On the Way to Greensburg

I’m not sure you can take a direct path to Greensburg. I can’t seem to. I always plan to get there nearer the May 4th Anniversary or earlier in the day when I finally do get headed that way. In my mind, I’m thinking that the boring state highway to the north and “the scenic route” that I was on, were likely equidistant. Wrong. Late again!

The Art of Fingerpainting

It’s that time of year again.
Time for a fresh start. A clean slate. A brand new sheet of finger paint paper.
Do you remember finger painting? I do. It was the closest thing to Nirvana that you can achieve in Elementary School.
Preparation is everything. First, I had to put on my “art shirt” on over my […]

Are You Addicted To Stress?

Women today rush from activity to activity with no time for rest or relaxation. They juggle an enormous amount of responsibility – but where is all of this pressure coming from? According to stress-management expert Debbie Mandel, the presence of stress in our lives has become so familiar that we’re actually uncomfortable if we don’t have it. The need many women feel to constantly be doing something comes from within, she says. It’s an addiction – and a dangerous one.

“When tasks don’t get crossed off the list, women experience stress resulting in sleepless nights and days filled with feelings of negativity and inadequacy,” explains Mandel, in her new book, ADDICTED TO STRESS

 

 Debbie Mandell, author of Addicted to Stress [10:37m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

A Leader’s Brain

Men and women lead differently.

Well, “Duh!”

Even though most businesspeople, from front line employees to CEOs, sense this at some level, they can’t quite articulate the differences without falling into the trap of creating male and female stereotypes. In their new book, LEADERSHIP AND THE SEXES: Using Gender Science To Create Success In Business, gender experts Michael Gurian and Barbara Annis show what the latest scientific studies reveal about male/female brain differences.

 

 Michael Gurian, author LEADERSHIP AND THE SEXES [12:30m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

Day 10: Geography & Environment

GRAND TETON, WY– What a beautiful part of the country this is. Soaring mountains, pine trees that outnumber the stars and the rare explosion of pent up gases that steam out of the ground. Despite the fact that we’ve had near perfect weather (and, I can’t imagine what perfection might feel like), I can still imagine it’s beauty in the middle of Winter. With apologies to California and Southern states, there’s nothing like all four seasons.

There are just some businesses that have to operate in this part of the country.

Music Scene is Alive & Kickin’

One of the “added value” benefits of the revitalization of the downtown area is the boom in the live music scene. Over the last few days, I’ve had the chance to sample 2 of the newer venues; Crosstown Station and Crossroads KC @ Grinders. First off, both are fantastic places to hear and view live music, up close and in person.

All Hail, Lord Stanley

There’s the Stanley Cup in a parade. There’s people waiting in line for five hours to get a picture with it. There’s its first visit ever to Newfoundland with a ceremonial swallow of “screech” (Long may your big jib draw) right out of the Cup. Apparently people also drink beer from the Cup, eat ice cream and even have their morning cereal. Hey, it’s theirs for 24 hours.

Tend to Your Garden

My wife and I had to face up to something pretty scary this weekend.

It was time. We both knew it, but neither wanted to be the first to say it aloud.

We had to get after the weeds in the garden. No amount of looking the other way would make them disappear. Yes, we could ignore them, and we would still have tomatoes, but the yield would be significantly less. Plus, it looks ugly.

There are several parallels to be drawn between gardening and business that come to mind, when you’ve got your hands wrapped around the hoe.

I’m Sorry…Sometime in the Future

Let me apologize in advance for unintentionally offending any individual, group, organization, corporation, non profit, race, geography or even, your dog.

In order to speak on a wide range of topics (many, I’m likely unqualified for) I will need to give myself permission to speak freely. I will hold out the possibility that I may be wrong a time or two or better, just misinformed.

Your Prescription for a Road Trip

I have a recommendation for those times of stress, times that you’re feeling tired, or just a bit grumpy. When you’re not feeling your usual, productive, self.

Get out of town. Take a break. Hit the road. Load up the car with bottled water, Twizzlers and your favorite tunes and get-out-of-Dodge…unless you’re from Dodge. Then, by all means get out.