In the world of education, we frequently discuss the importance of feedback to the learning process, but no one is immune to how vital feedback is in all areas of life, whether communicating with someone we love, acquiring a fresh skill, or mastering a new sport. Often that feedback is interpreted into some form of …
Category: Leadership and Culture
Leaders Who Flourish
When attempting to flourish in any capacity, it’s important to know the person God created us to be and this can be accomplished by pursuing a Habit of Awareness. Learning about ourselves and others opens our eyes to see the talents, gifts, and strengths that each person possesses along with the unique situations where various …
Generational Remix
If I requested that you provide a definition for the term “remix,” what explanation would your mind evoke? For most of us, our immediate response would be musically focused. In her book, The Remix, Pollak states, “In music, of course, a remix is a song, usually a well-known classic, that has been changed from its …
First Day Experience: College Athletics
Not only can organizations, like intercollegiate athletics, implement principles related to a Culture of Hospitality, but they are in an ideal place to utilize what author Dan Coyle defines as “threshold moments” to create an amazing First Day Experience when new student athletes arrive on campus. Previously establishing a framework for this concept, I encourage …
What's Your Word?
For readers who may not presently be engaged on any social media sites, you may be unfamiliar with the trending pop-up advertisements inquiring, “What’s Your Word?” The basic premise is that a customer can purchase a bracelet, necklace, key chain or other novelty where a special word is engraved onto a metal ring, then the …
Surprise and Delight
When was the last time you experienced the emotions of Surprise and Delight? Did you receive an unexpected gift from a friend? Were you the recipient of an act of kindness? Was there a hand-written note lying in your mailbox? Who went the extra mile to serve you in a manner that made you feel …
Walk a Mile in Someone Else’s Shoes
In an ideal world, everyone would be willing to Walk a Mile in Someone Else’s Shoes demonstrating a Habit of Awareness of Others in efforts to create a flourishing community. However, the reality is that most of us are more interested in our own perspective and having our own opinions supported than we are at …
Nothing But Crickets
Have you ever stood in front of a group of people, whether as the sage on the stage in a college classroom, as a small group leader, or as the supervisor in a business meeting and experienced that sinking feeling when you ask a question and no one says a word? That awkward silence continues, …
Hub of the Wheel
Have you ever experienced a word in your vocabulary that is taken for granted? You know its general meaning and your pencil (or keyboard) has placed the letters in the boxes of a crossword puzzle, but when the combination of individual letters are connected, or you speak the word aloud, a simple vocabulary word comes …
The Hospitable Leader
Recognizing that other people may not track with my philosophy that one should view an athletic event or a college classroom as an opportunity to demonstrate hospitality, my hope is that even those who disagree will be able to connect with the concept of a Hospitable Leader. Author Terry A. Smith invites us to ponder …
Flourishing @ Life 