leadership

The Stone Cutter’s Quest for More

There was once a stonecutter who was dissatisfied with himself and with his position in life. One day he passed ...

There’s Always an Alternative

There are few projects more complex, difficult, and expensive than rebuilding a gate at an existing airport. Inoperable during construction, ...

When Traditions Should Change

I had the great honor to deliver a keynote speech this past Sunday on Northern Michigan’s beautiful Mackinac Island. Sweeping ...

Creating the Perfect Circle (a Zen Proverb)

One day a small boy was playing near the river when he saw an old man with a long beard ...

Two Danger Traps That Can Derail Your Growth

Whether you run a two-person graphic design shop or a 200,000-person global manufacturing conglomerate, you’re likely craving growth. We all ...

Duct Tape and a Paperclip

From the time I saw MacGyver use candlesticks, an extension cord, and a rubber mat to create an improvised defibrillator ...

Want Fresh Ideas? Try This.

In these competitive and uncertain times, most of us long for that bold, fresh idea that will shake things up ...

A Simple Way to De-Risk Innovation

We know that embracing innovation is the only way to grow and win over the long term, but it sure ...

Three Little Big Ideas

We are unquestionably living in a landscape of overwhelming VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and uncertainty).  In other words, we find ...

WARNING: These 17 Questions Will Result in Dangerously High Levels of Creativity

What is this thing made of? What’s missing? What was the thinking and context that led to its initial creation? ...