Our biggest fear is that all our dreams might just come true.It was my best year ever. We grew the business in both market share and with double digit increases in operating income. Employee satisfaction was at an all time high and customer complaints at an historic low. Here is the Reader’s Digest version of…

“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 exactly how to tell us what he wants. His needs…

“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 I know. When your with me, sooner or later,…

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 was the real thing, purchased at the YMCA “Y’s…

“It is the long history of humankind that those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed.” – Charles DarwinEarly on in my career, I had responsibility for two senior leaders who could not get along. They both had the same objectives: Serving our customers, their fellow employees and our investors. But they…