I never fail to be amazed by history. In doing the research for my upcoming public seminar on Ronald Reagan, the Challenger speech, and the leadership of tragedy, I've discovered several powerful elements to the story that are entirely ignored in either the retelling or the memory of the event. Here are a couple of examples of what I mean. First, Reagan's speech on January 28,1986 was the second … [Read more...]
January 5, 2011 by
January 4, 2011 by
I saw in yesterday's local newspaper that a group of young people, aged in their twenties primarily, have developed a habit of meeting together monthly at a bar. They hold a common interest in starting their own companies, enterprises, and ventures, mostly in the technology sector. The article also pointed out that many venture capitalists and angel investors were beginning to show up at the … [Read more...]
January 4, 2011 by
I’m putting the finishing touches on my book about Dr. Michael Evans and his company, AIT. His and the company’s stories fit neatly within my river framework. As the reader, you will see the river in all its variety. One of the biggest points for most of you will be the role that your own opinions and definitions play in the presence or absence of success. Dr. Evans refused to accept failure. That … [Read more...]
January 1, 2011 by
Ask yourself the Peyton Manning question. I did. And the effort in doing so has been repaid many times over. Here is my Peyton Manning question--what am I Peyton Manning at doing? I'm a word nut. In almost every instance the words I say and write and think are chosen with great care. That's certainly true with my Peyton Manning question. You see, when I think of Manning I think of someone who … [Read more...]
December 30, 2010 by
The Battle of Tippecanoe has two features that I'm excited to be working on for my forthcoming book. First, I'll be examining the issue of leadership and diversity from a new vantage point. Both the American and Native American perspectives on leadership will be treated in my book. Second, I'll introduce you to a group of heretofore forgotten people from history. The "big three" of the event will … [Read more...]
December 30, 2010 by
I've started working on a new book for publication in fall, 2011. On November 7, 2011 will be the bicentennial of the Battle of Tippecanoe, fought on the eve of the War of 1812. I'm planning to research and write a book about the battle and events surrounding it. My focus will be the one Iike to use--the leadership points that can be applied in your life today. I'll explore the Battle of … [Read more...]
December 23, 2010 by
I read about a week or so ago that the Pearl Harbors Survivors Association is dying. Literally. The members of the organization—devoted to remembering an event they lived through in December 1941—are passing away. The river rolls on. Two things die with them. One is the collective oral memories of the members. Yes, it’s likely many of the members wrote their memories down on paper. But there’s … [Read more...]
December 22, 2010 by
In my upcoming leadership development session on Ronald Reagan, the Challenger disaster, and leadership in tragedy, you have two very important strengths to add to this experience. Because of these two strengths, this session will be especially useful to you and your fellow participants. First, as I've written elsewhere on this blog, you may have lived through this event. You can participate as a … [Read more...]
December 22, 2010 by
A participant from one of my sessions--an alumnus of mine--shared a comment that has stuck with me. After going through my session on the last full day of Martin Luther King Jr.'s life ("A Day Of Meetings" is the title), this alumnus said that I had as much of a "ministry" as I did a business or service. I like that. I like that a lot. He's exactly right. I have a ministry, and I look upon my … [Read more...]
December 22, 2010 by
Today I visited my local Verizon store. My task was to check on a bill, seeing what my options were for reducing costs. I suspect you've had a similar task, for which you either volunteered or were drafted, conscripted, and dragooned into performing. And in this instance I experienced serious personal exasperation. The attendee at the desk took ten minutes to notice me. Then, I was asked if I'd … [Read more...]
