Beware Your Filters

No, not coffee filters—people and message filters. We like to think that we are thoughtful and discerning in our responses and with our reactions (or lack thereof). However, the reality is that we typically react to people, situations and communication based upon the filters through which we experience everything, which […]

Lead Like Patton – NOT

General George Patton was in many ways an incredible leader and one who certainly had a significant impact on the outcome of World War II in Europe. While General Patton definitely utilized some leadership approaches worthy of modeling, some of his other tactics are not well suited for leadership today. […]

How Lucky You Are to Be Alive Right Now

This past June, I had the honor to see the Broadway sensation Hamilton in New York City. Conceived, written and starring (until last July) Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton tells the story of one of our often forgotten founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton. Based upon Ron Chernow’s biography, the show tells the story […]

How Do You Measure a Year?

If you’re a Broadway fan, you likely recognize this question from the opening song (“Seasons of Love”) in the musical Rent (listen in to hear the entire song). Rent is one of my favorite Broadway musicals for two primary reasons – it’s a love story, and it invites us to […]

It’s What You Make It Mean

What IF every reaction (emotional or otherwise) that you have to an event, experience, communication or interaction is almost completely about you? More specifically, it’s about what you decide that event, experience, communication or interaction means about you. Stay with me as this concept invites a shift that can transform […]

Butterfly Sandwiches, the Flavor Pink and Leadership! (Guest Blog by Chris McKittrick)

One of the things I’ve learned is not to be surprised at the source and timing of life lessons, especially leadership lessons. I was recently caught off-guard when a conversation with my 3-year old granddaughter smacked me upside the head with a leadership insight. It’s hard to admit in your […]

Are You Sharpening Your Leadership Edge?© (adapted from Unmask: Let Go of Who You’re “Supposed” to Be & Unleash Your True Leader)

Stephen Covey is famous for his book The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People (Free Press 1989), and his Seventh Habit is simple – Sharpen the Saw. Covey is referring to a balanced program of self-renewal in four core areas: physical, social/emotional, mental and spiritual. Similarly, but in a different […]

Gifts From Mom©

Sunday, May 11th is Mother’s Day and in that spirit I am dedicating this week’s newsletter to mothers, with a special dedication to my Mom, Sandy Nischwitz. A couple of weeks ago my Mom suffered a stroke. The good news is that it was not life threatening, she still has […]