You’re grounded

Posted on April 21, 2012 by David

George H. W. Bush (b. 1924)

No. You’re not in trouble.

While it may be a fairly common punishment for children, it’s got a different meaning for adults.

To be “well grounded” means living a life based on a solid foundation, based on reality, principled.

While neither of the shows referenced below by President Bush are reality shows, one may be a little more true to life than the other.

Is your business on a shaky foundation? Or is your business filled with the right people working in the right roles operating under core values that drive business during good and bad economic times?

Hopefully you’re not driven by $ signs. Otherwise, if you’re just in it for the money, your business may be built like a house made of straw, ready to fall at the first sign of a troubling wind.

“America needs to be a lot more like the Waltons and a lot less like the Simpsons.”
George H. W. Bush, 41st President of the United States (1989-1993)

Posted in Beginning, Foundation, Goals, Principles | 1 Comment

Somehow we win out

Posted on April 20, 2012 by David

Ronald Reagan (1911-2004)

I’ve spoken written a lot recently about goals and what we are doing to achieve them.

I’ll let the words of President Reagan relay the sentiment for today.

Be well, my friends. May you reach your goal.

“My philosophy of life is that if we make up our mind what we are going to make of our lives, then work hard toward that goal, we never lose – somehow we win out.”
Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United States (1981-1989)

Posted in Goals | Comments Off on Somehow we win out

The times they are a changing . . .

Posted on April 19, 2012 by David

James Earl Carter (1924)

If you have been on this earth long enough, you’ve seen some pretty major changes take place all around you.

Things may change. Principles shouldn’t.

Stand your ground.

“We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles.”
James Earl Carter, 39th President of the United States (1977-1981)

Posted in Change, Principles, Values | Comments Off on The times they are a changing . . .

Do not neglect your family

Posted on April 18, 2012 by David

Gerald R. Ford (1913-2006)

There is something that is almost indescribable about sitting around the table sharing a meal with your family.

For the moment, the cares of the day are set aside. The hustle and bustle of our busy lives slows down for a moment. We are reminded that one of the reasons we work hard is sitting right across the table from us.

Do work that matters.

“Tell the truth, work hard, and come to dinner on time.”
Gerald R. Ford, 38th President of the United States (1974-1977)

PS. I found it curious and fitting that the song playing as President Ford’s body was being driven to his grave in Michigan was from Antonin Dvorak’s New World Symphony titled “Going Home“. Grab a tissue and watch a performance here.

Posted in Family, Home | 2 Comments

I’m not finished, I just made a mistake

Posted on April 17, 2012 by David

Richard M. Nixon (1913-1994)

How committed are you to your vision?

Here are a few ideas that may help you as a leader with regard to your commitment:

  • Commit to the vision
  • Help communicate the vision
  • Lead by example
  • Be consistent
  • Allow for mistakes

These are not in order. If space allowed, I would put them side by side instead of putting them in a list top to bottom.

If you make a mistake early on in your attempt at reaching your goal, don’t quit. You may need to re-examine your process or your staff or yourself and make changes where it’s necessary. But don’t quit.

“A man is not finished when he is defeated. He is finished when he quits.”
Richard M. Nixon, 37th President of the United States (1969-1974)

Posted in Goals, Mistake, Values, Vision | 2 Comments