Two and one-half years ago, the Indiana Historical Society invited me to be the keynote speaker at a "corporate summit." Then, in early 2009, we were in the depths of what people had begun to call the Great Recession. I looked back at the presentation and recalled I made a couple of points that stand up well in August 2011. First, I said the death of capitalism was greatly exaggerated. That is … [Read more...]
August 21, 2011 by
August 19, 2011 by
This video is the second-most viewed of any I've released. And now, some six days out, we've had a chance to gather more information since the tragic event of August 13. I've had a bit more time to reflect. Would I change anything about my video at this point? No, not in the main. I might add a detail or two--a story--about some of the incredible actions that ordinary people undertook that … [Read more...]
August 18, 2011 by
Yesterday I commented on the differences between the economies of 2008 and 2001 and Americans' reactions in these instances. I wrote that I've had an abundance of calls about engaging me for my history-based seminars, workshops, and in some cases, books and articles. I'd like to pick up on this last point, if I may. One of the things for which I've always strived is the real, the authentic. Much … [Read more...]
August 17, 2011 by
Yes, there is a difference in the outlook and behavior of companies and organizations, 2008 and 2011. In 2008 the sharp economic downturn caught a lot of people off guard. They were shocked, stunned. Their reserves of cash disappeared. In 2011, from what I can tell in my little corner of the world, people are not as taken aback as they were three years ago. Moreover, they tend to have at least a … [Read more...]
August 15, 2011 by
Again, don't interpret these comments are sideline criticisms. Officials deserve extensive praise and even more extensive prayers. Well done. To clarify, as a result of this event, unified command was used for the first time in a major incident in Indianapolis, not for the first time in the U.S. In saying I'm a bit of a Calvinist, I'm referring to my spiritual life. I'm saying that I tend to … [Read more...]
August 14, 2011 by
My family and I were at the Indiana State Fair last night during the tragedy at the concert. We were outside of the concert venue on the Midway street. My wife, youngest daughter and the family of my oldest neice were in one part of the street, while my oldest daughter and myself were actually in the Midway heading back toward the grandstand area. I plan to send out a video this Tuesday. I have a … [Read more...]
August 10, 2011 by
THE HUGE BUT AVOIDABLE MISTAKE: RELIVING THE STEEPEST COST OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION The Great Depression struck Americans in the 1930s. It had two parts, from roughly 1930 to 1935, and from 1937 through the end of the decade and into the early 1940s. And during this period—along with all the personal and individual sufferings of joblessness, homelessness, and hopelessness—there was one particular … [Read more...]
July 31, 2011 by
My work in preparing for my 3rd Leadership Now Seminar (August 29th, 10a-1p) has produced a revelation for me. The Great Depression is a vastly overlooked, under-utilized source of leadership for Americans in the early 21st century. So much so, in fact, that I think it's a travesty. Search for books on current leadership, management, and business strategy. You'll encounter hundreds that draw … [Read more...]
July 28, 2011 by
We're obsessed with change in our organizations. Change is fine with me. But I do think that we shoot ourselves in the foot by refusing to realize that change is connected to the past, to continuity. Not everything changes when change happens. It can't. And what doesn't change can either help or hurt the actual, meaningful change that does take place. You risk the success of the change you want … [Read more...]
