07 May

Posted at 12:38h in Blog
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In times of crisis, especially during multiple simultaneous crises, organizations thrive with leaders who:  Reassure by reinforcing trust  Show empathy  Demonstrate stability through competence and character Exude hope. The scope and scale of the Covid-19 pandemic presents an extraordinary leadership challenge.  It’s created multiple, simultaneous crises for healthcare, the economy, social stability, education and international relations with no clear end in sight.  In addressing this challenge, social media and professional journals have been flooded by lengthy, exquisite leadership recommendations to help navigate the complexity of leading under such difficult circumstances.  I won’t join others by piling on with long, elaborate formulae. ...

21 Jan

Posted at 02:22h in Blog
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Our beloved 15-year old dog Hula passed this weekend. Naming this Hawaiian-born puppy came naturally. She not only gave as much love and comfort as she received, but her examples of fidelity, selflessness and enthusiasm inspired everyone and epitomized the leadership traits of “Teamwork, Tone, Tenacity” (T3).    TEAMWORK: One of the greatest attributes of a leader is understanding how to first be a good follower and part of a team. Coming from a litter of eight, Hula knew this from the start. She also demonstrated exceptional team leadership qualities such as: LISTENING:  She made us feel heard by an intense stare or head twist even though she...

23 Dec

Posted at 02:48h in Blog, Uncategorized
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In December 1903 aviation pioneers Orville and Wilbur Wright invented, built and flew the first successful powered airplane in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.  In doing so these leaders inspired the world and set the stage for modern developments in aerospace. The achievement was no fluke. It was years in the making for these self-taught engineers (neither had a high school diploma) and came while numerous competitors were racing to be the first. What set the Wright Brothers apart?  Three characteristics: “Teamwork, Tone, Tenacity®.”   TEAMWORK: These two brothers (each flew their airplane twice on their historic day of accomplishment) blended their...

28 Oct

Posted at 20:31h in Blog
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October 21st marked the anniversary of one of the greatest - if not the greatest - naval victories in history: The Battle of Trafalgar.  Off Spain’s Atlantic Coast in 1805, British Admiral Lord Nelson and his 27 ships decisively defeated a combined French-Spanish fleet of 33 ships.  The amazing victory ensured Napoleon would remain ashore in Continental Europe and give up on any plans to invade England.  Nelson’s brilliance as a maritime warfighter and leader were second to none.  The factors that led to this historic victory are still taught at military war colleges today.  The three most significant:  TEAMWORK: Nelson...

01 Jul

Posted at 01:42h in Blog
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I was honored to deliver the Keynote Address last week at the Deer Park (Long Island) Class of 2019’s High School Commencement Ceremony, my alma mater.  It was great to be home and offer advice to this generation 40 years after my Class of 1979 received our diplomas.       To put ’79's High School years in perspective, I informed the soon-to-be graduates that during our time in school:   “The Yankees were 2x reigning World Series Champs,  There was only one “Star Wars” film,  There were no “Avengers” movies  (their comics sold for 25 cents), We saw “Queen” perform...

26 May

Posted at 14:49h in Blog
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On Memorial Day Monday we remember and honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice serving our country. Here's three important things worth remembering about this solemn holiday: 1) Every country has their version of Veterans Day, only the USA has a Memorial Day dedicated to those who lost their lives while on active duty. Local celebrations started popping up in several eastern states between 1865-1867 to remember the fallen from the Civil War. In 1868 it became a national event. 2) Originally named ‘Decoration Day,’ it was established on May 30. Why then? Two reasons: First, that date didn’t coincide with any one particular Civil War...

22 May

Posted at 00:21h in Blog
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Have you ever been inspired by the leadership, heroism and motivational resolve of others?  I sure have, especially by explorers and pioneers who successfully led missions into the unknown.  One of my favorite such stories is that of Lewis and Clark.  President Thomas Jefferson said of Lewis, “His courage was undaunted.”  Captain Meriwether Lewis and Second Lieutenant William Clark documented their expedition across 7,000 miles in meticulous journals, chronicling their inspirational application of “Teamwork, Tone, Tenacity” (T3) leadership skills which directly contributed to mission success.    In May 1804, Lewis and Clark’s 30+ member "Corps of Discovery" left from St. Louis...

19 Apr

Posted at 13:15h in Blog
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APOLLO 13:  OUT OF THIS WORLD “TEAMWORK, TONE, TENACITY” (T3)!   The Apollo 13 mission of April 1970 is an inspirational lesson of how “Teamwork, Tone, Tenacity®” (T3) can overcome adversity and lead to success.  Commonly referred to as a “successful failure,”  Apollo 13’s goal to put two men on the moon was aborted after an oxygen tank explosion aboard their service module two days after takeoff.  Following four harrowing days in space, during which a return to earth of military astronauts James Lovell (Navy), Jack Swigert (Air Force) and Fred Haise (Marine Corps) was in doubt, their command capsule safely splashed...

28 Mar

Posted at 02:19h in Blog
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It’s March Madness!  The 2019 NCAA Men’s College Basketball “Sweet 16” tips off this week.  The nation is excited about watching great games being played by great teams with great coaches.  The most prominent coach still in the tournament is Duke’s Mike Krzyzewiski with 5 national championships under his belt.  The inspirational “Coach K” is rightly considered the greatest leader of young athletes on the court today.  But which NCAA basketball coach led his teams to more championships - 10! - than any other?  UCLA’s John Wooden, “The Wizard of Westwood,” from 1948-1975.  Coach Wooden’s ability to motivate, build character...

11 Mar

Posted at 14:48h in Blog
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The ultimate Man-Dog “T3” is underway in Alaska.  Approximately 50 human Mushers and their groups of  12-16 sled dogs left Anchorage last week and are midst of crossing 1000 miles of frozen tundra, rivers and mountain ranges en route Nome.  That’s about the distance from San Diego to Denver!  The Iditarod  highlights that “T3”doesn’t just apply to humans, but to humans working with their best friends: dogs. The Iditarod began in 1973 for two reasons: 1) A way to promote Alaska’s sled dog culture in the face of growing snowmobile use, and 2) preserve the historic Iditarod Trail between Seward and...