About this blog
I write about communication, leadership and change, drawing on a 30-year career in journalism, public relations and management.
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Category Archives: Leadership
Empathy, compassion and coronavirus
McKinsey & Company began a recent article on leading with purpose during the pandemic with a quote from celebrity chef and World Central Kitchen founder José Andrés: “Without empathy, nothing works.” The quote, McKinsey said, “highlights the reasoning behind the … Continue reading
Posted in Leadership, Purpose
Tagged Brene Brown, compassion, coronavirus, empathy, Gregory Boyle, Jose Andres, Paul Bloom
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NAFCU turns 50
This past week, the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions turned 50. Given that I’ve been associated with NAFCU since 2000, first as a vice president and in recent years as an independent contractor (one-third of NAFCU’s existence!), I’ve developed … Continue reading
What we need is a little optimism
I was going through some dusty old things the other day and found a “Youth Appreciation Week Citation” I received in 1969 from the Optimist Club of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. Wow, I thought, that’s a long time ago! What was ironic is … Continue reading
Posted in Happiness, Leadership, Purpose
Tagged 1969, Aartrijk, Christian Larson, optimism, positive thinking
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Standing with others may be the first step to helping them
I have been thinking these last few days about a quotation attributed to the German writer Goethe: “If I accept you as you are, I will make you worse; however, if I treat you as though you are what you … Continue reading
Posted in Leadership, Purpose
Tagged change, Goethe, Gregory Boyle, loving others, potential
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Is fear holding you back? Consider these three lessons
Napoleon Hill once said that fear is the single greatest obstacle to success. Yet, even with success, fear does not go away. Instead, it burrows into your subconscious in more subtle and insidious ways. You get comfortable, and you hardly notice … Continue reading
Posted in Careers, Leadership
Tagged fear, journalism, Max Lucado, mission trip, Napoleon Hill, perfection, Robert Frost, Writing
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Leadership advice from the remarkable Frances Hesselbein
It’s Girl Scout cookie season, which means that soon I’ll be enjoying one of my favorite cookies—Do-si-dos. (In case you’re wondering, those are the ones with oatmeal on the outside and peanut butter on the inside.) The sale of millions … Continue reading
Posted in Leadership, Purpose
Tagged Frances Hesselbein, Girl Scouts, Leadership, Mission, Peter Drucker, values
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Thanksgiving, gratitude and the value of encouragement
The other day an email popped into my inbox from HostGator, my web-hosting company. I get marketing emails from them from time to time, so I didn’t pay much attention at first. But the headline caught my eye: “Want instant … Continue reading
Posted in Leadership, Purpose
Tagged encouragement, giving, gratitude, handwritten letter, kindness, Thanksgiving
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Need to make an apology? Here’s how to do it right
“I’m sorry” and “excuse me” are words we hear on a daily basis. When used liberally and expressed sincerely, they go a long way towards preserving civility and smoothing over awkward moments. If I accidentally bumped into you on a crowded … Continue reading
Posted in Communications, Leadership
Tagged apology, character, make amends, relationships, restitution, sorry
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Everything I know about management I learned from gardening
It’s September again. The days are getting shorter, the nights cooler. The grass is staging a comeback, the liriope is in full bloom and the crepe myrtle is taking its final bow. As I walk around the yard, taking stock of this … Continue reading
Posted in Leadership, Management
Tagged gardening, growth, mentoring, nurturing, nutrients, plants
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The Wayward Journey 