Busyness is not the same thing as effectiveness. In fact, constant busyness may actually be the enemy of true effectiveness. Why is that? Because making your mark—having an effect—on the world around you is not possible without intentionality, reflection, and… Read More »Busy or effective?
I love poetry. On a couple other occasions I’ve posted poetry on this blog (here and here). I’ve even posted some of my own poetry (here and here). Presenting language in the form of poetry causes us to consider it… Read More »The now on which the shadow stands
Ron Carpenter’s The Necessity of an Enemy comes at you fast and furious. The chapters are really short. As in, two-to-three-pages short. The concepts are simply stated; like short jabs to the brain. The stories are real, raw and told… Read More »BOOK REVIEW: The Necessity of an Enemy by Ron Carpenter
This poem has a lot of relevance for being published in 1895. Despite it’s popularity, though, I don’t know how much attention has been given to the fact that it seems to be a father speaking to his son. It… Read More »Gaining inspiration for parenting and leadership from Kipling
It does no good to try and play someone else’s game. To try to live someone else’s life. To pursue someone else’s calling. You are you. You are who God created you to be. And this is your marriage, your… Read More »Play your game
Most of these ideas and quotes are from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. Required reading for leaders. Obviously. Liberty is more options to choose from in your environment. Freedom is more internal power to exercise… Read More »Thoughts on being proactive
Have you ever read the excellent short story, Leiningen Verses the Ants? I remember when I first read it, I was a fifth grader and it blew my mind. Leiningen (no first name is given) is a wealthy plantation owner… Read More »Leiningen and the ants on leadership
“Grab the bull by the horns.” “If the horse is dead, dismount.” “Kill the sacred cow.” “There’s more than one way to skin a cat.” “A living dog is better than a dead lion.” “A bird in the hand is… Read More »Leadership and the ethical treatment of animals…
There are many parallels between great leaders and great, iconic design. Five come immediately to mind. Great design/great leaders are: 1. Functional Talk is cheap. So is eye-candy-only design. Well, actually, both are sometimes ridiculously expensive. But the best designs… Read More »5 parallels between great leaders and iconic design
Lately I’ve been reading Eric L. Haney’s book Inside Delta Force, a personal memoir of the author’s experience in the early years of the elite counter-terrorist unit. One thing I found striking is Haney’s brief overview of how “The Unit”… Read More »A lesson from Delta Force