Rudy Story Several years ago I had the opportunity to facilitate an interactive leadership learning experience for about 120 college student leaders in Iowa. Following my part, Daniel Eugene Ruettiger, otherwise known as Rudy, took the stage to inspire the…
“If I said no, I might always say no,” was stated by an executive trying to make a decision about a career move. He said “yes” to the new opportunity and was grateful he took the risk. “I’m brave and…
One of the first news stories I read this morning in the USA Today Money section online was titled, Kraft Shares Soar as Investors Drink Heinz-Kraft “Kool-Aid.” The article emphasized the 30%-plus surge in Kraft stocks that happened in the…
Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote… “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” I firmly believe in order to lead well you must know yourself. Knowing yourself is being aware…
Leaders are decision makers. You may have a title that requires you to make decisions. You may have the influence of expertise, longevity, respect, or knowledge that places you as the decision maker. As a decision-making leader it is important…
I have often heard the statement, “You should hire people who are smarter than you.” You might want to reconsider this proposition before jumping on the bandwagon of this leadership ideology. To begin, let me define a smart person. This…
With the rise of social media, a compelling addiction to our devices, and a culture of privacy, has the art of building personal relationships diminished? Honestly, I am not sure I know the answer. However, I do believe that the…
Influence In John Maxwell’s book, “Developing the Leader Within You,” he defines leadership simply as influence. John writes, “Leadership is influence. That’s it. Nothing more; nothing less.” While influence is at the core of understanding leadership, it is important to…
In our American tradition, the first Thanksgiving is attributed to the Pilgrims that traveled across the Atlantic Ocean to settle in Plymouth. The Mayflower carried 102 hopeful passengers across the wide open ocean to start a new life. They landed…
Come with me to the land of Innovation. Innovation is filled with beautiful roaring rivers, towering snow-covered mountains, flowing green valleys, deep canyons, and dense forests. When you look at Innovation from afar, it appears exciting, wonderful, and full of…