Deliver Results in Every Circumstance

“You can’t build a reputation on what you’re going to do.” – Henry Ford (1863 – 1947) Your reputation is critically important. You earn it — a task at a time, a job at a time, a decision at a time —  over a period of years.  The tough part is your reputation is largely if […]

The Fence That Me and Shorty Built

Here’s a trip back to the poetry corner.  If you’re discouraged about the kind of work that’s available to you currently, you might find this helpful.  Here’s cowboy poet Red Steagall: The Fence That Me and Shorty Built We’d picked up all the fencing tools And staples off the road An extra roll of “bob” […]

How to Disagree Agreeably

“A man’s got to know his limitations.” -Det. Harry Callahan – a/k/a Dirty Harry There are times in a man’s life when he cannot remain silent.  It may be on behalf of someone else, or you may have to stand up for yourself, but when the time comes, voicing your objection in the right way […]

Authenticity: To Be Rather Than To Seem

Esse Quam Videri — To Be Rather Than To Seem — State Motto of North Carolina As the father of sons born in the ’90’s here’s what I see:  If there’s one word that seems to epitomize the values of the Millennial cohort it is authenticity.  In contrast to the Generation X and Baby Boom cohorts, […]

Decide to Live a LIfe of Consequence – Part I

Happy New Year!  I hope your 2015 will be one of significant growth and progress toward becoming the man you were created to be. Around this time, many people make resolutions for the new year.  Some of these are vague — so nebulous as to be useless — such as, “I’m gonna get in shape.” […]

How To Write a Great Thank You Note

“Thank you, the phrase, ‘the greatest thing since sliced bread,’ for making me seriously wonder who’s in charge of deciding what the greatest thing is.” – Jimmy Fallon I’m sure you received a lot of nice gifts for Christmas this year.  If you want to stand out as a man — to be the best version of yourself possible — take the time […]

The Unsung Hero of Christmas

Merry Christmas! While we celebrate the incarnation of Christ Jesus, I want to ask you to consider the example of a man who was indispensable to the Christmas story — Joseph the carpenter. When we first meet Joseph in the Bible, he is defined in terms of his relationships — as the son of his […]

Little Brother Is Watching You

“Therefore I urge you to imitate me.”  – 1 Corinthians 4:16 (NIV) –Saint Paul Time for another visit to the poetry corner. The Little Chap Who Follows Me A careful man I ought to be A little fellow follows me I do not dare to go astray For fear he’ll go the self-same way. I […]