Greatness is not a function of circumstance. Greatness, it turns out, is largely a matter of conscious choice and discipline. ~ Jim Collins My favorite author on greatness is Jim Collins so I was thrilled to see an article in the latest Inc. regarding Mr. Collins' experience teaching at West Point as the Class … Continue reading On Leadership: The West Point Way
Tag: leadership
On Family: It is Everything
Family is not an important thing. It's everything. ~ Michael J. Fox A man should never neglect his family for business. ~ Walt Disney Like you, I spend most of my week focusing on my profession and those that I serve outside of my home. On Saturday I strive to turn my attention to … Continue reading On Family: It is Everything
On Success: Lessons from the Very Affluent
Whatever you do, do with integrity. Wherever you go, go as a leader. Have the courage to lead. Whenever you serve, serve with caring. Whenever you dream, dream with your all. And innovate, and never give up. ~ Curt Carlson I expected them to fail on some things; if they didn't fail, they weren't doing … Continue reading On Success: Lessons from the Very Affluent
On Leadership: Teamwork vs. Talent
Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships. ~ Michael Jordan The best teamwork comes from men who are working independently toward one goal in unison. ~ James Cash Penney (JC Penney) To me, teamwork is the beauty of our sport, where you have five acting as one. You become selfless. ~ Mike … Continue reading On Leadership: Teamwork vs. Talent
On Leadership: Keep It Super Simple
So much of what we call management consists in making it difficult for people to work. ~ Peter Drucker Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate, and doubt to offer a solution everybody can understand. ~ General Colin Powell I just finished the book The Ultimate Question 2.0: How … Continue reading On Leadership: Keep It Super Simple
On Leadership: The Courage To Stand for Principle
Let us have the courage to defy the consensus, the courage to stand for principle. Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God’s approval. Courage becomes a living and an attractive virtue when it is regarded not only as a willingness to die manfully, but as the determination to live decently. A moral coward … Continue reading On Leadership: The Courage To Stand for Principle
On Career Development: It’s About Relationships
If we always helped one another, no one would need luck. ~ Sophocles Networking is simply the cultivating of mutually beneficial, give and take, win-win relationships. It works best, however, when emphasizing the "give" part. ~ Bob Burg All lasting business is built on friendship. ~ Alfred A. Montapert Recently my children decided they … Continue reading On Career Development: It’s About Relationships
On Leadership: It’s About Growing Others
Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others. ~ Jack Welch In my 20s and 30s, my focus was on developing knowledge and experience. I am in my 40s now (full disclosure!) and am definitely still learning, but I am … Continue reading On Leadership: It’s About Growing Others
On Strategy: Delivering WOW Service
We see our customers as invited guests to a party, and we are the hosts. It's our job everyday to make every important aspect of the customer experience a little better. ~ Jeff Bezos The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. ~ Mahatma Gandhi If you're … Continue reading On Strategy: Delivering WOW Service
On Career Development: The Formula for Success
"Confidence can take an individual with nonexistent skill sets and make them respectable; ordinary skill sets and make them good; and incredible skill sets and make them great." "All things being equal, the mentally tough win every time." "High Performance (Success) = Potential + Training - Interference" ~ all quotes by Dr. Craig Manning, … Continue reading On Career Development: The Formula for Success
Steven Lee Elder 