Tag: Hope for the Best But…

New Year’s Resolutions Are Made to Be Broken… So Break the Mold!

Written on January 15, 2015.

If you’re anything like me, by now you’ve probably put off your New Year’s resolution at least once, haven’t you? Let’s face it. Resolutions often dissolve as quickly as they are developed. Research has shown that for many of us, nothing really changes after New Year’s Day. According to Forbes Magazine, only 8% of people actually keep their resolutions. This uncomfortable truth begs the question: Why do so many of...

Feedback is the Breakfast of Champions

Written on December 10, 2014.

A couple of weeks ago, I did a webinar on leadership for a company in the Midwest. After that event, we sent out a survey to those who participated. We wanted them to freely share their thoughts on the experience. My excitement was high at the thought of hearing their responses, but I was disappointed when a few of the respondents wrote some very strongly worded comments that were not particularly positive. The truth...

“What-if Moments” and “Bite-Sized Goals” – Kevin Eastman’s Keys to Success

Written on October 30, 2014.

The NBA regular season begins this week, and we are in for an incredible season of exciting play from spectacular teams. But behind every on-court team…is a talented team of staff, and there are few individuals in the league as progressive as Kevin Eastman, former assistant coach and current Vice-President for Basketball Operations of the Los Angeles Clippers. Over dinner recently, Eastman taught me several valuable...

Use Fear — Good Fear that is — as Motivation!

Written on August 5, 2014.

Have you ever used fear as motivation? This may seem adverse to some people but, if channeled correctly, good fear can be a powerful stimulus in creating change. The Great ones in the sports and business worlds all know how to use their emotions to their advantage, and I cannot think of a better example of this principle than Tony La Russa. Throughout his Major League Baseball (MLB) career, he has used good fear to...

Attention to Greatness

Written on September 2, 2013.

Try to dissect why a great team wins a championship and you’ll quickly see it’s all about the moving parts. Can the offense use speed and timing to score frequently? Can the defense make the necessary adjustments to get the job done? Can every player on the team remember their own responsibilities and execute those tasks when needed? It’s fascinating to see how independent assignments can influence the collective...