It takes two to make a thing go right … It takes two to make it out of sight … – Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock – It Takes Two (I thought you’d enjoy that earworm!!) I recently had an “Ah-Ha!” that life is too short to work with people who aren’t enjoyable to … Learn More
Picture this: It’s 1998. A newly minted second lieutenant arrives at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. She’s already passed the intense physical trials the Corps put her through. Now, as a young officer assigned to Headquarters Battalion, she’s on her own and adulting: She’s in charge and calling the shots. One of her first acts of liberation is … Learn More
I have a 13 year old son, which basically means I’m getting unsolicited feedback on my leadership style all the time. BELIEVE ME: He’s made it very clear how he views my performance in the organization. I’m amazed – ASTOUNDED, actually … by how comfortable he is “leading up.” Yet, what’s refreshing is that I now … Learn More
A few years ago, I was a chaperone for my son’s Washington D.C. class trip. Fortunately for the students and me, Arlington Cemetery was on our itinerary. If you’ve never visited, know that it’s a powerful experience that reminds you of the truest sacrifices men and women have made for this great nation of ours. In other words, … Learn More
Don’t let fight, flight, or freeze get the better of you. I’m a flighter. When I sense a conflict situation, I want to run away and hide. What’s your move? When you sense an uncomfortable moment, what do you want to do – fight, flight, or freeze? This explains why, when I saw my Congressman at … Learn More
I’ve learned in life there are Three Levels of Commitment: I’ve found that in life, depending upon the initiative or goal, I’m bouncing around all three levels…but when it matters, I’m Level Three. If I were baking a Level Three Commitment cake, first off, it’d be chocolate. The additional ingredients would be: Self-candor is our ability … Learn More
What are we rallying towards? My friend asked me this recently when I shared with her my blog title, “Rally Cry.” I gave her an answer. But had she asked me this week, she would’ve gotten a better answer. You see, I just read this poem, which raised a very powerful question that made me … Learn More
I once heard Malcolm Gladwell express that if you’re an expert on 98% of the topic, that remaining 2% should make you insanely curious about what you don’t know. In that spirit, I attended a HEROIC training course a few weeks ago. Now, I’ve been a keynote speaker for decades. I’m blessed to have a manager … Learn More
I embarrassed my youngest son recently by being “that mom.” Let me set the stage: My son’s coaches called a parent meeting to introduce themselves, talk about their coaching style, and the tournament season ahead. While they were talking, all the athletes were on the field. One of the more senior athletes, leading stretching, kept calling the … Learn More
“We’re going to break it down, Barney Style.” This was what our Marine Corps instructors would say when the School of Hard Knox was in session. And, like the adorable purple dinosaur teaching toddlers step-by-step lessons, our instructors would painstakingly review easy-to-implement guidance on a range of skills, like: Yes, that last one!! Leadership can seem … Learn More
I get asked a lot: how do you do it?? Keep a rigorous schedule, train for athletic competitions, travel the globe, and appear so energized. I thought I’d share my secrets. A great morning begins after a great night’s sleep. So, technically, my morning habits begin at 7:00 pm the night prior. I’ve typically eaten by then, I don’t … Learn More
When I was young, I’d leap, jump, and cartwheel on my school’s playground balance beams. Well…not all of them. Just the ones that were laying on the ground. As for the others? I didn’t dare. I once tried the one that was 6” off the ground. I was too wobbly on it and hopped off quickly before I embarrassed myself. … Learn More
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