I once again had the privilege of attending the 2012 Scripps National Spelling Bee held the last week of May near Washington DC. 278 kids, from 6 to 14 years old, traveled to this championship venue to tackle words such as quinquennalia and mumpsimus. (Good luck even pronouncing them and no, they are not in the spell [Read More]
Integrity is Alive
November 9, 2011 by Leave a Comment
I was recently working in a national security facility and witnessed a terrific example of integrity. I was escorted into a highly restricted area by a couple of staff members. As I was almost through the card and password controlled gate, one of my escorts remembered to verify if I had a cell phone on [Read More]
Be Careful of Catchy Slogans
September 29, 2011 by 1 Comment
For some reason, I like to examine statements for their potential mixed messages. Corporate slogans or platitudes are examples which often get my attention. Two of my favorites are “the customer is always right” and “our associates are our most important asset.” They both sound positive and affirming, but unfortunately they are a bit deceptive [Read More]
A Great Leadership Principle
September 12, 2011 by 8 Comments
During our residential version of The Leadership Challenge® Workshop, we utilize a high ropes challenge course, to help cement the lessons around experimenting and taking risks, coaching and encouraging, challenging preconceived beliefs, and other important leadership behaviors. Recently a young man attended, who openly admitted having a severe fear of heights. Yet, he still participated, [Read More]
A Question of Values
June 28, 2011 by 1 Comment
Was working with a group of very bright people today, discussing the characteristics people most look for in leaders they would willingly choose to follow. Honesty is the characteristic which is most frequently cited in a survey that has been going on for over twenty years. One of the participants asked something like, “given the [Read More]
