"Brace yourself, Phil," I told him, as we pivoted from praise to criticism. His eyelids flickered. Earlier that morning it was a very different story, the opposite side... More

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

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

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

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

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

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

At our very first meeting EmmaJean bared her soul—uncharacteristically, I later learned. "Look," she said, emphatically, "If I'm going to get anything out of this, I... More

Too much of a good thing—you've heard that before. Strengths taken to an extreme are weaknesses—that's not news. Chances are, though, you haven't seen that reality... More