Great firsts in history start with an idea and belief in the unseen. Sometimes they are witnessed. Sometimes they go unnoticed. Always they cross a threshold, opening the way for more innovation to follow. Every time I get ready to take another leap of faith in something bigger than myself, Continue reading

We seem to want change. We say we do, but it is obvious that many of us, fear DOING IT. So we talk. We complain. We give excuses. We want all risks to be removed. We want no sacrifices. We want guarantees. What can we learn from others who have CHANGED against all odds? Continue reading

Please be our guest for a very special webinar. We are commemorating International Women's Day 2011 Centenary Celebration 1911 - 2011 - WOMEN in the LEAD with Frances Hesselbein MARCH 9, a global gathering with a focus on women's leadership... Continue reading

Each time we host a ONLINE global gathering of leaders and innovators at the Global Dialogue Center, I am always moved by what happens. Putting Your STRENGTHS to Work, our inaugural 2011 Global Dialogue Center ONLINE Dialogue, was no exception. Join us next time... Continue reading

St. Valentine's Day has a story and a life behind it. Did you know? I can't believe it's been a year since I shared this story, but it moved me. Changed how I see this day. A dear friend, Bay Area Artist, Sally K. Green, shared the story with me. It gave new meaning to February 14 and I wanted to share it with you. Regardless of your faith, it serves as a reminder to us all that few things in our lives have arrived without the sacrifices of others before us. May we add to its universal symbol of friendship and affection, a heart filled with gratitude. Continue reading

In every direction, it seems we need, more than ever, to listen and learn from the wisdom of great leaders with enduring influence. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is one that always comes to my mind. He called us to a new greatness. He influenced me. Let me start with a story... Continue reading

Business management skills alone aren't enough for today's leaders. This time in history is asking much more of us. It is asking us to put more heart into our leadership. Save this date for an online global women's gathering: MARCH 9, 2011. Learn more... Continue reading

Leading by our example calls on us in ways that go beyond any work role we have day-to-day. This year, in particular, has brought with it much turmoil and strife, providing a rich number of observations and experiences to begin our own self-examination of lessons learned. Continue reading

This year, more than many, seems to be calling for inspiration, renewal, and tapping into the value of optimism we need to shape a new future for ourselves, our families, and the world around us. I share this story: Continue reading

Moments of reflection help us remain GRATEFUL for all lessons learned. One that comes to mind that helped me understand the value of the twists and turns of life was learning that the spiral is the universal symbol for change and evolution... Continue reading

Do you hear a call for you to rise to some new greatness of your own? Emmet Fox's "butterfly story" may be just the inspiration you need. It is relevant to these times of challenge, change and opportunity. Amidst the trials, tests and tragedies of our worlds, it reminds us that RENEWAL is always a personal option... Continue reading

Do you ever feel like you are different? I admit it. I do. I think I always knew that I was just not from a normal lot. I wonder if most of us feel this way for our own unique reasons. What qualities makes you uniquely DIFFERENT? Thought about it lately? Continue reading

Do you ever work so hard or have so many things on your plate that you wish you could just push the RESET BUTTON and start over??? That's where I am today. Now you might be asking, where is the INSPIRATION in this story. Well, it's coming... Continue reading

With time, the memory of September 11 seems to have become a blended set of etchings on my mind --- the surprise of its reality coming down, the experience of horrifying loss, both close and distant, the exemplary courage of many, the comforting sense of global unity wrapped up tragedy, and the resiliency of the human spirit to lift itself up again. Continue reading

One valuable lesson I learned in my first career at IBM was learning to find my own unique style as a speaker and presenter. At the time, women were scarce in leadership roles and a man's approach ... a joke, taking off their coats, loosening their ties, putting their hands in their pockets, and sitting backwards chair to look really cool ... somehow just didn't fit me. Continue reading

With so much turmoil, war, bickering, disrespect, and disregard all around us, it's sometimes hard to envision how things would be DIFFERENT if we could get along --- LOVE and RESPECT one another. Once in a while, if we stop long enough to see it, we can learn from "unexpected teachers." Perhaps, its only a moment in time --- but that one moment can become a mirror with which to see possibilities for ourselves. This was one of those times... Continue reading

There continue to be opinions are all over the place about President Obama's firing of Afghanistan commander General Stanley McChrystal last week. As a leader, it is not difficult to feel a great sense of compassion for General McChrystal; his own description demonstrating he knew that his behavior and poor judgment brought on his day of reckoning. How could we use this example to challenge ourselves to be more thoughtful in our leadership and... Continue reading

In the presence of many difficulties on many fronts, it is vital for us to remember how important it is to keep a positive vision of our future. I always remember in Viktor Frankl classic, Man's Search for Meaning, he documented how those who survived the Holocaust were people who envisioned that they had something signficant left to contribute... Learn more... Continue reading

Every once in a while, something or someone pops up on our path when we least expect it to cheer us on as we are making our important contributions to advancing business and society. Nice! ...This time, the unexpected WISDOM popped up on an app on my iPhone from the Spring and Autumn Period of China (722–481 BC) to demonstrate that DIVERSITY drives INNOVATION. Learn what he had to say + 3 ideas for tapping into WISDOM. Continue reading

One would never know by looking at them that these Alice in Wonderland-sized papier-mâché fruit carry a powerful story with them about the COURAGE to CHANGE. The story starts a very long time ago. It proves dreams do come true. Continue reading

IBM has published another outstanding Global CEO Study. Besides the elegant presentation of the results, who participated and how it was conducted gives it a special significance. CREATIVITY was noted the top leadership quality. Are CEOs, general mgrs, and senior public sector leaders ready to welcome NEW THINKING and NEW IDEAS? Learn more... Broaden your perspective... Continue reading

Optimism is a wonderful quality to have during hard times. It helps you transcend whatever happens. It ignites HOPE inside. It helps you create and hold a new VISION. Every once in a while someone comes along to help you REFRESH your perspective on it means to be positve. The little girl in the video below is an unexpected teacher, but by her example she demonstrates how to stay positive. So cute! Continue reading

Putting our differences to work has unlimited possibilities. It is at the intersection of all that distinguishes us that we find new levels of innovation, excellence, and contribution. You've been there, haven't you? Do you remember the grand experiences when collaboration really WORKED? Continue reading

One of my favorite stories comes from a remarkable leadership role model, teacher, and friend, Frances Hesselbein, founding President and CEO of the Leader to Leader Institute in New York (formerly known as the Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management). It has a meaningful leadership lesson ... Continue reading