We met on an airplane at Chicago’s Midway airport – both of us on our way home. He was coming from Florida, from being with his dad at his 90thbirthday. “Yesterday, we played golf together. How great is that!”   I was on my way home also, after having been in Texas working on a [...]

I do not like to cut down trees. I would much rather prune them. But, last summer, I grabbed my chainsaw and cut down a tree which blocked our satellite television reception (cable is not an option at our country home). Pruning was just not enough. Reaching the tree was a major challenge. First, I [...]

Last spring, I was on my hands and knees in the dirt, pulling weeds. For the most part, I enjoy working in our yard. But, when it comes to weeding, I really hate it. On this first day of spring weeding, I was pleasantly surprised at how easily these terrible weeds came out. It was [...]

Pain is painful – there’s little doubt. But, there are also lessons about life to be learned in our pain if we’re truly open and willing to listen. Failure is painful. The recent issue of Harvard Business Review is entitled, “The Failure Issue.” Inside you can read former P&G CEO A.G. Lafley say, “I think [...]

Why is it we are so hesitant to embrace and be transparent about our limitations? Are we fearful of weakness and vulnerability, thinking they will keep us from being successful? Recently, I went to see the just-released movie “The King’s Speech” about King George VI of England. It’s an incredibly inspiring, soul-lifting historical drama. The [...]

He was a young pastor reopening a dilapidated church in Brooklyn just before Christmas. It was December 18 and he had worked hard plastering walls, painting, and repairing pews. He wanted everything ready for that most important Christmas Eve service, their first as a church. On December 19, a driving rainstorm hit New York City [...]

The navel gazing curse is rampant. A client of mine once worked with a consultant to help them clarify their company’s brand. The consultant interviewed the executive team, middle managers and dozens of employees. The consultant asked about the company’s history, values, and personality. I listened to my client explain the branding project they had [...]

Rats crawl through the rafters. Gunshots echo in the distance. Summer memories from long ago living in Philadelphia’s ghettos. Sirens scream, voices cry. Gangs fight; prostitutes hail. Addicts crave; homeless hunger. Memories triggered by a “Broad Street” sign – my collegiate summer home – causes the past to seep into the present. Then, I came [...]

“Len, I have an idea for a new toilet! Can we meet this week and talk about it?” Two days later, Dennis nearly danced into my office bursting with excited. “This is just the coolest thing,” he exclaimed. “Tell me about it,” I said. For the next hour, Dennis (not his real name) told me [...]

“I have no regrets,” declared the old, frail woman. “If I could live my life all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing!” I was in my 20s when I first heard those words. Now, three decades later, I ponder her words and think, “What a foolish old woman. She should know better.” Yet, I [...]

My wife and I recently went bicycling and she lost her balance when traveling through a narrow, curvy pathway. Her feet stuck in the pedal stirrups and she fell. Her rib cage slammed against a steel handrail and she broke two ribs. She’s now in week four of healing; feeling better. Losing balance can be extremely [...]

My dad died on Father’s Day, just a few weeks ago. It was sudden; though, not unexpected. He was 83; everyday was a gift. He fell at dinnertime, fractured his hip and was taken to the hospital. In the evening he was resting comfortably. By 5 AM, he was dead. The fall was too much [...]