In most cases, continuing a relationship is easy. In fact, mentoring can, and often does, become a lifelong endeavor. Occasionally, however, there is an exception that tests one’s loyalty and allegiance. In my life, the exception was the one who did more than anyone else to launch my rise to the top. As the early…
Category: Inspiration
Also Priceless: Supportive Friends!
No one ever makes it to the top without the support of friends, relatives, and/or mentors. Those who played supportive roles must not be forgotten in the ride to the top. As the years passed and my career expanded, I often paused to reflect on roles that others played in whatever success I had. One…
A Supportive Family: Priceless!
Few people make it to the top of their professions without a supportive family. Certainly, that has been the case in my life. The reason this is so important is that trials and tribulations accompany life in a fishbowl. Stated simply, life is often lonely at the top, and a supportive family can provide the…
Thank you, Dave!
With my father’s encouragement and my mother’s doubts, I started at age nine delivering the Chattanooga Times and the Knoxville News-Sentinel to a modest number of subscribers scattered throughout my hometown. Each morning, I would leave home before daybreak and ride my bicycle across town to pick up newspapers at the bus station and deliver…
Life is an Adventure
Life is a source of many mysteries, perhaps none more puzzling than why some people make it to the top of their professions while others, who appear to have all the right stuff, try but stumble and fail along the way. This mystery intrigued me more and more as the years of my life passed…
Zadrian’s Commentary, Part 3
Fifteen-year-old granddaughter Zadrian, was recently inspired to connect each lesson (ie chapter) in my book to a Bible verse. With her permission, I share the last 16 her 32 observations. Enjoy! See Part 1 here See Part 2 here —————————————————————————————————————– Lesson 17: Know When to Speak and When to Be Silent Knowing when to speak…
How Ignorance of History Undermines Critical Thinking
Six years ago this week, I retired and came home after 10 years in Washington. Behind me are 52 years of public service in three professions. The retirement years have removed me from the daily pressures of decision making in public arenas. My “fast track” today is family. At the same time, there is now…
Zadrian’s Commentary, Part 2
Fifteen-year-old granddaughter Zadrian, was recently inspired to connect each lesson (ie chapter) in my book to a Bible verse. With her permission, I share the next 8 her 32 observations. Enjoy! ——————————————————— Lesson 9: Communicate, Communicate, Communicate What makes a successful leader is communication and timing. There is always a time to make a certain…