rtamasy

I'm privileged to be a husband, father and grandfather. An of Ohio State University graduate, I'm a diehard Buckeyes fan. Author, editor and co-author of numerous books, including "Tufting Legacies." "The Heart of Mentoring" (with David Stoddard), and "Business At Its Best." I've been a journalist for more than 40 years, the first 10 as editor of community newspapers, and a magazine editor for 17 years. My job has been to be "never at a loss for words." I strive to integrate my faith into every area of my life - work, family, play - in meaningful, practical ways. I'm creative, whether with words or camera in hand, and enjoy music.
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This week in the United States millions will celebrate Thanksgiving Day. Similar observances take place in other countries and in cultures around the world. For many people this serves as a time to “count their blessings,” reflecting on the good things they have experienced over the past year. A wonderful tradition, no doubt, but what … Read more

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  How many times have you heard someone in the workplace make this declaration: “We cannot do that. It is not possible”? Sometimes this is true – a customer makes a demand that cannot possibly be satisfied within the specified time frame. Or a client asks for a service far beyond your company’s expertise. Often, … Read more

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If you were to survey 100 business and professional people, you might get 100 different explanations about why they work and what they are intending to achieve through their work. “Earning a living” would probably be the most common response. We work to earn the finances necessary to buy food, housing and clothing; to support … Read more

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Something about the human psyche prefers the path of least resistance, the easy way, the course that requires the smallest investment of blood, sweat and tears. But history teaches that “quick and simple” is rarely the avenue for achieving lasting success and significance.  In the realms of entertainment and art, we often hear about the … Read more

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In today’s hectic, even frenetic, business world, it seems everyone is running, desperately trying to get to wherever they are headed as quickly as possible. Where are you running? And even better question might be, what are you running to – and what are you running from?  Len, a friend of mine, recently gave a … Read more

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We sometimes hear people make this statement: “Life is a marathon, not a sprint.” And there’s much truth to that. Many people can look good for a short distance. In fact, in a sprint even a slower person might take the lead for a step or two. But a successful life is not measured in … Read more

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There is a tendency for many of us to live our lives out of “compartments.” We segregate our lives into independent sections that rarely intersect – our work, our home life, our hobbies and special areas of interest, such as volunteering. “Never the twain shall meet” seems to be the philosophy of keeping different facets … Read more

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We all have seen this phenomenon: Star athletes, basking in the adoration of their fans, exhibiting various kinds of disgraceful behavior. Entertainers and media celebrities acting very unlike the kind, friendly, engaging personalities they seem to be on TV or the movie screen. Politicians, so endearing during their election campaigns, displaying arrogance toward all that … Read more

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Traditionally, the first Monday of September in the United States is observed as “Labor Day.” Citizens are asked to recognize the diligent work of men and women through the generations, people who have applied their skills and talents to provide services and produce goods of benefit to many. Sadly, statistics continue to show the vast … Read more

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“If you had the opportunity to do anything you wanted to do, and money (financial compensation) was not an issue, would you still do what you are doing right now?” When a good friend asked me this question years ago, it caught me by surprise. I paused as I considered how to respond. Finally, I … Read more

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Do you remember when “customer service” was a hallmark of good business? Retailers like J.C. Penney and Sam Walton understood their customers were their greatest asset and set about determining how to serve their needs. Somehow that philosophy seems to have gotten lost in the 21st century. There was a time when sales people could … Read more

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If 100 business executives were asked what they considered the characteristics of a good leader, they probably would provide 100 very different answers. But in terms of leaving a lasting legacy, it seems a mark of the best leaders is what remains after they have departed from the scene. Strong-minded, determined and driven leaders often … Read more