Last night, discovered an interview with Mandy Patinkin on YouTube. The interviewer posed a question that honestly stopped me in my tracks: “What do you know now that you wish you’d known then?” His answer resonated so powerfully with me, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. Here’s a version of what he said…
Last week, I went on a fishing trip to Canada with some guys from my neighborhood. Let me tell you two stories about that trip. They’re both true, but they focus on very different things. Story 1: The vacation that went wrong It’s a 12-hour drive to Lake Windemere. We spent all day Sunday traveling,…
Transformation usually begins with desire. I’m not going to set out on a new journey unless I’m either in a tough spot or see the promise of something much better on the horizon. We can’t go chasing after every impulse that comes to mind. But if a desire persists and keeps coming back to “haunt” me. These…
“Wake up Neo…” When those words appear on Neo’s screen, everything changes. Neo would have ignored all of this, except for one fact. He was looking for a wake-up call. He’d been searching, digging for answers. Something was drawing him, something that wouldn’t let go. What are you looking for This story is universal, which…
The other day, my wife showed me Rembrandt’s painting of The Storm on the Sea of Galilee. It wasn’t just beautiful; it spoke to me deeply. What captivated me wasn’t just the oil and canvas, but the unmistakable soul of the artist pouring through every brushstroke. It reminded me that the true masterpiece isn’t always…
I was sitting on the edge of a lake last week, watching some swallows swoop down over the water, picking up tiny insects as they buzzed by. It was an incredible display. They are so fast, and so acrobatic. I sat on that rock for 40 minutes doing nothing but watching them. How did they…
Think about a leader you admire. Who stands out to you as someone you’d want to emulate? Take a moment, I’ll wait. Do you have someone in mind? For me, that person is often Martin Luther King, Jr. His courage and moral clarity undeniably changed the course of history. I’m particularly struck by the creativity…
I talk a lot about how to show up as your best self every day. When I’m living as my best self, I’m more patient and a better listener. I’m more open to new ideas and can find more creative solutions. I have more energy and I’m genuinely present with the people I’m with. This state of being, this presence,…
Over the last few weeks, the same conversation keeps coming up with the leaders I coach. They tell me how well their businesses are doing—record first-quarter sales, overflowing demand, and maxed-out teams. They’re even considering hiring more people. Then, without missing a beat, they say, “But I think we might have to lay some folks…
Walking into a meeting, my head is caught in a web of worries – we missed our sales target, I’m disappointed with the lead generation, and several projects are running behind. My irritation flares as the agenda items feel irrelevant to my immediate concerns, and soon, the meeting descends into unproductive conflict. On a different…