Author: Scott Westerman
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Carpe Diem!
After 8 years, 3 months and 17 days of living the Spartan Life, Colleen and I are headed back home to Florida.On January 1, 2010, we began our MSU Alumni Association adventure at the Alamo Bowl. Since that time, we have lived and loved the MSUAA lifestyle. Michigan State cured her Ovarian Cancer twice, giving…
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What the world needs now…
It’s been a week off the grid recentering with my family and a time to ponder some of the things that that the world needs now.When I see the often overt hate speech that proliferates so freely in the pseudo anonymity of social media I feel two powerful emotions: anger and sadness.I am angry that…
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Drink, Steal, Swear and Lie
I’ve been at a conference of my alumni peers this week. On the last evening, one of our valued colleagues announced her retirement, telling the crowd to “Drink, Steal, Swear and Lie”. I was a bit taken aback… until she explained..Drink daily from the cup of knowledge. Never stop learning and you will never stop…
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Extraordinary Social Media Engagement: How It’s Done
Can a police department gain a positive national following by engaging on social media? Here’s the story of one that did.I’m a huge fan of the Newport Beach, California, Police Department. Not only do they protect and serve their community with professionalism and class, they are best in class at telling their stories in an…