A large company hiring recent college graduates decided to choose people with attitude, rather than aptitude. The company had what they called their corporate DNA. It involved integrity, honor and servant leadership. And it only worked, for people with the right positive and honest attitude. One of their unique programs was called Teammate Dollars. If […]

If you are fortunate enough to have a job these days, you are probably working a lot more than the standard 40 hours each week. Being a workaholic seems to be fashionable in some circles; demanded in others. For most of the 20th century, American business leaders believed that a 40-hour week best served workers and […]

I started thinking about beautiful words. I wrote out phrases that I love to hear and wanted to share them with you. Then I Googled “beautiful words,” to see if anyone concurred with me. Dictionary maker Robert Beard presented his hundred most beautiful words in the English language. They included bungalow…bucolic…demure… effervescent and propinquity. Lyrical […]

I wake up before 6 a.m. on Monday. That’s my good writing time.  Brain fresh, ideas conjured up overnight ready to spill out. After a few cups of coffee, I glance at the clock and realize it’s nearly time to fix lunch. Turn my head a few times and we’re watching late night TV. Wake […]

I remember riding on the train – backwards.  It made me dizzy. My grandmother would pick me up in Brooklyn and we’d take the train to her home in Northeast Pennsylvania.  She would keep me for a couple of weeks, or a month and then take me back to my parents. I loved those visits. […]

Sharon sent this message in.  She said it is a quote. I think it is a prayer.  What do you think? It goes like this – “Today may there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born […]

When you receive a gift, you no doubt give thanks to the giver. Your appreciation might be stated verbally, or penned in a thank you card or sent through cyberspace. Or you may let everyone know you got a gift by thanking the giver on Facebook or Twitter. And that’s usually the end of the […]

Did you ever notice that there are “trigger words” that make people angry? A Wall Street Journal study shows that the word “never” generally elicits a bad reaction. Think about it. Have you heard the word “never” used in a positive way?  The word “always” also elicits a negative reaction. These words are absolutes and […]

I was thinking about the benefits of growing old. There’s wisdom and experience, and being able to take it easy. But there are also benefits you might not think of right off hand. Take kidnapping for instance. Well, kidnappers don’t seem to be very interested in old people. That’s a plus. And if you ever […]

What’s the first thing that comes to mind, when something goes wrong . . . when mistakes have been made? In leadership training, I was taught to look inward first. Others argue with me on that, but I find it to be pretty accurate. Rather than immediately seeking a target for finger-pointing, I will check […]