Best way to use your time. One of the best lessons that anyone can learn in life is how to use time wisely. Consider what can be done in ten minutes: a pianist can deliver the performance of a lifetime, you can learn a new dance step, a football game ...

Let’s explore the concept of leadership. It’s been the topic of many of my conversations lately with clients. Here are some great questions and words of wisdom on the subject. “Leadership” “Is it a title or an attitude? Is it about power or responsibility? Is it about those you dominate ...

What can I do to add value? In talking with a client recently, I asked how things are going and he said something that continues to stick with me. He said, ” So far so good. As long as I can keep adding value, I’m happy.” Not “As long as ...

Let’s explore what it’s like to play on a winning team. Recently, I was watching the Portland Trail Blazers play basketball on television. This is a rare occurence since I don’t particularly like watching televised basketball, though it’s a great game in person. I also have no affection for the ...

I often enjoy taking a morning walk through the park not far from my home; I especially love the large trees and duck pond there. One morning last week, I could hear music playing somewhere near the duck pond. The sound was faint, so I couldn’t make out what I ...

As I watch the seasons change, I am contemplating the three stages of change: endings, transitions and beginnings. The coming of winter give us a chance to look more deeply into the three stages, as we approach the end of the year, look forward to enjoying some time off to ...

The word “integrity” is used a lot in business. It’s how we refer to people who exhibit the wonderful qualities of trustworthiness, dependability and honesty. Sometimes we use it to describe a process or purpose, such as “the integrity of a work product” or “integrity of purpose.” Though we esteem ...

It’s always interesting to see what happens when people with different agendas, opinions and viewpoints get into a room and try to agree on what should be done and how to do it. Often, there’s general consensus about what needs to be done in the long term. The greater differences ...

One of my favorite editions of the Harvard Business Review is entitled “The Tests of a Leader.” In the article “What to Ask the Person in the Mirror,” I found a worthwhile quote. “While your direct reports know what you are doing wrong, most of them are not dying to ...

For the past few weeks, I’ve been observing what appear to be opposites co-existing, that is, seeing bad occur in good and good occur in bad. They say that the most beautiful roses have the largest thorns, and so, in nature we can see many examples of this. We often ...

When I was out for a walk the other morning, I could see the buds emerging on the trees. Meanwhile, the wind was blowing, sleet was falling, and there were alternate moments of bright sun and grey skies. Such is the weather in the Pacific Northwest this time of year. ...