From Millions to Billions
I came out of nowhere. I'm somewhat of a brash New Yorker, and I was working in the "good manners" South. I'm very instinctive, extraverted, and I tend to think out loud.... More
The Real Florence Nightingale
I had only the haziest idea of who Florence Nightingale was—a Good Samaritan, I thought, tending to soldiers in some long-ago war. "The Lady with the Lamp," as she was... More
Do You Bring Your A-game To Taking Care Of Your Body?
Here's an irony, a contradiction of sorts: capable people, high achievers, often fail to take care of themselves in important ways. Poor diet, lack of regular exercise,... More
Best of the Best (a story)
As we pivoted from praise to criticism, I said, "Brace yourself, Phil." Earlier that morning, it had been as different a story as victory and defeat. "The good news is... More
Blinding Glimpse of the Obvious
It's always interesting, if humbling, to suddenly notice what's missing in a situation that's utterly familiar to me. All the more so when that thing is totally basic and... More
Unstoppable Top Executives And The Forces Of Restraint
It's always a problem when too much power is concentrated in the hands of the top person. That's almost a given in start-ups run by the founder. Inevitably,... More
Wronged (a story)
From behind his massive mahogany desk, polished to such a sparkling gleam it almost hurt my eyes, Sam Califon sat high in his black upholstered desk chair. A big man,... More
Between Your Ears: Your Mental Game Is Everything!
Have you been told or seen for yourself there's something wrong with the way you lead and, like many leaders, you decided to fix it, like you'd solve any other problem,... More
High-Powered Couples With Kids: Don't Make It Harder On Yourselves — Try This
I'm always rooting for couples. I want them to "win." I'm always cheered when someone tells me, with feeling, "I'm happily married." So I'm always pained when couples... More
The Value of Griping
When I bump into my neighbor, who happens to be a CEO, it's the same sad song, the same resentful lament. "I'm so frustrated," he says. Anytime somebody says with feeling... More