A Very Sad Day at the Boston Marathon
“This is a giant planet and we’re lucky to live on it but there are prices and penalties incurred for the daily miracle of existence. One of them is, every once in awhile, the wiring of a tiny sliver of the species gets snarled and they’re pointed towards darkness. “But the vast majority stands against that darkness and, like white blood cells attacking a virus, they dilute and weaken and eventually wash away the evil doers and, more importantly, the damage they wreak. This is beyond religion or creed or nation. We...
read more1 Million Jobs for 1 Million Veterans. We Can Do It!!
A while ago I posted a blog title “A Field of Dreams in Hydroponic Farming”. Since then. a very special person by the name of Dylan Ratigan has become personally and professionally invested in a vision that I simply describe as 1 million jobs for 1 million veterans. Here is note that was send to over 500,000 people today. Please read it, follow the links and consider a donation. Colin and Karen Archipley are two inspirational people in my life. I am not a veteran, yet since moving to CA, I have found a connection to many and a...
read moreOn Being Fit
Here’s your bit of inspiration for the day. Being fit, strong, and centered really is matter of choice. And we all like choices, right? It’s really up to you whether you want it or not. In other words, it’s your choice. I know it’s not always easy. Trust me, I know. We all have a million and one different excuses not to workout or take time for ourselves. You’re tired. You’re hungry. It’s dark. It’s late. It’s early. You don’t feel like it. This or that hurts. And on, and on, and...
read morePep Talk
This need no introduction. Just watch it and smile. If you like it as much as I do pass it on. It is a gift from a 4th grader. Chill….
read moreBrilliant Bosses Get Feedback by Asking for It
Face it, the higher you rise in any organization the more your position will create barriers for people share their thoughts and feeling about you. Here are a few simple things that every single CEO on the planet can do. And, if you can’t take my advice, look in the mirror and ask yourself why? 1. Get Insight From Some of Your Direct Reports Take out a piece of paper and draw a line down the center. On the left note a realistic assessment of your strengths. On the right a list of things you believe you should do better to lead the...
read moreOn Becoming a Highly Effective Leader in the New Year
Can you relate to any of the following? I really don’t look forward to going to work. I’m increasingly avoiding interactions with people, especially when they don’t seem to value me. I think I’m doing a good job, but I know I have some areas where I could be doing better. I’m worried that they are holding me back. I always seem to be overlooked when new leadership opportunities arise. I don’t understand, because I do a good job and I’m certainly qualified. I feel like I’m underpaid for my contributions. I keep seeing others...
read moreThe Passing of a Great Leader, Daniel Inouye
The Ultimate Leadership Lesson Thank you to Victor Lipman, a key contributor to Forbes for informing motivating me to write this Blog. The first paragraph was published in Forbes today. Having endured not only on the battlefield but also 59 years in elected office, it was only fitting that before becoming ill Senator Inouye had announced plans to run for re-election in 2016 at the age of 92. He did, however, tell KHON-TV in Honolulu: “I have told my staff and I have told my family that when the time comes, when you question my...
read moreAttention Small Cap CEOs: Executive Leadership Continuity Risk Assessment
Have you ever been worried about what will happen when your Board of Directors, your investors or your key employees discover that there are no succession plans for key individuals in your organization? The answer can have a huge impact not only on your company, but also on your career. And even though you know it’s important, creating a comprehensive succession plan can feel daunting. It seems like it’s a huge ordeal. You have a business to run and don’t have time to devote to a project of this scope. Other key executives don’t...
read moreFive Truths about Executive Development Coaching
Boards of Directors are increasingly holding CEOs accountable to serve as development coaches to their successors. It is no longer acceptable for the CEO to simply hire an outsider to do her/his work. Chances are that if the CEO does not have the motivation and skill to coach potential successors, they either have, or will have, limited credibility with their Boards. And their executive teams will not perform to their potential. This issue is placing CEOs at risk if they do not step up. Executive Development Coaching is about optimizing the...
read moreWhy Health System Mergers and Acquisitions Fail
According to Becker’s Hospital Review and Comp Health’s Infographic, 49% of hospital merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions are cancelled because of culture. And, only 54% have a team dedicated to M&A. While it is widely known that culture will disable the most elegant integration plans, it appears that healthcare executives continue to place less than adequate focus on this critical factor during due diligence. The M&A playbooks used by most are void of tools that not only assess culture, but also the compatibility of...
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