Rarely would I use the word “humorous” to describe the organizational environments in which I’ve worked. In fact, I have found that most leaders see laughter as the antithesis of productivity. If you’re yucking it up, you’re not getting serious…
While work-life might offer education on skills, rarely does it help us understand how to get along with those around us. This is ironic because research reveals that poor relationship skills is the number one derailer for professionals. As I…
“It’s like everyone tells a story about themselves inside their own head. Always. All the time. That story makes you what you are. We build ourselves out of that story.” ― Patrick Rothfuss I didn’t want to be in college….
I remember when I lived in Southern California in the late 60’s. Seismologists predicted that there would be a massive earthquake in California, and the entire state would break off and fall into the ocean. People began to panic. They…
I’ll never forget the summer that our church youth group decided to spend Saturdays helping shut-ins with their yard work. My first visit began at tiny white house that sat tentatively, its roof sagging slightly in the middle. We stepped…
If you think people are the “soft side” of business, then you may experience difficulty implementing your change agenda. I understand the concept of organizational excellence, where people can be inserted and removed without impacting the team effort. That works for New…
The other day I was lying on my bed lamenting the general frustration of being 52 years-old and in a state of change. As tears rolled down the sides of my face, I sensed my grandmother’s presence. Grandmom was widowed…
Successful completion of change initiatives is actually rare. Why? Because leaders assume good plans and end states and visuals and reports are change catalysts. They see everything in preparation except the faces that will be implementing that change. I’ve been…
Three years wandering in the desert of, “Why am I here? What is my purpose?” has led me to a new place in life. And I’m glad. But getting here required a journey that included all of the lions and…
I remember him well. He was a six-foot tall, silver-haired male who joined every one of our team meetings and proceeded to point out what was wrong with the change effort being discussed. He did it with authority, and always…