A few years ago, I witnessed a dear friend (let’s call him Todd) living through the most difficult experience of his life. Over many months, his situation got… Read More

5 rules to prevent your “big next” from becoming a big mess.

The recent launch of my new book, Free the Genius, was a tutorial for me in how to stretch beyond old limits to my own “big next.” If… Read More

My friend built a secret weapon to save the world. You could, too.

I know a man who’s foolish enough to believe that maybe he could save the world. Or at least his corner of it. After watching him work, I… Read More

This virtuoso gave a better answer than my question warranted. So worth it!

I had the chance to have a brief conversation with celebrated, Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Ron Chernow, recently. While we spoke, he made a comment that rang a bell… Read More

If a client tells you they’re going crazy, should you call 911?

Mel asked me to meet him for a drink at an out-of-the-way dive bar. He wanted to talk away from the office where people wouldn’t overhear us. After… Read More

Photo by Aarón Blanco Tejedor on Unsplash

An essential skill to freak out a bartender or lead a revolution.

On Sunday morning, I had a seemingly ordinary brunch in New York City. I didn’t think I was doing anything strange until I realized I was freaking out… Read More

Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash

He imitated his way to the top. And so can you.

Willson Contreras, the 26-year-old catcher for the Chicago Cubs will play in his first All-Star game tonight. That’s one of the biggest honors in his profession. When he… Read More

By Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA (Willson Contreras, Jake Arrieta) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

What I learned from an illiterate kid – Lesson 2

José couldn’t read, write, or do math when he was 12. Last weekend, he graduated from Xavier University ready to change the world. And he will. After all,… Read More

I had a front row seat to a miracle

What do you have in common with a junior high flunkee? At 12, Jose was failing in school. He couldn’t read, write, or do math. Not just sort… Read More

When my cab became a classroom in leadership

Teachers appear when you need them. Rarely do they take on the form you were expecting. My cab driver to BWI airport turned out to be a Yoda… Read More