Let’s be honest — most people think “reasonable” is a compliment. They say things like, “Be reasonable,” or “Set achievable goals.” But if you study the history of every major breakthrough — in business, in innovation, in leadership — you’ll find that “reasonable” was never part of the story. Progress has always come from people […]

There’s a line I’ve always loved from the old comic strip Pogo: “We have met the enemy and he is us.” In business, truer words were never spoken. Most companies don’t get taken out by competition. They get taken out by themselves — by comfort, ego, and the quiet, creeping arrogance that follows success. The […]

Let’s get something straight: leadership is not a group activity. It’s not a vote, it’s not a poll, and it sure as hell isn’t a popularity contest. Somewhere along the way, we started confusing collaboration with consensus—and in doing so, we started killing the very thing that makes great companies great: decisive leadership. When a […]

Every company loves to talk about teamwork. They slap the word on posters, paint it on walls, and preach it in meetings. They say things like “We win together” and “There’s no ‘I’ in team.” But then, when it comes time to hand out bonuses, promotions, or praise—they reward individual numbers, not collective effort. And […]

Peter Drucker is credited with the line, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” And after fifty years in this business, I can tell you—he wasn’t exaggerating. You can have the best plans, the slickest PowerPoint decks, the fanciest consultants, and the most ambitious revenue targets in the world. But if your culture is toxic? Forget it. […]

When you walk into a room, what do people see? Do they see a company that belongs, or one that’s apologizing for showing up? Do they feel like they’re dealing with a player, or with someone tagging along, hoping to be noticed? I’ve been around this industry long enough to tell you one thing with […]

There’s an old military saying: a title doesn’t make you a leader — visibility does. You can have the corner office, the fancy title on the business card, and your name on the building, but none of it matters if your people rarely see you. Leadership is not paperwork. Leadership is presence. It’s showing up, […]

I’ve been around this industry long enough to hear every excuse under the sun: “We can’t grow because of the economy.” “Our competition is too cheap.” “The big guys have all the advantages.” Nonsense. Most of the time, you’re not losing to anyone else—you’re losing to yourself. That’s right. Your biggest competitor isn’t the shop […]

It’s only common sense that failure, as painful as it may be, is one of the best teachers in life. Whether you’re running a business, managing a team, or navigating your personal journey, failure offers an unparalleled opportunity to learn, grow, and emerge stronger. If you’re not failing now and then, you’re likely not trying […]