Enjoy the following two non-fictional accounts of frogs:

Story 1:  Four frogs were happily hopping down a dusty dirt road on their way to the neighborhood playground.  One of the […]

Climbing out of a rut is most difficult when you are in a rut.  Redundant?  Not so fast.

We soak up and spew motivational quotes, optimism, and philosophies of action […]

(Revised version of Comfort Zone: The Birthplace of Success)

I want to debunk one of the more prominent motivational metaphors . . .

“Success exists outside […]

You are on a staircase of an MC Escher painting.  Your environment is reasonable at a glance but illogical upon inspection.  

Define “success”

Your definition reflects your philosophy of […]

I’m questioning the function of my professional network.

Here is why:

I was recently blessed to participate in a year-long leadership program with a group of tremendously […]

“Keep your core tight!” 

At the tail-end of a group aerobic workout, each of us are writhing in pain and bargaining with the devil for more energy […]

Defining success is elusive.

Although we struggle to define what success is, conventional wisdom assures us that it is located “up” there – up the ladder, on the mountain […]

Read a book and you consume the thoughts created by its author.

Listen to music and you consume the art created by the musicians.

The distinction between “consuming” and […]

“Think outside of the box” – labeling this adage as a cliche is so cliche.

The unintended consequence of this motivational poster slogan is the devaluation of the […]

We are pattern recognition experts.  All of us.  Give yourself a trophy for it.  However, patterns breed expectations and predictions which in turn breed assumptions whose kindred […]

Noise . . .

Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” blasted at 140 dB (audible noise)

A concentrated blast of a skunk’s defensive aroma. (olfactory noise)

Trust Intelligence?  Yes, I thought of it yesterday – and now it exists.

Trust can be binary (“I trust him or I do not”) in our most intimate […]

“What makes a good leader?”

I am amazed how often people, from egghead college professors to knucklehead junior ROTC pups, have passionate opinions on the “correct” answer.

I humbly […]

I don’t like the show “Undercover Boss.” I am not impressed that CEOs learn about their frontline employees because a gimmicky reality show pays them to do […]

Consider a fifth grade test question:  (Note 1)

“Name two facts about George Washington” (2 pts)

Little Billy Smith’s answer:

1. He […]

Consider:

“A leader with a track record of success, marked by an extraordinary ability to improve efficiency, profit margins, and […]

Have you played this delightful game?

Q: Where do you want to eat?

A: I don’t know, what do you know want? I don’t know, […]

I was listening to the iconic “Piano Man” for the thousandth time, when a lyric hit me in the gut like a Mike Tyson.uppercut.

As a young grasshopper, I was advised: (hat tip: Captain Ken Swan)

“People do not care how much you know, until they know how […]

Friday Frivolity: Three essential messages

———————————————–

To: The Steve Jobs, the Michael Jordan, the Michelangelo of packaging technology.

You are a master of […]

“Conventional wisdom” . . . . a generally accepted theory or belief

Is deferring to conventional wisdom wise? Yes . . . ish

Why do you get the oil […]

The following statements are true:

– You are blessed with the immeasurably awesome gift of life

– You have a finite number of days remaining […]

Little Johnny’s report card:  Math: A,  Science: A,  Reading: C,  Writing: B

Which of these subjects do you place the greatest emphasis?  Studies show that parents with a […]

You possess an unlimited number of talents, but before these talents will emerge from the shadows, you must first “get the suck out.”  

The amount of “suck” […]

I don’t like the show “Undercover Boss.” I am not impressed that CEOs learn about their frontline employees because a gimmicky reality show pays them to do […]