-
On Endurance
The signature of the truly great vs. the merely successful is not the absence of difficulty. It’s the ability to come back from setbacks, even cataclysmic catastrophes, stronger than before. ~Jim CollinsWhenever I need a refresher in the fundamentals of great leadership, I return to Jim Collins and his seminal work, “Good to Great“. Within…
-
Generosity: The greatest gift
It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that you cannot sincerely try to help another without helping yourself. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson A great misconception is that money is the ultimate success metric. The dedicated contribution of inspired, caring individuals is the true coin of the realm. If we are generous in…
-
Courage or Comfort?
“You can choose courage or you can choose comfort, but you cannot choose both!” ~Brene BrownWe live in a culture that values making things easier, not harder, trying to eliminate risk and discomfort. And yet, everyone who has done something amazing with their lives has paid the price. No great achievements are easy.This is one…
-
Understanding your “Why”
“He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” ~Friedrich NietzscheIf you’ve been a parent for any length of time, you’ve endured the “why” phase of childhood; that time when your kid continually asks “why” in response to everything you say. Eventually, we’ve all probably reverted to, “because I said so.”When it…
-
On Circumstance and Grit
“Don’t wait for extraordinary opportunities. Seize common occasions and make them great.” ~ ORISON S. MARDEN”People who soar are those who refuse to sit back, sigh and wish things would change,” writes Charles R. Swindoll. “They neither complain of their lot nor passively dream of some distant ship coming in. Rather, they visualize in their…
-
The Real Scott Westerman: 1925-2018
W. Scott Westerman, Jr., the man I’ve always called “The Real” Scott Westerman, passed away peacefully early in the morning of April 18, 2018, on what would have been my mother’s 93rd birthday.She would want me to remind you that she left us on Dad’s birthday nearly 13 years ago.He was lovingly cared for by…