Author: Don Yaeger

A Lesson From Ronda Rousey: Don’t Let Your Job Define You

Written on January 5, 2017.

Not that long ago, UFC star Ronda Rousey was billed as “the world’s most dangerous woman” and with commercial endorsements and movie appearances seemed poised to make a major impact on pop culture. That was before two “setbacks” in the Octagon. While her star has dimmed considerably in those last two fights, Rousey’s story offers valuable insights and serves as a warning for those of us who get too wrapped...

A New Year’s Challenge: Share Your Dreams

Written on January 3, 2017.

In a couple of days some of us will make New Year’s Resolutions and some of us will share them with others as a way to hold ourselves accountable. But have you ever been challenged to share your dreams? Earlier this year I spent a grueling week on the basketball court, learning about teamwork and dreams at “K Academy” which advertises itself as “America’s number one college basketball fantasy camp.” Laugh all you...

4 Lessons On Managing Sudden Leadership Transitions From One Of The Best

Written on December 20, 2016.

In the final seconds of a loss at the hands of Illinois State in October 2005, the Southern Illinois University football team experienced what appeared to be a nightmare. Coach Jerry Kill, one of the masters of rebuilding college football programs, collapsed on the sidelines, his body convulsing as he suffered a seizure. Players panicked, not sure what to do, as Rebecca Kill, who knew that her husband had epilepsy,...

Absolute Advantage Interviews Don Yaeger

Written on December 13, 2016.

http://rebuild2017.donyaeger.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/absolute-advantage-don-yaeger.mp3

Rare Air: John Maxwell, Urban Meyer Show Great Leaders Are Always Learning

Written on November 11, 2016.

The truly great ones, no matter their level of expertise, are always learning. Unlike many of us who grow complacent, the truly great are aware that there is always room to improve and ways to grow. They never believe they know it all. Just as important, the best of the best know there are always places to go to learn more and people to learn from. I experienced this lesson firsthand recently while recording the first...

Have Fun On The Job: Lessons From The World Series

Written on October 27, 2016.

The Cleveland Indians opened the World Series with an impressive win over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night but the American League champions almost didn’t get there. During Game 3 of the American League Championship Series against the Toronto Blue Jays, the Indians looked like they were in trouble. Starting pitcher Trevor Bauer had injured his finger a few days before in an accident and the wound reopened during the...

Bold Leadership Matters

Written on October 18, 2016.

Thomas Jefferson was fed up. For more than 15 years, he had been fighting to convince the American government that something needed to be done about the hostage crisis along the Barbary Coast of North Africa. For centuries, state-sanctioned pirates from Algeria, Tripoli (now Libya), Algiers, and Morocco, had been aggressively pursuing European and North American trading vessels, sometimes merely stealing the ships’...

Embrace High Expectations: Lessons From Joe Maddon And The Chicago Cubs

Written on October 7, 2016.

The National League Division Series starts tonight and the Chicago Cubs, who haven’t won a World Series since 1908, are one of the favorites to win it all. Since the final out last year when they lost to the New York Mets in the National League Championship Series, almost everyone has expected the Cubs to be the team to beat this year. Unlike most teams, which too often play down expectations, the Cubs have embraced...

Paralympic Champion Follows Her Dreams With Unstoppable Determination

Written on September 13, 2016.

One of America’s most inspiring athletes is about to compete for the gold in Rio and once again live up to the words her father would say to her when he tucked her in each night in her childhood. “You’re the best, you can make a difference, you can change the world.” Of course, the Summer Olympics ended last month but the Paralympics kicked off last week, and American swimmer Mallory Weggemann is set to shine. Yet...