Peg Gillard is a friend of mine. She is a mom in Vermont, as well as an assistant principal at a middle school. Peg reads books and rides a Harley. She appreciates the difference between “principal” and “principle,” and is passionate about ideas, joyful truth, and deep leadership. Each summer, while I spend some time at New Camaldoli Hermitage & Monastery, Peg sets out on her Harley. We were intrigued by what each of us experienced, and we decided to... Read more
Leadership is an adventure. We think of an adventure as an experience that tests us, pushes us beyond our own limitations. It is an adventure because it is challenging; we do not know the outcome. We are drawn to it. We are people who act in the world, trying to do good and trying to be fair, seeking adventure. It brings out the best in us. We feel sorry for the people who stay behind. What others may see as risky or foolish,... Read more
I am fairly adept at social networking. I have friends on Facebook, and followers on Twitter. I have boards on Pinterest, and am even on Google+. I have a blog. I even have all those apps on my iPhone and iPad. The social network I do not understand is LinkedIn. I think I get the basic concept. LinkedIn is essentially an electronic bulletin board that gives people opportunities to make professional connections. I have heard a lot of inspiring success... Read more
I have watched professional football for longer than I can remember, for my whole life. I was born and raised by people who took professional football seriously. If our team were playing an East Coast team on a Sunday and the sermon went a little long, people would leave church to be home in time for the kickoff. As a midwesterner, I appreciate the value of grinding out four yards on the ground each down for an entire game, and I... Read more
My friend Bob Holmes is many things. He is a Contemplative. Professional writer, mentor, music man, photographer. Son, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Mountain Man, Surfer, Lover of Jesus. His blog is The Mountain Morning Cafe. There is a deep sense of peace and joy about Bob, and an infectious sense of enthusiastic humor. Bob, and people like him, reinforce my experience that contemplation is not nearly as boring as so many people apparently think it must be. As you can see... Read more
Leadership adapts to seasonal changes. I am not saying that leadership has no direction. Effective leadership is rooted in a leader’s core values. Effective leaders know who they are and lead from their true selves. They recognize their own core values and vision, and appreciate how they fit with the values and vision of the the organizations in which they lead. They translate core values and vision into tangible goals and objectives that help them lead others where they intend... Read more
The 2012 Craft Brewery Pilgrimage heads back to Los Angeles County this month as the days grow shorter and summer again slips into autumn. We journey to Monkish Brewing in Torrance on Saturday, September 29. Each month we explore the rapidly growing craft brewing community in southern California. Great conversation, authentic locations, excellent craft brews, and inspiring time with the people who make craft brewing happen. I learn a valuable lesson about leadership and pilgrimage at each month’s visit. Recent... Read more
I think a lot about revelry. I was reflecting as I took a walk the other day about what we really celebrate in our culture. As I walked, I thought about what it really means to celebrate. We have holidays that we do not really celebrate. We take time away from work, we spend extra money, we even eat special food. Those experiences can often ring false to me. When was the last time you experienced true revelry? When was the... Read more
The world is primal. We work hard to make ourselves comfortable with technology and possessions. We accomplish amazing achievements. The world remains primal and elemental despite all our efforts. Light and dark. Heat and cold. Earth, wind, and water. Fire and ice. Love and hatred. Joy and pain. Life and death. We shield ourselves from the world with preparation and planning, design and fashion, communication and transportation. We convince ourselves that we can control and master our circumstances. We surround ourselves... Read more
Leaders recognize that it is the picture that is important, not the lines. Leaders learn that being immaculate and staying inside the lines can get them into more trouble than being too flexible. Sometimes leadership is mixing colors to make something new. Sometimes leaders make a mess, then find their way out of it. Sometimes leading is using color in new ways just to see what you can find with a new approach. Finding the colors you want in your... Read more
Strategic Monk
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