In honor of Veterans Day… Took a sacred walk last week, Thursday, November 7th with my family.  We were visiting Normandy, France which is the site of the D-Day Invasion.  Historians say D-Day changed the course of World War II and history as we know it. This happened 75 years ago.  As the distance grows from the date of this monumental effort, the generations of today may be losing the thread on this event and […]

“A leader that won’t listen to others will eventually be surrounded by people that have nothing to say.” – Andy Stanley What’s the climate like at work? I believe that communication ought to be constant, transparent, and courageous.  The stage for those three things to happen is set by a leader who listens well. The best teams communicate constantly.  Encouragement flows.  Teaching and sharing are mainstays.  Total, constant communication means everyone takes their turn and […]

“We don’t know who we are until someone tells us.” I first identified as a leader in fourth grade.  My teacher, who knew I played organized sports, assigned me the role of putting my class softball team together. I had the right players in the right spot.  They thought we were playing recreational ball.  We kicked their butt. As we returned to our classroom, the teacher from the other class stopped me and said: “Mr. […]

“How you live your days is how you live your life.”  – Annie Dillard Your life will mount up to your daily efforts and habits.  If you intend to create a life that matters, you will make the most out of most of your days. I recognize that sentence sounds obsessive.  But, it’s truthful nonetheless.  When you look around and consider what they have in common, I bet the list looks something like this: Consistent. […]

“When opportunity is knocking, don’t complain about the noise.” –  Chad Veach Progress, growth and/or learning doesn’t come easy.  You don’t sit down to a piano and begin playing.  You don’t pick up a nail gun and start nailing. Whatever comes easy to you, eventually, you get to the point where the next step comes harder.  The next skill is more intricate.  The next concept more complex. The competition is harder.  You discover there is […]

“When I consider the tremendous consequences from little things, I am tempted to think there are no little things.”  – Bruce Barton   As I reflect upon this statement, there is so much truth to it.    So much of our life is defined by little things.    When we study accidents in our plant, it’s usually a brief lapse or small details that aren’t attended to which cause the event.  So often we hear […]

As a facilitator who has often led discussions about how we can get better, communication is always a targeted emphasis.  No one has ever said communication is as good as it can be. Great communication is fueled by an organization where listening is prioritized.  Teammates who value listening and practice it assure a number of things. Where good listening is practiced, respect dominates.  Good listening has respect at its foundation. Teammates who listen well demonstrate […]

When giving feedback, consider using this pattern: Don’t do (that), Do (this). A “don’t do” statement is evaluative.  Many times, we avoid evaluative comments or direction because it is perceived as judgmental or harsh.  I have often adhered to this strategy. But, I read recently that evaluative feedback is often more memorable.  Maybe because it’s stark. Maybe because it can sting a little.  But, it’s still more memorable. The logic is this: It’s the feedback […]

As I mentioned, there are 40 people on our mission team in Guatemala. While most are skilled medical pros, the primary criteria for making the team is that they “want” to be here. Some have retired.  It’s the only week they provide medical care all year.  The equipment is mostly “older school”.  They aren’t working in the well-equipped setting they usually find at home. We don’t come here knowing what we will find, so there’s […]

I’m in Guatemala on a medical mission trip this week.  Rest assured, no one is counting on me for medical care. My team of 40 deliver surgical care to over 100 folks, to people who otherwise wouldn’t have care available to them. I’ve been accompanying my wife on this trip for a while.  This is her 14th year.  She’s a nurse and cares for the patients.  I run errands for the care givers and help […]