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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: Happiness
Keep your head in the clouds and your feet on the ground
Years ago, when I was working at a DC trade association, the CEO stopped by my office one night before heading out the door. “Why do businesses fail?” he asked me. I could think of many reasons, but I knew … Continue reading
Posted in Goal setting, Happiness, Management
Tagged execution, failure, Mike Robbins, Teddy Roosevelt, vision
4 Comments
Green socks, Hess trucks and the cocoon room
Over the past week I’ve been collecting nuggets of wisdom to impart to you, dear reader—veritable gems, I tell you. Actually, I’ve discovered that it’s far easier to string together three little stories than to write a regular blog post. … Continue reading
The bald truth about power and leadership potential
In the mornings lately, when I take a shower and dry my hair, I’ve noticed a little thinning on top. Uh-oh. My hair has always been what shampoo makers call “fine,” but nowadays it seems to be even finer—so fine … Continue reading
Posted in Happiness, Leadership
Tagged baldness, Bruce Willis, Hair, masculinity, men, power, Seth Godin, The Wall Street Journal
4 Comments
Signs we’re going to have a harsh winter
This week I had a meeting downtown, which meant I had to dress up for a change. As I peered into the closet, I spied two nearly identical dark-blue slacks—one size 34 and the other size 36. I’m an optimist, … Continue reading
Posted in Happiness
Tagged caterpillars, Farmer's Almanac, gaining weight, mothballs, snow, squirrels, winter
2 Comments
Spaces, places and where we live
Good old Gaston Bachelard, the French philosopher who wrote about houses having souls. I was thinking about him recently as I prepared to rent my house to Gordon and Teca, a missionary couple from Brazil, and their family. For four … Continue reading
Posted in Happiness
Tagged Gaston Bachelard, houses, phenomenology, spaces, The Poetics of Space
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Jefferson, revolution and independence
I had the good fortune of attending the University of Virginia, a school with many traditions associated with its celebrated founder Thomas Jefferson. It’s “Mr. Jefferson’s University,” and his presence is still felt in the “academical village” he created in … Continue reading
Posted in Happiness, Purpose
Tagged change, Independence Day, revolution, Thomas Jefferson, U.Va.
2 Comments
‘Riding along in my automobile’
I recently took Augie, my 2006 Acura TL, on a road trip to the Great Smoky Mountains. We drove as far as Gatlinburg and then wandered up the Blue Ridge Parkway to Roanoke before heading back on 81. Augie performed … Continue reading
Posted in Happiness
Tagged Acura TL, aging, Asheville, Biltmore, Blue Ridge Parkway, cars, Chuck Berry, Roanoke, Smoky Mountains
2 Comments
Snow-deprived in D.C.
Here in D.C., it’s sunny and clear in the Land of Unsnow. Up north, it’s wall-to-wall snow; it’s our Snowmageddon of a few years ago times two. There’s something invigorating, adventurous and enchantingly childlike (unless you’re stranded in an airport) … Continue reading
10 sure-fire ways to disengage and be left alone
If you’re like me, there are times when you just want to be left alone. No phone calls, no emails, no tweets, no text messages, no interruptions or meetings. No one imposing on your time, asking you for favors, soliciting … Continue reading
The Wayward Journey 