The Blog

“Navigating Power Dynamics: The Art of Avoiding Powerful People Without Burning Bridges”

In both personal and professional spheres, encounters with powerful individuals can be both daunting and potentially beneficial. However, knowing when and how to navigate these interactions is crucial. While it may seem counterintuitive to avoid influential figures, sometimes it’s necessary to maintain autonomy, integrity, and personal boundaries. Here’s a closer look at why and how…
If It’s Important – They Will Call Back

Imagine the last time you finished a conversation, completed an important work project, or listened to a podcast without interruption from your cell phone. Imagine the last time you really gave someone your undivided attention and looked them in the eye. Difficult isn’t it? Why is the person on the phone through call or text…
Buy Once – Cry Once

I often watch a man on YouTube that creates excellent videos about construction, building, creating, and life. His channel is called The Essential Craftsman. You should give him a look. Whenever reviewing a piece of equipment or a tool, he always says, “buy once – cry once.” This is his way of saying, although it…
Are You Worth Training

Unless you are retired or have a lifetime appointment you are preparing for your next interview. As educators, we always want to help people improve their skills. Rarely does a particular school or degree completely prepare a candidate for a particular position. Doctors, lawyers, engineers, HVAC technicians, welders, etc. are specifically trained. Even with a…
A Legacy

For centuries people have worried about leaving a legacy. Especially Kings. For some a legacy is raising decent children who can pass on the family name. For others it is leaving a body of work or buildings with their name on them that will stand for some time. Some want to make as much money as possible. Most…
Rules Of The Game

Every day we play a game. Who gets the money, resources, affection, job, or attention? Who has influence? Who does the boss listen to when it’s important? Do we answer the phone when it rings or continue talking to the person in front of us? Usually, rules are agreed to before the game begins. Rules revolve…
If It’s Important – They Will Call Back

Imagine the last time you finished a conversation, completed an important work project, or listened to a podcast without interruption from your cell phone. Imagine the last time you really gave someone your undivided attention and looked them in the eye. Difficult isn’t it? Why is the person on the phone through call or text…
Are Your Seats Adjustable

Do me a favor. Next time you drive your car move the seat as far back as possible and drive home. I bet you won’t like it. I’m certain you won’t be comfortable. In the early days of automobile manufacturing, seats were affixed permanently in the car. If you were fairly tall or fairly short,…
Don’t Be Sorry – Be Better

My oldest son, who was in the Air Force, once told someone . . . don’t be sorry – be better. I like that phrase. I asked him where he got it and he said it is pretty common in the military. I can see that. I can see how being sorry for a mistake, attitude, or deficiency…
The Chicken Biscuit

In 1987, I entered a small military college in South Carolina called The Citadel. The school is based on a tradition called the fourth-class system which is designed to mold a leader through hardship and training. One of the first things we learned in the fourth-class system was the fact that excuses would not be…