Over three years ago, I sent the following anonymous story to my colleagues with mixed results.
Many people cried; some people said nothing; a few wrote to relate how this story gave them a new perspective on life, and one person vowed never to take any chance meeting for granted.
Read MoreRecently in a rather upscale restaurant having dinner with my wife, I asked for some bread for the table. The waiter without hesitation responded, “No worries” and left to retrieve a fresh loaf of bread. Or, so I thought.
Read MoreWhen I type my next destination into my GPS, the navigation guidance system speaks a familiar content and tone through the car speakers:
Read MoreThere are many moments in our lives that we want to hold on and never let go. These “milestone moments” are often recalled in our daydreams as our minds wander, much like a CD or DVD looking for what track number to play. We try to relive the feeling, visualize certain peoples’ faces, strive to hear every single sound, and breathe in all the surrounding aromas. For the moment, we are back at high school opening up our locker, or on vacation, walking down the beach searching for seashells.
Read MoreWhile waiting for his name to be called to the stage to receive his diploma, Tim recalled some key events from the past four years. He thought back to Freshman Orientation, back when the campus seemed so big and course selection was so confusing; the introduction to so many new experiences from food plans, dorm rooms, and the campus bookstore was so overwhelming.
Read MoreIn the hospitality industry, there is a common rule of guest interaction called “The 10-5 Rule.” Within 10 feet, the employee visually greets the guest by making eye contact accompanied by a slight head nod and smile. These visible actions demonstrate to guests that they are acknowledged. As the employee and guest draw closer, the employee provides a warm, positive and upbeat greeting within 5 feet of the guest.
Read MoreThere is an enemy among us. It compromises our relationships, results in lost business, and produces poor quality results. This enemy leaves customers confused, angry, and wanting more.
The enemy’s name? “Okay.”
With my left blinker on and my speed approaching that of the adjacent traffic lane, I look for some sign of “permission” to merge. The BMW driver in the adjacent lane is just slightly behind me, and I adjust my speed up as the merge lane is quickly coming to an end.
“Come ‘on, please let me in.”
Read MoreI am restless, and I really don’t understand why.
Is it because tragic world events disrupt and disturb an otherwise peaceful day?
Is it because news of global warming and the environmental consequences dim my outlook?
Is it because many of the world leaders’ words hurt, divide and confuse?
At 2:00 pm on August 31, 2001, the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) aired the final original showing of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. After more than 30 years of greeting youngsters each day on television with his trademark "Hi, Neighbor," Fred Rogers, host and creator of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, put away his cardigan and sneakers for the last time.
This week, the world took pause to recognize the 50th Anniversary of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, which first aired on February 19th, 1968.
Read MoreAt this time of year, I often reflect on the Christmas mornings growing up in Lawrenceville, New Jersey - the opening of presents, the wrapping paper flying everywhere, the smell of freshly brewed coffee, the sound of bacon sizzling on the stove, Christmas songs playing on the stereo, and the many hugs and smiles from my grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and friends dropping in throughout the day. But there is one Christmas in particular that I recall each year. A Christmas morning that changed my life.
Read MoreIt is nearly dusk as the sun greets the orange and blue horizon over Boston Harbor. Judy and her daughter, Michelle, are cuddled together on the living room couch. Michelle, just three years old, draws her baby doll closely to her chest, and holds her mother's hand tightly.
With their Thanksgiving feast now complete, family and friends gathered to listen to the traditional reading of "The Thanksgiving Letter."
Read More"You are wrong again!"
[ no response ]
"I told you yesterday and last week that this is not what I expect!" raising my voice even louder.
[ still no response ]
"Look, I thought we had an understanding. You are really disappointing me, and we may need to make a change. And, it's not going to be pretty!"
[ silence ]
Suddenly, I hear my wife's voice from the adjacent room.
"Are you yelling at the bathroom scale again?"
Read MoreIt has been another long week. Your job, overall, is going well. The job pays the bills, provides benefits for the family and allows you to save something for the future. But at times, the job takes its toll on life outside of work. Yes, there are times when you have missed your child's sporting events, or it's been over a month since you have been out with your friends. And there was that time the you almost scheduled a business trip on your wedding anniversary or missed wishing your mom a "Happy Birthday." But overall, you feel you have managed well over the years to achieve a good work/family balance.
However, this is not the case for Steve and his son Billy. It's 8:30 PM as Steve finally arrives home. Eight-year-old Billy, Steve's "best buddy," is in his pajamas and ready for bed. Upon hearing the door open, Billy runs to see his Dad.
Read MoreOn July 4, 1776, our founding fathers of the Continental Congress signed the "Declaration of Independence" that challenged the greatest power of the world to a fight. At the core of the fight were certain "words" that were unheard of at the time of monarchies and tyrants.
Those words "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness" set the stage for an arduous struggle that lasted several years with much loss of life and property. At the end of the war with England, freedom was born, and the definition and application of those words was just beginning.
Read MoreReading the advertisements in the back of a tennis magazine, an advertisement caught a young man's attention: "The Secret of Never Losing Another Game in Tennis," offered by the only "undefeated" tennis player alive.
"This could be the answer I have been looking for!" he said to himself. "Once I have the secret, I can stop reading all these magazines for best practices, stop working out each day, and stop my special high protein and low carbohydrate diet."
He quickly completed the application form, wrote out a check for $99.95, and placed both the application and check into an envelope.
Read MoreSome time ago when I was teaching a college class on responsible leadership, I asked the class to play the "Telephone Game." The "Telephone Game" is a classic communication game in which the person in the front of the room is given a short phrase to remember and then whispers the phrase into the ear of the person next to them. The process continues until the phrase reaches the last person in the room. The phrase I used that day was, "Great teams become great when each team member does more than their role, and each team member delivers their absolute best."
Read More[Today, September 11, 2016, marks the fifteenth anniversary of the terrorist act on the World Trade Center, at the Pentagon, and in a field in Pennsylvania which took the lives of over 3,000 innocent people. Fifteen years ago, I wrote the following "Friday Story" in an effort to express the many elements of sorrow, fear, and hope that earmarked that tragic day. Today, we still have many of those elements still with us, and most likely they will always be our companions. However, it is hope that we hold onto most dearly in our efforts to comfort the wounded and bring peace to those who continue to suffer fifteen years later.]
Read More[It's your first day on the job. After completing the necessary HR paperwork, you gather in a large conference room with other new employees. You find a seat, reshuffle your paperwork, and say hello to the person next to you. You take out your new company notebook and begin to write some notes, when someone in the front of the room interrupts your thoughts to make an announcement that the President of the company has arrived. She would like to welcome you to the company and say a few words on leadership.]
Read MoreMaking her daily rounds at the hospital one morning and coming into patient room 1010 on the Cardiac Ward, Dr. Mary Nelson is startled as a patient suddenly wakes up and shouts -
"Who are you?"
"Good morning, why my name is Dr. Mary Nelson. I am your attending physician."
"No, I mean who really are you?"
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