Gandhi was a giver. So were Mother Theresa, Dr. King, and Thomas Edison. They profoundly contributed to the world, leaving the place better than they found it. Because they gave so much, they are revered and hold a special place in history. Bernie Madoff is a different story. Same is true for the Enron guys, … Read more
beckysue
Sure, we’d all love to win the lotto, possess prodigy-level talent, or be born into royalty. The luck of the draw can seem painfully unfair as some are stricken with disease while others grab an oversized helping of fame and fortune, and then come back for seconds. Without question, there are many factors that we … Read more
In our professional and personal pursuits, we’re often so focused on finding the answers that we fail to ask the right questions. A sense of curiosity and wonder will allow you to zero in on your calling and seize your full potential. Remember the childhood game of 20 Questions? Here are 20 that we should … Read more
I recently sat down with a friend who was down on his luck. His situation, which had been worsening for years, felt hopeless. Like so many Americans, he was in a state of despair and just couldn’t get unstuck. When I asked him what he was doing to improve things, he rattled off a long … Read more
It stings. Another soul-crushing reprimand from a boss, parent, or spouse. That nauseous feeling when you feel unappreciated, misunderstood, and blamed. We’ve all been there, and in that knee-wobbling state we are far from playing at our best. On the other hand, remember how you felt after receiving a big boost of positive reinforcement. A … Read more
How many times have you complained about your boss? Bemoaned the circumstances that are holding you back? Attributed your setbacks to others or external forces? The problem with finger-pointing is that it’s completely unproductive. We all have a finite amount of time, energy, and resources at our disposal. Every ounce that you deploy blaming others … Read more
Detroit has seen its share of setbacks, but to me there’s one loss that’s most troubling. It’s one thing to lose a sports rivalry or even endure a massive sea change in manufacturing that resulted in a throbbing economic hangover. But worse, many Detroiters have lost their spirit and confidence. That very sense of purpose … Read more
Steve Jobs was flawed. Serena Williams has soft spots in her tennis game. Even Brad Pitt has bad hair days. No matter how successful, powerful, or good-looking, all of the people we admire most have at least some deficiencies. If we can accept that industry titans and Olympic athletes have flaws, why is it so … Read more
Unless you are a trust-fund socialite, you’ve somehow been affected by the challenging economy. It’s likely that you or someone you know have hit a major career pothole. The European economy is as turbulent as an amusement park ride and the US Dollar is softer than a newborn’s blanket. So how in the world can … Read more
A colleague approaches you with a radical new idea. What are the odds you will imagine the possibilities, build on her concept, and embrace this new vision? 18%? 3%? 0%? Grumpy professors, cynical parents, and finger-wagging bureaucrats have lured many of us into building championship NO instincts. Much easier and less risky to protect the … Read more