When a ball has to drop, make sure it’s the right one
Have you ever felt like you spend your life juggling? Family, work, friendships, health, and simple daily commitments all demand our attention. It seems that the only way to satisfy all the demands is to frantically juggle them, hoping that nothing important gets dropped. But how do you determine what’s important? How do you prioritize?…
Read MoreEntering the Construction Zone
Trust is the foundation of any relationship. Developing trust is like constructing a house. It takes time, and it must be done piece by piece. As with a building, it’s much easier to tear down trust than it is to build it up. We take for granted that the buildings we enter—homes, offices, restaurants, and…
Read MoreWhy Talent Won’t Cut It
Talent is never enough. There’s no substitute for it, but there’s also no guarantee of success with it. To turn talent into influence, a person must prepare it with hard work, surround it with the right relationships, strengthen it by taking responsibility, and protect it with character. Preparation Positions Your Talent Author Emile Zola spoke…
Read MoreHard-Fought Optimism
You may shoot me with your words,You may cut me with your eyes, You may kill me with your hatefulness, But still, like air, I’ll rise. ~ Maya Angelou from Still I Rise As a child, Maya Angelou was the victim of a brutal assault. After she testified against her abuser, an angry mob hunted…
Read MoreSeven Ways to Make a Memory
Here at Leadership Wired, we talk a lot about leadership and success in business. But as I’m sure you know, there is so much more to life than work. And with Father’s Day coming on June 15, I find myself thinking about the wonderful experiences I’ve had with my family – as a son, a…
Read MoreAsk Not What Your People Can Do for You…
Early in their careers, young leaders tend to be concerned with self-advancement. They ask: what can others do for me? They spend the bulk of their time trying to get other people interested in their ideas and abilities. To this end, they trumpet their accomplishments and show off their knowledge. In short, they try to…
Read MoreThe Real MVP
Kevin Durant, Most Valuable Player of the NBA, recognized that receiving a trophy celebrating his individual brilliance gave the false impression that he had earned the accolade on his own. He admitted this during an emotional acceptance speech at his MVP award ceremony. When we see an outstanding performer, we’re awed and amazed by their…
Read MoreQuotes for Lifelong Learners
On Wednesday, I wrote about learning for a lifetime. Here are some of my favorite quotes on learning and growth, to inspire you as you continue on the learning journey. “You can tell you’re on the road to success; it’s uphill all the way.” -Paul Harvey “It is the capacity to develop and improve their…
Read MoreWant to Soar Higher? Shed Your Sandbags!
Hot-air balloons were originally propelled, not by heating the air, but by releasing helium or hydrogen. The gases, being less dense than air, generated the lift to carry the balloons skyward. These gas balloon-aircrafts were outfitted with sandbags to provide ballast. When the pilot wanted to gain altitude, he would throw the sand overboard so…
Read MoreAre You Maximizing Today?
In just 2.5 weeks I turn 40. As I enter a new decade one of the areas where I’m working on being more intentional is in my daily reflection. The older I get the greater level of accountability I feel to steward my time wisely. No matter your age we all have a finite number…
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