Mom, also known as “The Ox” for her incomprehensible ability to plow forward, passed away on Saturday. While expected due to her health, it was nonetheless shocking; she had previously proven herself to be immortal. Here’s the beautiful thing about legacy: you get to choose the memories you want to keep and want to share. […]
The Two Types of People
October 22, 2019 by Leave a Comment
When it comes to doing the hard work, there are two types of people. Those who don’t want to do it, but do it anyway. Those who want to do it, but don’t do it. But, what if you could train your mind to embrace the hard work, to crave it, to constantly challenge your […]
Increments and Exponents
October 15, 2019 by 2 Comments
I want to throw up when I hear a company say, “I want to grow sales by 10% this year.” Why only 10%? Why not 7% or 23% or 62%? Why 10? It’s the sheepish shrug of the shoulder that pisses me off the most. The real answer is that it’s the default answer. There […]
My Favorite Day of the Week to Lead
October 10, 2019 by Leave a Comment
I’m weird. I have a favorite word. I also have a favorite day of the week to lead. It’s Thursday. Why? Simple. Thursday sets the stage for a scramble to the finish line on Friday. Friday is when you send your people home to be with their family. You want to set their minds at […]
Stretching with Integrity
August 17, 2019 by Leave a Comment
At the end of a particularly hard OrangeTheoryFitness class, I sat on the ground mindlessly stretching like a bit of a zombie and thanking the Good Lord I finished another burn. Coach Leslie called out, “Make sure you are stretching with integrity.” Say what? After 600+ classes, I’ve heard just about every catchphrase in the […]
I Never Lose My Keys
August 15, 2019 by Leave a Comment
I never lose my keys. Ever. How do I do it? Simple. The first thing I do when I walk in my house is hang my keys up on the key ring. Duh. I set myself up for success. In every house I’ve lived in for the past ten+ years, the first thing (and about […]
“I’m too Busy…”
May 1, 2019 by Leave a Comment
“I’m too busy.” It’s by far the saddest phrase I hear while working with CEOs. (Or anyone for that matter.) Why? Simple. It reflects a total loss of control. Not of your calendar. A loss of your mindset. You’ve stopped believing you have a choice. You believe the world is acting upon you. There is […]
Rules Instead of Relationships
March 13, 2019 by 1 Comment
When you have to write rules because your relationships suck, you may want to start investing time in your people. Poor leaders write ironclad rules based on an exception, which allow for no flexibility or decision-making. Great leaders talk to the person with the behavioral exception and clarify the expected frameworks we operate under. Then, […]
You Don’t Get to Choose Your Legacy
February 21, 2019 by Leave a Comment
So, last week, Mom broke the news. I knew something was up when I finally looked at my phone and saw she called three times in one day – and left messages each time. I spoke with her that evening. “Son, I have lung cancer again.” If you know anything about my Mom, you know […]
“I Can’t…”
February 13, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Last week, I was told by the owner of a business I love, “I can’t…” It made my heart hurt. “I can’t” is a horrible response driven by a mindset that has surrendered power. Negative mindsets stunt evolution and innovation. It leads to decay. Everything I know about business tells me that the company who […]
