have said it myself countless times! I have also said, “Everybody is a leader.” I truly believe that. Think about it – everybody, no matter who they are, influences other people. Whether it’s a CEO with a …
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 …
Many virtues mark the life of a great leader. Integrity, ambition, vision, and empathy are just a few. But perhaps most important of all virtues is courage, because without the courage to hold fast, the demonstration of these other virtues is sporadic at best. Author, poet and performer Maya Angelou expressed this conviction when she …
Co-authors Linda Hill and Kent Lineback shared some valuable leadership advice from their book, Being the Boss: The 3 Imperatives for Becoming a Great Leader, during a recent HBR Video IdeaCast. In addition to discussing the importance of cultivating strong networks, Hill addressed the question, “What happens if you’re a competent jerk?” She explained that when you …
In his recent blog post titled, “12 Ways to Know if You Are a Leader,” Michael Hyatt asserts that while he believes everybody has the potential to be a leader, not everyone is a leader. Based on nearly 40 years of personal experience, I believe many healthcare ‘leaders,’ particularly those at the director, senior director and VP level, may …
Famous theologian, philosopher and physician Albert Schweitzer once said,“Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate.” What a poetic way to express such a universal truth! Few would argue with the idea that kindness can accomplish what little else can. Genuine acts of kindness and …