tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113622292009-03-03T01:39:20.340-08:00For those determined to become wise leaders in their organizations, families and individual lives. The BIG ideas needed to free ourselves from that's-just-the-say-it-is thinking are so accessible - when we just focus on them. Mental and emotional discipline is needed if we are to lead ourselves, our families and our companies powerfully. Think Fresh. Act Wisely.Activate Potentialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421167249508319014noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362229.post-71534614607936428872008-10-21T23:39:00.000-07:002008-10-21T23:46:16.757-07:00

Enjoy this Center for Creative Leadership piece (follow the link)---> http://www.ccl.org/leadership/pdf/research/EverydayLeadership.pdfYou might "find" yourself in one of the data summaries. Enjoy. If you want to discuss it, look me up on Twitter (@activ8potential), AIM (ActivatePotential), or email (ActivatePotential{at}Gmail.com)Bye for now.David

Activate Potentialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421167249508319014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362229.post-83245390553163163592008-10-20T17:15:00.001-07:002008-10-20T21:01:01.325-07:00

I spent several hours today cruising the web looking for people with something to say about leadership. As a scholar-practitioner I was looking to discover some kind of pattern to what is "out there" on the subject. Most of the people talking about leadership in the sites I visited fall into three categories: executives who claim success in "leading" an organization; people like me who claim to

Activate Potentialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421167249508319014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362229.post-15857604662356324132008-10-19T05:36:00.001-07:002008-10-19T05:39:04.042-07:00

It's been over a year since I published BIG Ideas. Unfortunately, EVERY ONE of your subscriber email addresses were lost to the great technology black hole. Please RE-subscribe by using the sign-up box on the homepage http://www.ActivatePotential.com. You should see it at the bottom of the front page. Welcome back and thank you. P.S. Tell your colleagues, HR/OD team, and boss, too.

Activate Potentialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421167249508319014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362229.post-10115652288565075202008-10-18T08:56:00.000-07:002008-10-18T09:10:28.204-07:00

Note: This post is not about Sarah Palin. Some of her recent expressions are merely grist for the leadership mill. My intention is that this post be about the distinction between a national politician and world leader, between parochial and inclusive, about individualism and collectivism (or communitarianism, more accurately), between a closed and an open system, about globalization and our role

Activate Potentialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421167249508319014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362229.post-44898018864115089052008-10-17T17:19:00.000-07:002008-10-18T08:50:48.744-07:00

Well, it's official; I'm a doctoral student. I just can't keep away from the universities around here, I guess. I plan to finish in 2013. I love it. It's a little tough to blend school and work, but it's no more complicated than for those of you who combine work and a vibrant family life. And to those of you who do all three - hats off!The best 7 things about doing a PhD are:1) Being a member of

Activate Potentialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421167249508319014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362229.post-68865156452204286742008-09-22T17:13:00.000-07:002008-10-18T09:08:19.519-07:00

Have you ever noticed how frequently someone answers a question that you never asked? I've noticed that when I ask someone to help me with something I have wrestled with for a while I commonly get back a bunch of recommendations about how I could proceed on my own were I to continue trying to figure it out.Recently, I asked a computer expert for help with my computer. I'm no expert in the IT area

Activate Potentialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421167249508319014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362229.post-387148230065823022008-08-12T13:56:00.000-07:002008-08-12T15:08:10.816-07:00

There is so much to enjoy about the Olympics. So much to witness - so much dreaming, competition, parity among competitors, so much drama. There is so much excitement there that I can feel it here. I've been wondering if there could be even more than meets the eye, and than is felt inside when we watch "our team" compete. It is easy to cheer on the American team if you're American, or the

Activate Potentialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421167249508319014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362229.post-20357053117973287082008-07-04T18:58:00.000-07:002008-07-04T19:04:56.023-07:00

One SongEvery war and every conflictbetween human beings has happenedbecause of some disagreement about names .It is such an unnecessary foolishness,because just beyond the arguingthere is a long table of companionshipset and waiting for us to sit down.What is praised is one, so the praise is one too,many jugs being poured into the huge basin.All religions, all this singing, one song.The

