Not sure about your plans for the 4th but Richard Stinson who directs safety efforts for the treating team sent this out.  It’s worth repeating: As we roll into the 4th of July, let’s  take a moment to drop a few reminders about celebrating our freedom responsibly.  Yes, you can be responsible and still have fun! Traffic: The roads will be packed for the next few days Watch your speed Put the phone down Maintain […]

The last time you observed or were involved in an accident: did it feel like you were in heavy traffic? I live near Mickey Mouse land and the traffic worsens here every year.  Traffic jams are frustrating. Movement is slowed.  Time is wasting.  You fill crowded and irritated. Our mind tells us to do something!  Free things up!  Make something happen! You begin considering driving on the shoulder?  Crossing the median? Cutting off the less […]

It’s a privilege to share these notes every day. Why do I write them? My goal is to capture the “corporate knowledge” and deliver it to all of you. When anyone in our organization is confronted with a situation where there is uncertainty about what to do, I want all these notes to form the voice in your head that guides you to the best decision. There are some of you who have read these […]

Have you developed the skill of “courageous communication”? I don’t know if you noticed, but the times where there aren’t some problems to address are rare.  When problems exist, you have a choice.  Will I address it or tolerate it? In the end, the condition of the team/family/relationship where you are involved will be based on what is tolerated and what gets addressed.  My experience is that we are all prone to tolerate as compared […]

“If you don’t know why it’s working well when it’s working well, you can’t fix it when it breaks.” Andy Stanley Candidly, there are a lot of things in my world that I’m not sure how they work. I get in car and push a button, I hope it works. I flip a switch on my heater/air conditioner, I hope it does the right thing. The list goes on and on. But, taken in context […]

Did you receive feedback in the last seven days? Great organizations are built on culture.  Quality communication exists in every significant culture. One of the best communication tools we have is the feedback we give and receive. Do you routinely give feedback?  Upon reflection, most of us realize we could do more. Most of us do feedback silently.  Here’s what I mean: I have people in my life who I love and respect.  I appreciate […]

“Nothing changes if nothing changes?” Generally, it’s accurate that most of us want things to be better in the future.  You can describe “better” in any number of ways; wealthier, healthier, easier, more peaceful, smarter. But, it’s also accurate to say that most of us resist change.  Change calls for new routines.  More learning.  Better habits.  Redesigned schedules.  More investment.  Change isn’t easy.  If we want better outcomes tomorrow, we must figure out what changes […]

I have a place I drive to visit routinely. I go there two to three times a week.  Maybe 10 years or so. The first time I went I was given directions.  I’ve followed that path ever since. Today I tried a different way.  It was three tenths of a mile shorter.  Straighter path.  Fewer curves.  Quicker way. I feel a little silly telling the story. I calculate I’ve driven about 1,000 miles farther and […]

Heard this and haven’t researched it, but it’s an interesting idea: Our brain is the biggest energy-consuming organ in our body.  Estimated usage is around 20% of the total energy consumed. Thus, our brain gets tired easy and prefers to take the easy way out anytime it can.  So, left to its own resources, the brain will default to automatic paths and patterns we have established before.  In essence, it takes energy to think.  It […]

What makes a team effective? You can answer as a teammate or leader. Here are the questions for which everyone needs answers: Does each player understand what his job is and understand how the team prospers when that job is done well? Is there a premium placed on good, honest and transparent communication?  Is all the information at hand to do each job well? Is each person developing skills and abilities which increase her value […]