I am asked frequently whether successful leaders have had failures. It is not clear to me why parallels with sports, education and other fields are lost. Even the most gifted athletes have fallen short or, sometimes, just fallen. A deep-seated emotion propels them to try again, to resume training and conditioning, to set (literally) stretch […]
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Comments Off on Labor Day Weekend Reflections
Labor Day, for many people, is simply a day off that signals the end of summer. But it is far more than that. Or should be. The holiday originated in 1882 as the Central Labor Union (of New York City) sought to create “a day off for the working citizens”. Congress made Labor Day a […]
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Comments Off on Convention Low Light: Sen. Lautenberg Laughs at Ethics
You can all see the highlights of the convention in many places, especially on the web. But there is one “low light” that sticks in my mind. Asked by tv talking heads for his view of one major party thrown by the lobbyists and how that fits with recent ethics reforms, Senator Lautenberg scoffed: “somebody […]
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Comments Off on Defying Convention: Vote, But Do Your Homework Before You Vote
It is not possible to write about “Leadership” without eventually addressing the presidential race. And to do so without taking sides (which I wont do in this arena) is difficult. But I am dismayed at how little we have on which to base our choice. Recognized experts in leadership will tell you that sustaining engagement […]
Countless more ordinary people of equal talent never developed the leadership core required to run the show. Why not?
Friday, August 29, 2008
Comments Off on If at First You don’t Succeed – It May Be the Best Thing to Happen to You