My dad was born to Irish immigrants in 1928, the year the stock market crashed. The Depression lasted a full decade, plus. And think about this: During that decade, while his father drove for the Detroit Street Railway, his mother had five more children. Can we even imagine this today? (We tell the pollsters that … Continued
Ten days ago our Connor read his vows to Alexis. And Alexis read hers to Connor. I know it’s not a word, but they were sweeting! Ever since, I’ve been reflecting – like a mirror – back and forth from sweeting in love and marriage, to leading in business and partnership. What I keep … Continued
Maybe you aren’t cursed by urgency. I am, and so was a student. I was dismayed to find that the wonderful writing of this promising student was riddled with unattributed quotes. Plagiarism: it’s such an ugly, sad and troublesome word and, worse, a phenomenon to confront. Confront it I did. The student’s response was contrite … 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
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
Today a combined Reading for Leading and LeadingX2 (leading by two). I will keep this reasonably short by introducing a topic, two steps, and then continuing next week. In any strong partnership there come times when you need to “clear the air.” Your partner cuts you off while you’re speaking (again), or cuts … Continued
This is part 2 of 3 in thinking about one of – if not the greatest energy-sucks in organizational and family life: Conflict. Last week, I suggested a three-part foundation (if you missed last week’s RFL, the three parts are described in a little more detail at the end of this): Last week’s lessons: 1: … Continued
We were seven kids in a pretty healthy family. Seven kids in a 3-bedroom ranch. Oh, and seven 7 kids in our one Ford Country Squire. Picture the 9 of us, sardine chldren: We were a daily and nightly laboratory of conflict. My memory is that there was crying on pretty much a daily basis. Like … Continued
Perhaps you have read of Fr. Gregory Boyle, S.J. Boyle has been working (LEADING!) in Los Angeles for thirty years, dedicated to Homeboy Industries, “the largest gang intervention, rehabilitation and re-entry program in the world.” In his two books, he frequently introduces the “homies” (as he and they refer to themselves) by referencing aspects of … Continued
Two stories this week scream to those in authority and to those without authority- and I would guess that we are all both. In different contexts, we are with and without authority. The stories confront us with the worst of human nature and of the need for vigilance. We only have time for one story. … Continued