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Analysis of Susan Rice’s Message to Women

Given the tragedy in Benghazi, the search for truth far after the incident, and the growing suspicion of the US government, the appointment of Susan Rice to National Security Advisor is nothing short of incredible, meaning not to be believed. I went back to watch her appearance on ABC News “This Week” with Jake Tapper […]

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How to Reverse a Risk-Averse Culture

The June 3, 2013 issue of The Wall Street Journal featured a front-page article written by Ben Casselman titled, “Risk-Averse Culture Infects U.S. Workers, Entrepreneurs.” No kidding. My first book, “How to Grow a Backbone,” published in 2000, identified three elements of Backbone: Competence, Confidence, and Risk-Taking. In the thirteen years that we have been […]

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Culture Rot and Sandy Hook Elementary

The heartbreaking, soul sickening news out of Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT has once again ignited outrage over guns. But here’s my question: When will we have the courage and intestinal fortitude to take on the root causes of this terrible tragedy? When will we finally get sick enough of these outrageous crimes […]

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Captain Immaturity and Politics

I don’t typically comment on politics.  I learned long ago that everyone has an opinion and it is usually based on personal experience.  But as Founder of Backbone Institute, I cannot sit silent after last night’s vice-presidential debate. I am keenly disappointed in Joe Biden’s behavior.  As a girl, I listened from time to time […]

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Responsiveness is good. In moderation.

Have you noticed how responsive your life has become? You respond to email, voice mail, text messages, customer requests, business demands, sudden changes in circumstances, family needs, opinions, and news bulletins of all sorts. Responsiveness is good. In moderation. What is not good are the unintended consequences that develop when responsiveness overtakes purpose. When the […]

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The Power of Helping Each Other Grow

I had the privilege of attending a reception at Marquette University last Friday evening and I was struck by the energy in the room. The event honored the new Applied Investment Management program, started because one student–William Heard–wanted real-world experience to augment his academic studies and he moved mountains to convince people at Marquette and […]

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The State of Public Schools in Milwaukee

A fight over governance. Speedy hire of a new Superintendent. A model school chastised for success. A business community on the sidelines. Failing students. Entrenched dysfunction. We see these things happening in Milwaukee and feel outraged, ashamed, and sometimes incredulous, but largely paralyzed to do anything about it. What’s going on? I had the privilege […]

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Want to Reinvent? Take the Thinking Challenge

The title of Chapter Five in my book How to Grow A Backbone (ISBN: 978-0-8092-2494-4) is “Expand and Contract: Your Thinking Must Change.” The theme of the January-February 2010 issue of Harvard Business Review is “Reinvent.” In a variety of articles, readers are repeatedly encouraged to rethink where they are; reassess assumptions, roles, and links […]

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