Three Lessons from Ranger School

Good Thursday morning! I have missed writing to you. My time has been devoted to a number of other areas . . . on top of a full coaching schedule. More about one of these other projects in a moment. – – – – – – – – – – First things first! I recently had […]
Two Questions about Your Leadership
Good morning! I hope you enjoyed the holidays and are off to a strong start in 2019. Two items this morning – one a challenge in two questions, the second a book you must read. – – – – – – – – – – I want to challenge you with two questions I have […]
Leaders and Fake News – Introducing Leadership Essential #4

Good morning! Fall is here in Charlottesville. This time of year reminds me of one of the happiest days of my life – two years ago. – – – – – – – – – – On to leaders and fake news . . . “But Mr. Immelt didn’t like hearing bad news, said several […]
Political Leadership Role Models. . .Not!

Good morning. The recent events in Washington compel me to break from my usual avoidance on discussing politics in these notes to you about leading well. But watching the hearings a week ago Thursday reminded me that our nation’s political leaders do not represent a vast pool of leadership role models that I could endorse right […]
Villain, Victim, Rescuer – Which Role Do You Play?!

Good Thursday morning! I hope you have had a good week so far. Three things today: gratefulness, “The P Rules” — some tips to improve your team meetings and presentations, and finally, a lesson from the road. First, what are you grateful for this morning? (Pause . . . to let you think.) I happen […]
Creativity vs. Reactivity Take Two

One leader responded to my last post on Creative vs Reactive by telling me his own story of reacting in a way he wishes he could take back. He and a colleague were at an industry conference when they bumped into a client. The client asked a fairly innocent question in a crowded noisy room […]
Stop & Go

Over the last eight months, I’ve been writing periodically about character and leadership. Why is character so important in leaders? Because character is what leads you when you have to lead yourself. You can read the introduction to the character series here. Today we look at that internal guidance mechanism known as self-discipline. ************************************************************************************** This […]
When A Leader Has To Wait

The foundation under every leader is character – good or bad. This is the fourth in an occasional series for leaders who want to be intentional about their character. Click here for the introduction to the series. When is the last time you, as a leader, had to wait for something? Had to slow down? […]
Cultivate Courage

Andy Grove, former CEO of Intel, died earlier this year. He wrote the bestseller Only the Paranoid Survive, a book that impacted me as a young leader. Known as brash, but brilliant, Grove was remembered for having courage, that character trait representing a willingness to confront danger or uncertainty. NPR’s tribute to his life highlights […]
Conflict with Another Leader

Two months ago, I was on a chronically delayed flight late at night at Dulles Airport, outside Washington, DC. As I sat in the terminal after de-planing for the second time and waiting to board again, I couldn’t help but notice a young woman in the waiting area who was on the same flight. She […]