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Walking the Valley
Between every mountain lies a valley. Some are wide and smooth, others narrow, rocky, and rough yet all must be traversed. Most of us have…
Your Identity Drives Your Behavior
Who are you? How do you define yourself? How would you describe yourself? Do you like your answers? The words you choose, the associated mental…
The Belief That Sets the Course of Your Life
Self Belief: I am enough, I can do it, I have (or can find) what it takes. Where there is a will, there is a…
To Keep Love Fresh, Treat Your Lover Like a Guest
How to keep your love from going stale? How to keep your important relationships fresh and alive? Ever renewing and growing? One of the greatest…
Omotenashi: The spirit of selfless hospitality
Omotenashi’s original meaning referred to hosting guests “wholeheartedly” but it has taken on an even deeper meaning than to merely offering outstanding hospitality. Omotenashi is…
We are Co-creators of Our Reality
I was recently in South Africa and privileged to hear Zelda la Grange, Nelson Mandela’s personal assistant for 19 years, speak. In her book Good…
The Rule of Reciprocity
Some truths, some principles, are so universal across time and cultures that reflecting upon them reminds us of humanity’s essential unity. When we focus…
Questions for the Chair
1.What differentiates The Collier Companies from the competition? Entrepreneurial Passion Commitment to Principled Profit, Social Contract, and Main Street Values 2. What qualities make an outstanding…
“Talk less, Do more”
The following is a condensed, edited version of “Where the Fish Swims, Ideas Fly.” by Paul Bennett, NYT, February 16, 2014 “Until a year ago,…
A Day of Thanks, Moments of Perspective
“The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving.”…
The Wisdom of Doubt
Beware of unquestioned certainty; avoid the counsel of the man with no doubts. Illustration: DNA evidence is infallible, right? The unquestioned Gold Standard of Proof?…
Active Listening: Listening to Understand
Most of what we call listening is really “waiting to speak.” Here is how people “hear” us: You say something, sounds are heard by another…
The Incessant Maintenance of the Highest Standards, Relentless Insistence on Effort and Attention to Details”
On May 4th, 2013, the Chicago Bulls won Game 7 over the Brooklyn Nets in the 1st round of the NBA playoffs. With 3 starters…
Four-Way Test
Recently The Collier Companies’ Senior Team reviewed the final draft of TCC’s Team Member Policy Manual, which contains standards of conduct to which we hold…
Skip the Complaining, Go Straight to the Explaining
Even the best intended (or most needed) constructive criticism is often not accepted constructively. Most of us could benefit from being more “coachable” and we…
Faith-Based Spending
“Faith-based spending” is when you spend your money without really knowing if you are getting any benefit from it. In a business it is when…
The Fallacy of Reductio ad Absurdum
Reductio ad absurdum is Latin for “reduction to absurdity” and refers to a common form of argument whereby something logical is carried to a ridiculous…
Be the Orange
When you squeeze an orange you don’t get lemon juice. Even under stress, the orange stays true to its essential self. It is during trying…
The Awesome Power of Deep Trust
Flying Trapeze Artist: Ever want to be one? A friend of mine went for an afternoon “experience” lesson for novices. Each participant was given detailed…
Just Because You Meet a Jerk, Don’t Become a Jerk: Avoiding Petty Revenge; Turning the Other Cheek
“I’m a sales associate…When you are rude to me, I look for ways to overcharge you!” Life comes with its trials and tribulations, and sometimes…
Warm Woolen Socks: Saving the Environment, One Thermostat Setting At a Time
Want to stop global warming? Reduce carbon emissions in the atmosphere? Slow the depletion of scarce natural resources? Save money too? EASY! Turn down your…
Next Play
The concept of “next play” is borrowed from Coach K (Mike Krzyzewski) of the Duke Blue Devils. Whenever a play is over, good or bad,…
A Day of Thanks, Moments of Perspective
“The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving.” …
In Praise of Epistemological Modesty
“The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts.” —…
You Can’t Make Money by Going Broke—if it ain’t accretive to earnings, why do it?
It may sound silly but it is true and we all know it: You can’t make money by going broke. Yet what we say we…
Beware the Law of Unintended Consequences
This excerpt from “Waiting,” an autobiography by a waitress, illustrates how bonus compensation systems can create perverse incentives: In this restaurant (part of a chain),…