I sent out a short list of good books from 2018 on Friday. You can read my mini-reviews and click the links here. With this Read2Lead, I finish 2018. By the next time I write, my niece Erin will have given birth. Her amazing Maximus will have a brother or sister. Her kids won’t know … Continued
Here’s a short list of books I’ve enjoyed, separated into a few categories: 1. Being your best self. Anne Lamott, Almost Everything: Notes on Hope. I would describe Anne Lamott as a seeker, seer, and humorist. She always brings me to an awakened sense of, “Oh, right! That’s what matters.” She tells the hard truth she has … Continued
Today’s story is short and stands on its own – a tender example of LeadingX2: James Addison Baker III, was George H.W. Bush’s longtime friend, chief of staff and secretary of state. Bush had been close to Baker who was only forty when Baker’s first wife had died, and was with Bush last week, as … Continued
The Irish priests in Boston know their politics. Still, Fr. McInnes’ prescience and sophistication jolted me. During our marriage preparation, he knew full well the aspirations I was packing up for my trip from the ideals of Harvard’s halls to the political streets where I intended to run in Detroit. “Dan, what if the party … Continued
Cathy Raines, an organizational development expert at the State Department, thoughtfully challenged my post last week about how military heroes seldom act in a solitary way, but instead depend heavily on LeadingX2. She asked the two-part question: “What’s a step I can take and with whom as my partner/buddy?” I answer them in reverse order. … Continued
Often we think that soldiers are solitary heroes. This is almost never the case in that they train, work and survive in units, often in critical pairs. And often we think they enlist out of patriotism. That contains truth for some.* Actually, more enlist in the army for adventure, and for occupational and economic reasons. … Continued
Thanks to so many of you who commented on last week’s blog, offering feedback on the “Clear the Air” series and expressing interest in future topics. A good number asked me to write about “thoughts on leading as American citizens in this unsettling time.” With the primary tomorrow, that feels timely. I believe the major … Continued
I have felt confused and disappointed for the last three weeks, when I wrote the 3-part series on how to clear the air with “I feel…when you…because” statements, and when I did not get any comments from readers; because I feel like this method offers so much value, yet your collective silence made me wonder … Continued
Recap of the last two weeks: This series is about how to clear the air with an important work or home partner. Part One spoke to the importance of standing up for yourself when a partner has hurt the relationship, but also recognizing that it is your problem and opportunity-responsibility to raise the issue…until you … Continued
Last week I wrote about the need each of us has from time to time to clear the air, to get something off our chest that is creating stress for us, and likely diminishing trust, enthusiasm and collaboration for work with a key colleague – or friend or family member. In that first blog, I … Continued