By Scott Westerman “The first law of business communication: Speak their language.”  How many times have you said “Thank You” this holiday season? Do you think the other person got the message? The highlight of our year was the arrival of our first grandson. At age six months, he’s learned…

By Scott Westerman “Our greatest fear is that we will be found out.” The December evening was unusually warm. We were sitting at the best table at one of the best restaurants in downtown Chicago. My dinner companion is, by all definitions, one of the smartest, successful and compassionate people…

By Scott Westerman In every boy’s life there is a Ralph Parker “Red Ryder Christmas“, the year when he got that one present that forever defined his youth. My Red Ryder Christmas happened in 1966. At 1926 Hampton Court, Christmas season officially began with the tree. For many years it…

By Scott Westerman “It is the long history of humankind that those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed.” – Charles Darwin Early on in my career, I had responsibility for two senior leaders who could not get along. They both had the same objectives: Serving our…

By Scott Westerman I don’t think that money equates to brains.” – Fred Meijer If you live outside the State of Michigan, it’s a good bet that you haven’t ever heard of Fred Meijer. But for my generation, he was the definition of a great leader. For many if us,…

By Guest Blogger David Murray. Scott’s note: Every now and then, I find another voice who inspires me, just as I hope to sometimes inspire you. This week’s guest blogger, David Murray is one of those voices. He is a marketing and a digital communications strategist and also a wise philosopher…

I recently received a note from a fellow Spartan who senses that her job may soon be eliminated. She is trying to get a head start on her next career adventure and wrote for advice. Here’s how I replied. You’re definitely doing the right thing by being proactive. That puts…

“Faith is the ability to step back and imagine your life as an enduring work of art before it’s fully created. Commitment is the discipline to zoom in and start creating it.”  In 2005 Alex Tew earned a million dollars, one pixel at a time. The student from Wiltshire, England,…

By Scott Westerman “There is no greater calling than to serve your fellow men. There is no greater contribution than to help the weak. There is no greater satisfaction than to have done it well.” Walter Reuther It was amoment I had been waiting for all week. Lunch with Brittany…