Activate Potentialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421167249508319014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362229.post-5474785421931246262008-06-20T09:51:00.000-07:002008-06-20T14:27:36.139-07:00

I had a few problems recently with my mortgage refinance. See, I began the process after the sub prime mortgage meltdown. By the time my application was begun, banks had started to look at all applicants pretty much like criminals. They required a bazillion more times the evidence of income, net worth, liabilities, and blood type than before. Jumping through hoops is not one of my favorite things

Activate Potentialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421167249508319014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362229.post-49070144232416364762008-05-30T04:55:00.000-07:002008-05-30T05:51:17.919-07:00

Last night at dinner with friends at a local Asian restaurant, a friend of a friend we'll call Susan, lamented that she wanted to change jobs but did not really know to what. She definitely felt she did not want to remain in her current sales role, but when asked what she wanted quickly replied, "I don't know." Breaking attention from mixing my Larb with the heart-shaped mound of brown rice I

Activate Potentialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421167249508319014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362229.post-37226768983592223672008-03-31T00:58:00.000-07:002008-04-01T04:50:25.955-07:00

I just returned from my first trip to the Middle East. I trained a dozen leaders in an executive development program for a telecommunications company on behalf of The Ken Blanchard Companies. Many Westerners know of Dubai because of the country's ambitious constuction programs. Three new islands, a seven-star hotel built on another new island, and more new high-rise construction than can be found

Activate Potentialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421167249508319014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362229.post-60615650966408042612008-03-09T20:33:00.000-07:002008-03-09T20:47:02.197-07:00

I was shocked when I looked at the last entry and discovered it was written on 12/07/07. While this may not offer new readers any insights (if any entries really do!), I'll share with you what's been going on in the pat three months.I have been working with some terrific executives in financial services companies - some of whom are young and looking to accelerate their progress through the mid

Activate Potentialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421167249508319014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362229.post-20864393181223223382007-12-07T11:11:00.000-08:002007-12-08T15:55:58.687-08:00

For months now I've been incubating this blog wondering how to introduce the subject of politeness and propriety without coming off as someone's nag or a reminder of your least favorite auntie. I'll press forward undaunted, though, because I think these points need to be made.No More I Thank YousLast week I hosted a party for several of my clients and friends. It was a catered doo with wine,

Activate Potentialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421167249508319014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362229.post-52331788572062391472007-11-15T22:02:00.001-08:002007-11-15T22:28:34.927-08:00

Hello everyone. It's been a while. I have been very busy with both training engagements and new clients. It's been too long and it's nice to talk with you again. The fires came through San Diego several weeks ago and turned our worlds upside down. Three people I know lost their homes. They burned to the ground. Another friend was displaced because the house he was renting burned. Personal friends

Activate Potentialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421167249508319014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362229.post-14054849127323383972007-10-17T11:06:00.000-07:002007-10-18T19:56:21.977-07:00

Communicating well is vital to success in the workplace at all levels of responsibility and influence. We need to skillfully communicate via spoken words, silence, body language and what we write in letters and emails. A skilled communicator conveys meaning and engenders trust while providing information about something important. Skilled communicators avoid platitudes and lingo because they

Activate Potentialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421167249508319014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362229.post-56588033700507355222007-10-02T06:28:00.000-07:002007-10-02T06:31:08.015-07:00

Wow! What a difficult game to lose. Last night's 9-8 loss to the Colorado Rockies in the bottom of the thirteenth inning was a heartbreaker for San Diego Padres fans. The late night highlights and morning papers are talking about Trevor Hoffman's back-to-back blown saves in two really big games. They mention Brady Clark's errors in center field on fairly routine fly balls. But, any focus on only

Activate Potentialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421167249508319014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362229.post-1894916052815115602007-09-24T04:13:00.000-07:002007-09-24T04:59:50.898-07:00

