Readers are Leaders

I recently discovered a book that had me see things through a new lens, or a few different lenses, to be more accurate. Jim Gilmore, author, professor, and co-founder of Strategic Horizons created a helpful tool to help us perceive our world. In his book, Look: A Practical Guide for Improving Your Observational Skills, Gilmore took his inspiration from Edward de Bono's Six Thinking Hats method to introduce the metaphor of ''six looking glasses.'' Each looking glass represents a particular skill …

Do you believe in aliens? ALIENs are real, according to the authors of one of my recent favorite books, Alien Thinking: The Unconventional Path to Breakthrough Ideas. Cyril Bouquet, Jean-Louis Barsoux, and Michael Wade, professors of innovation and strategy at IMD Business School, have studied inventors, scientists, doctors, entrepreneurs, and artists for the past decade. These are individuals who excel at Attention, Levitation, Imagination, Experimentation, and Navigation thinking patterns. The…

I recently came across a book that intrigued me from the moment I read the title, Gardeners Not Mechanics: How to Cultivate Change at Work by Gary Lloyd. I thoroughly enjoyed the ideas that Gary shared creating lasting change and how to approach it. As Gary points out, gardeners cannot predict or control their environments. Instead, they must balance art and science, proceed through trial and error, then nourish and support their crop. Likewise, leaders seeking to effect change in their organiza…

I had the opportunity to get an early read on Dorie Clark’s new book, The Long Game: How to Be a Long-Term Thinker in a Short-Term World, due out on September 21^st (You can pre-order now). It is truly fantastic, much like everything she does. I highly recommend this book to anyone navigating a new path or going through the valley and needing some assurance that they are on the right path. When you start a new venture, initiative, or job, you can’t jump in and expect to be an overnight success; y…

If you are looking for a spark of inspiration, check out the book, Two Beats Ahead: What Musical Minds Teach Us About Innovation by Panos A. Panay and R. Michael Hendrix. After reading the book, I knew I had to have them join me on my Virtual Campfire podcast. So we recorded an episode, and I can't wait to release it.

In Two Beats Ahead, Panos and Michael interview some of the nation's top musicians and business leaders about how they approach innovation differently. They speak with Beyonce, Ph…

I am extremely grateful for so many of you who have picked up a copy of my new book “Climbing The Right Mountain: Navigating the Journey to An Inspired Life.” The book is for leaders at all stages who currently feel unfulfilled in their lives or careers. In the book, I take you through the guideposts to help you navigate your path. The book is great for anyone who is going through a period of transition.

You can grab your copy here. I would love to know what you think of the book. An Amazon rev…

One of the books that I recently read that has me thinking is Soundtracks by Jon Acuff. I had two reasons for picking it up, Jon Acuff (I am a huge fan) and the title (I love, music soundtracks especially when they are done well). Jon is an accomplished author with seven books under his belt, but I think this one is his best work.

Simply put, we all have soundtracks playing in our heads that have us overthinking almost everything. Jon proposes that overthinking isn’t a personality trait; it is …

When you are climbing a mountain, there will be times when you start questioning whether you want to keep going. You start questioning if you made the right choices.

I use this metaphor with my clients as they climb the mountain of their professional and personal life. So, I am overflowing with excitement, and if I am completely honest, I am somewhat nervous, to share a personal achievement in service of the people I guide and support. It is an achievement that represents the last year of my li…

I am overflowing with excitement, and if I am completely honest, somewhat nervous about sharing a significant personal milestone. It is an achievement that represents the last year of my life: I published my first book titled “Climbing The Right Mountain: Navigating the Journey to An Inspired Life.” 

The book is for leaders at all stages who currently feel unfulfilled in their lives or careers. In the book, I take you through the guideposts to help you navigate your path. To guide you in climbi…

"Understanding people and their lives is what travel is about, no matter where you go."

I have watched Rick Steves' TV shows on travel for what seems like an eternity (really, it has been about 20 years, which is still impressive). Rick has an optimistic and pleasant way about him, and in this book, we see a deeper side to Rick. In Travel As a Political Act, he shares his insights about how travel can change the world one trip at a time. It is an illuminating collection of stories and lessons f…