CBMC International

Years ago, I began writing a series of essays I called “Fourth Quarter Strategies.” The premise is that while every stage of our professional life is important, our final quarter should be our best. If we remain healthy, living to age 80 and beyond is a reasonable goal. That would mean the last 20-plus years … Read more

Beginnings captivate us. Endings bring relief or celebration. But leadership? Leadership happens in the middle – the long, unglamorous stretch where the path forward is not always clear, where crises emerge uninvited, and where the weight of responsibility presses down with relentless force. This is where most leaders live. You are managing a team, making … Read more

Early in my business career I spent a lot of time thinking about success. No one takes a job hoping or expecting to fail, so the alternative is to figure out how to succeed. At my disposal were books and audiotapes about achieving success, conferences where success tips were shared, and the insights of more … Read more

Someone described spectator sports in this way: Thousands of fans sitting in their seats – people desperately in need of exercise – watching athletes desperately in need of rest. Many of us have a great need for more physical activity. At the same time, however, rest is something we also require – especially as we … Read more

I am not a soldier. I have never picked up a weapon and stood guard during the night. I have never fought in a great battle, landed in hostile territory, or had a legitimate reason to wear a military uniform. I am also not a gifted athlete. I ride my bicycle some miles every week, but that has rarely caused anyone … Read more

In today’s competitive business environment, it is easy to fall into the trap of showing favoritism. Whether gravitating toward employees who share our interests, promoting those who mirror our communication style, or giving choice assignments to people we simply “connect” with, workplace partiality can create toxic environments that diminish both morale and productivity.  When looking … Read more

Everyone seems to be in such a hurry. It has been that way for a long time. It might have started with the Industrial Revolution, when much of the world began to shift from agrarian societies. When you are growing crops, farmers know you cannot rush the process. But when products are manufactured, such as … Read more

Are you familiar with “The Tortoise and the Hare,” the fable by the ancient Greek storyteller Aesop? It is about a fast-running hare (a relative of the rabbit) that ridicules a slow-moving tortoise. Wearied by the hare’s arrogant behavior, the tortoise decides to challenge it to a race. The race starts and the hare quickly … Read more

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to experience a life of ease? An idyllic existence devoid of struggle, adversity or pain? How about being able to meet deadlines without stress or pressure? Not having to be concerned about reaching sales quotas? Always having harmonious relationships with all coworkers and employees? Good luck … Read more

We are constantly making decisions. Whether in personal or professional settings, we all must decide what to do on a daily basis. From the moment we wake up, we decide whether to get out of bed or not. Then we choose the clothes we will wear, whether to have breakfast, where to go to work, which friends … Read more