A vice-president client we'll call, Joe, recently presented to a group of peers and more senior executives. Half way through the material he lost his place. So, he stood there awkwardly for twenty seconds or so and tried to remember what he was supposed to say next. He cleared his throat, shuffled some papers and paced a few steps before he remembered and got him back on track. Joe asked me what

Activate Potentialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421167249508319014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362229.post-72762776586200873722007-09-09T11:36:00.000-07:002007-09-09T14:37:57.188-07:00

In about an hour I will sit down to watch the US Open tennis final between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. More than watching the tennis, per se, the match takes my mind to thought about learning. For me, it's a chance to witness two accomplished professionals challenge themselves and each other to perform at the tippy top of their skill range, manage their energy in the face of intense,

Activate Potentialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421167249508319014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362229.post-45429847671091506992007-07-30T13:13:00.000-07:002007-07-30T14:09:24.571-07:00

We may have witnessed a turning point in leadership at the Tour de France this week. It did not come from Tour officials. It was not instigated by the French media. It was not the result of a drug test. Rather, the leadership moment was siezed by a team captain who decided a team member's refusal to play by the team's ethics rules was enough to expel him from the team. The reason: he allegedly (

Activate Potentialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421167249508319014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362229.post-12186637308605914592007-07-06T02:24:00.000-07:002008-06-20T14:41:37.461-07:00

I started planning a summer vacation recently. Like many Americans I know, vacations are sort of stressful events, mainly because slowing down and walking away from work is hard to do. Americans are addicted to work. We equate personal power--and, dare I say, our self-esteem is tied--to work productivity. I'm no exception. While my friends in Europe take several weekly breaks throughout the year

Activate Potentialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421167249508319014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362229.post-64971734622873466682007-06-05T14:07:00.000-07:002007-06-05T14:19:49.771-07:00

The longer I live the more I realize a big part of life is about relationships. If relationships are a big part of life, they are a big part of business. We all know that. But my point today is that relationships are not just something that we have or flop into by virtue of our jobs or group associations. They are to be made, built and cultivated. How? The first step is connecting the people we

Activate Potentialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421167249508319014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362229.post-59716790700321916942007-06-03T08:23:00.000-07:002007-06-03T10:07:57.518-07:00

I'm pleased to announce that I have completed graduate school and received a Master of Science in Executive Leadership degree. MSEL for short.I felt great walking across the stage after my name was called, shaking the hand of the university president and smiling ear to ear.It is not that graduate school was all that difficult. Nor was I glad it was over. My smile and pride came from achieving an

Activate Potentialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421167249508319014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362229.post-26387232208991476392007-05-22T13:42:00.000-07:002007-05-22T13:45:02.716-07:00

Since the advent of the Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) decades ago, the connection between patient and doctor has become increasingly slight.As a kid I went to a family doctor whose office was around the corner. His office was in a single-story building with cedar shingle siding. All the machines inside stood out like 10-penny nails on a plank of pristine pine because of their bright white

Activate Potentialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421167249508319014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362229.post-34927872868872590382007-05-21T09:35:00.001-07:002007-05-21T09:38:46.319-07:00

Dear Faithful Readers,You may have wondered why there were so few postings in May. Turns out my blog software had a problem I could not fix. I no sooner got my friend and web-guru Adam Levenson of www.pixelgroove.com on it and the problem magically disappeared.So, I will resume posting and we will be in contact again. I look forward to that - and exchanging thoughts with you.~ David

Activate Potentialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421167249508319014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362229.post-14131233947065112142007-05-01T18:03:00.000-07:002007-05-02T09:18:17.419-07:00

A few weeks ago syndicated radio host Don Imus was fired for making degrading remarks about the Rutgers University women's basketball team. By almost any standard other than his own maybe, his remarks were regarded as racist. So, after a short brouhaha played out in the media, Imus was fired. MSNBC dropped his program from television and CBS fired him from their network. Not long after I asked

Activate Potentialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421167249508319014noreply@blogger.com