“If we can stop excusing ourselves, we can get better at almost anything.” ‒ Marshall Goldsmith The subtitle of Marshall Goldsmith’s book, What Got You Here Won’t Get You There, is How Successful People Become Even More Successful. In his role as a highly sought-after executive coach, Goldsmith zeros in on the details of what...

“I consider my ability to arouse enthusiasm among men the greatest asset I possess. The way to develop the best that is in a man is by appreciation and encouragement.” ‒ Charles R. Schwab During grade school, Charles Schwab seemed destined for a life of mediocrity. Labelled a slow learner by the nuns at his...

“A goal without a plan is just a wish.” ‒ Antoine de Saint-Exupery Pilot Antoine de Saint-Exupery lived just 44 years (1900 to 1944), but became a legend due to a short book he wrote called The Little Prince. This literary classic tells the story of an aviator who crashed in the desert. There, he...

“What you cannot enforce, do not command.” ‒ Sophocles Every six years, eager new senators descend on the Washington, D.C., political scene determined to make their mark in government. A flurry of government policy making commences after the swearing-in ceremonies. Bills that are highly touted but never actually read become federal laws that are overly...

“Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.” – Michael Corleone, The Godfather (1972) Don’t think everyone is singing your praises even if you are smart, hardworking, and motivated. After all, smart people routinely show up dumb people. Hard workers make it impos- sible for the lazy folks to skate by. Motivated people make the...

“Achieving a balance of power between the board and CEO requires trust, the free flow of ideas, and a board that is comfortable challenging even the most powerful CEO.” – Bill George Beyond Bill George writing two bestselling books, True North: Discovering Your Authentic Leadership and Authentic Leadership: Rediscovering the Secrets to Creating Lasting Value,...

“If winning isn’t everything, why do they keep score?” – Vince Lombardi Vince Lombardi started playing college football at Fordham University in the Bronx, New York. He was a lowly guard, a mere slip of a guy at only five feet eight inches and 185 pounds. His small stature said great things about the man...

“Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.” – Don Miguel Ruiz Whether a co-worker is complaining about pointless meet- ings, an office manager...

“Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric.” – Bertrand Russell Technology is just one area where reality outpaces popular opinion. Steve Jobs and Bill Gates thought personal comput- ers would become the new chicken in every pot. But the two men had no idea that families...

“When you are making a difficult decision, decide what you absolutely must get out of the transaction and what you are prepared to do to get it.” –Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln is not the first person who comes to mind when thinking about modern sales techniques. But, sales and politics have a lot in common....

“Financially independent people seem to be better able to visualise the future benefits of defining their goals.” – Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko According to Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko in The Millionaire Next Door, your average millionaire tends to be a small-business owner in his or her fifties who lives...

“Trust lies at the heart of a functioning, cohesive team.” – Patrick Lencioni If a true friend asks you for a favour, you probably do not first say: “That depends on what it is.” You simply say: “Sure” ‒ not because you would do anything for your friend, no matter how crazy the request, but...