The movie Jaws was a huge success. It made its indelible mark back in the mid-1970s and kept innumerable beach goers out of the water.  And while the huge shark was the focus of our fear as it reeked havoc killing unwitting swimmers, it was not the one we should have been most afraid of. … Continue reading Fear the mayor, not the shark.

You must color inside the lines. This is what we were taught. So, we did.  In fact, I was taught that you should, once you pick a color for a particular area, press your crayon hard and trace over the line as the extra wax would help you not accidentally go outside of it. So, … Continue reading The Art of Coloring Inside the Lines

“When” can be a destroyer of movement. “When” can subvert greatness. And people succumb to it all the time.  “I will step up *when* I get paid more.” “I will do more than the minimum requirement *when* I get more recognition.” “I will go out of my way *when* someone goes out of their way … Continue reading The tyranny of “when.”

Businesses like to communicate messages, and so many of them say, “We care about you” or “We want to help you.” But how many act out those messages? How many walk their talk? I was watching one of those house-hunting shows, and the realtor not only showed the client houses for purchase but also showed … Continue reading I want to help you, I really do. But do you really?

Are you proud of your work? If thousands were to watch you do your work on TV, would you be proud of what you do? Artists sign their work. Writers sign their work. Every performing artist and athlete has their name in a program and is known.  What if, like those artists, writers, performers, and … Continue reading Put your name on it.

Today, with so many voices out there vying for attention, standing out is a necessity … for companies … and people, including you. Want a new job? Stand out … as competent and talented. Want a promotion? Stand out … as valuable and necessary. Want to make a difference? Stand out … as different. This … Continue reading Stand out or stand still.

“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” -Oscar Wilde In his book, The Fred Factor, Mark Sanborn says, “Nobody can prevent you from choosing to be exceptional.” Yet (this is a big yet), we allow people, every day, to prevent us from being exceptional. We allow spouses, … Continue reading Our world needs you. It’s time to play up.

One of the biggest problems in our workplaces is the thinking that turning off your personality between 9 and 5 is how work is supposed to be. Malarkey!  Our quirks, spontaneity, and eccentricities are what make the human salad ...well... a flavorful salad. Why must that be turned off at work?  Like them or not, … Continue reading Be you. It’s all you’ve got.

Sometimes they are, it can’t be denied. They rant, they rave, they throw tantrums. And often, it’s over something that isn’t really a problem, it may be an inconvenience, but put into life-issue context, not really something to get so incredibly worked up over. Regardless, they want satisfaction … and maybe even a drop of … Continue reading Customers are ridiculous.

Years of business industrialization have made us compliant grinders, working to appease bosses and boardroom execs. We get up, log in, do what we are told, "produce, produce, produce," and when the whistle blows, punch the clock, log out, and prepare to do it all again.  It’s safe. It pays the bills. Just don’t rock the … Continue reading What’s holding you back?