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Counteract TV’s definition of appropriate behavior!
I’m a huge football fan, so my television gets a workout on weekends from August through early February. Other than that, I don’t watch. So it didn’t occur to me until recently that businesses, families, and communities compete with sitcoms and reality TV for the definition of appropriate behavior. During football season, I see a […]
Continue ReadingStop Crying ‘Racism’ For Everything In Life
It is impossible today to get through an entire news day without someone crying “Racism!” “Racist!” It is an intellectually lazy argument. And it has lost its power to shock or awe. There is a lot of indignation thrown around as people argue over education, health care, governance, the economy, and the direction of this […]
Continue ReadingFinding Your Hidden Leadership Potential
Several years ago I had the privilege of teaching an MBA Leadership course at a private college where enrollment is almost exclusively female. We had one brave male in class a couple of times. Each time, he added a great dimension to our discussions because of his willingness to share his perspective and because he […]
Continue ReadingInside MPS’s School System Reform Debate
I have been following the debate over the fate of MPS schools and felt it was time to share an insider’s perspective on what a particular public school reform looked like at the tactical level. When Mayor Michael Bloomberg took control of the failing public school system in New York City in 2002, he was […]
Continue ReadingBorrow a Page from the 12 step program and take a break!
We all need a break from time to time. Borrowing a page from the 12-step program, here are some things to consider just for today. Just for today, I will… Pretend that my life is perfect. Let my loved ones be themselves with no comment from me. Appreciate how well my body works even if […]
Continue ReadingConfident People Don’t Name-Call
Despite daily evidence from Washington and the entertainment industry to the contrary, truly powerful people do not resort to name-calling as a means of getting attention or being heard. Crazy, I know. We’ve all seen plenty of evidence showing how coarse our culture has become, and how juvenile. The name-calling in Washington and across the […]
Continue ReadingSpring-loaded to the p*ssed off position
Excuse the expression; it’s not one I normally use, especially in public. But it captures the mood of our times. A lot of people are angry and scared, frustrated with ongoing bad news, and out of both patience and trust. They are wound tight; ready to spring on anything they perceive to be a threat […]
Continue ReadingHelp We Don’t Need Regarding Bullies and Women’s Careers
I came across an old article today, the May 10, 2009 Sunday Business section of the New York Times. Entitled “Backlash: Women Bullying Women,” the article laid out the problem of women’s bullying, postulated reasons for it, and offered solutions. I found it disappointing on several levels. First, the article cited a survey by the […]
Continue ReadingThe Greatest Danger For American Culture
Like many of my fellow citizens, I watch the news with growing concern and, on some days, a hint of fear. I work hard to maintain a sense of perspective and as I review my current situation, I must admit that I have everything I need to make my way through this day with confidence […]
Continue ReadingImportant Lessons From Slumdog Millionaire
I had the privilege of seeing Slumdog Millionaire several weeks ago. And I do mean privilege. The movie was not on my list to see; the title turned me off. I imagined it had something to do with corruption and greed and I was not interested in being exposed to such things in the name […]
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