“The illiterate of the 21st Century are not those who cannot read and write but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.” Alvin Toffler said that in his book Powershift…in 1991. I believe it is still true today. But how many people intentionally improve their learning skills? In today’s fast-changing environment, there’s really no choice—to…
Growth is good. Being able to grow in multiple areas of your life is exceptional. Getting better in all four areas of the Potential Matrix—performing, learning, thinking, and reflecting—is a powerful strategy for overall improvement. But you don’t maximize one area unless you’re advancing in the others as well. Combined, all four create a powerful…
In my new book, The Potential Principle, I lay out a map that will help you reach your potential. I call it the Potential Matrix. This grid identifies four aspects of life that are crucial to your journey toward improvement: the performing quadrant, the learning quadrant, the thinking quadrant, and the reflecting quadrant. Each represents…
There are many good reasons to keep improving in life, striving to be the best you can be. In my new book, The Potential Principle, I explain why—especially in today’s fast-paced world—it’s vital to keep growing personally and professionally. I also discuss some important things to consider as you choose the areas you want to…
We all have dreams. You may be just starting your career, stepping into your first real job. You may have just been promoted again, proving you’re really good at what you do. Or you may be the best of the best in your field. You may even have received a “World’s Greatest Dad” or “My…
I was in the gym yesterday. A guy roughly my age was “working out.” Except he wasn’t. I thought it was a hidden camera show. What he did was so nonsensical, so wrong and so unhelpful as to be laughable if it weren’t for the fact he thought he was exercising. My writing skills aren’t…
The responsibility of good leadership always outweighs the accolades. Those you lead think of themselves less as followers and more as team players or contributors. Leaders don’t confuse “simple” with “easy.” Something simple to understand can be difficult to do. If you are sincere, you can’t over-appreciate those you lead. Team members want the opportunity…
I’ve written, spoken and advised about great customer service for years. Not too long ago I had an epiphany: I was emphasizing the wrong thing. Don’t misunderstand. Customer service is important. But it is a tool, not the structure you are trying to build. It is a means to a more important end. What really…
An optimist believes the glass is half full. The pessimist believes the glass is half empty. But there is a different, and better, way to think about the glass. The half-full or hall-empty assessment misses an important nuance: There is still room for more. Many settle for half empty or half full situations in life. How you…
I started my career in sales and marketing. Starting my own business required me to increase my sales skills, and in the intervening years I’ve spoken to many sales organization. Sales isn’t easy, but neither is it complicated. Here are ten ways to kick start your selling. 1. Make more calls. Getting in front of more…