“The realist sees reality as concrete.  The optimist sees reality as clay.” — Robert Brault   “PalletOne leaders happen to the world.”   Here’s what I mean by this statement:   We aren’t in charge of the circumstances we face.  Stuff happens.  Sometimes it is bad stuff.    When stuff happens, we control what we think about it.  We control what we do about it.    So, that brings us back to Brault’s quote.   Do you see the circumstances you

I listened to a podcast where New Orleans Pelicans Coach Willie Green was being interviewed about his rookie season heading an NBA team. I appreciated his understated style, but a couple of insights shared about leadership and team development resonated with me. He was asked about the biggest thing that surprised him about being the head coach.  He noted that he didn’t realize he would have to “talk” so much. Leaders have to “talk.” You

I listened to leader consultant Tim Kight interview Mark McCullough, who is an executive leader in the huge utility company American Electric Power. McCullough has worked for AEP his entire career. He started as a manager trainee at the bottom and has worked his way up to being the leader of over 5000 teammates and 8000 contractors. Kight asked McCollough to describe a formative experience.  He described an explosion.  The incident occurred in a power plant.  McCullough was

Mark Merrill writes about marriage and family.  I read with interest a list of five manners he says parents should teach their children. Selflessness – In a successful marriage, selflessness takes the lead.  Parents who are focused on putting each other first, teach their kids an invaluable relationship skill.  Model putting the “other” first and you will teach your kids the fundamentals of affirmation and respect. Please and Thank You – Please says “I’m not entitled.”  Thank

“What you do speaks so loudly, I can’t hear what you’re saying.”  – Ralph Waldo Emerson Author Ralph Waldo Emerson said it originally, but you might have seen Alabama legendary football coach Nick Saban say it on television recently.    If you are a football fan, you probably have a strong feeling about Saban.  Some find glory in his successful tenure in Alabama.  Some resent his success and are glad his team fell to Georgia in Monday’s championship

“…we recognize truly gifted leadership in those who attempt much, whether they fully achieve it or not. The leaders who help us get results beyond those we thought possible, who expand our vision of what may be possible, who are willing to risk choosing a direction others know is impossible—these are the leaders we admire most.” – Sandy Shugart, President, and CEO at Valencia College This is a “happening to the world” quote.   If I had

Here’s a leadership fundamental that may seem to be counterintuitive: “Be quick to listen and slow to speak.” Most of us associate leadership with “talking.”  Leaders have to be the boss.  They make decisions.  They give direction.  They provide inspiration.  They deliver the “hard” feedback. All of that may be true.  But when you think about it, leaders must still place a premium on listening versus talking. The best decisions occur when all the facts

“What matters most in the end, though, is this: your belief in your capacity to create positive change and the courage to take action.” – Tom Kelley Reducing the above quote to two questions: #1:  Can you make a difference? I believe in the concept of having “agency.”  You develop agency by building upon existing skills and adding to them.  You develop agency by attacking harder things on a regular basis and gaining competency from

“Focus on building a track record of success, and people will keep betting on you.” I was reading an article by Adam Bryant, a columnist from the New York Times.  For 10 years, he’s written a weekly column where he interviews a CEO and describes what he learns.  He is wrapping up this series and is moving on to something else.  He wrote his last column yesterday. Since it was his closing address, he offered some summary thoughts

People who are mentally tough… Have a growth mindset. They have faith things can and will get better versus stay the same. Can focus on what’s important versus falling victim to distractions. Don’t lose their cool under pressure. Work relentlessly in pursuit of their goals. Bounce back quickly from setbacks and disappointments. Choose to do the right things when they don’t feel like it. Have insight into what others think and feel. Face fearful things