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I heard a voice in my head and it wasn’t mine

March 17, 2020 by David Martin 2 Comments

A respite from the many coronavirus messages you’ll read today…

My Uncle Andy was one of those larger than life characters. Everyone knew him. And as far as I could tell, pretty much everyone loved him.

I had great experiences with him while he was living. Yet, there’s something I learned from him after he died that I lean on most often.
…[Continue Reading]

Filed Under: Courage, Goals, New Thinking, Success

Kate is guaranteed a life-changing outcome if she endures this. So are you.

October 7, 2019 by David Martin Leave a Comment

There she stood, exposed like few humans ever are.
On September 16, Kate Flannery was of the 12 contestants who began Dancing with the Stars latest season. Kate, best known as Meredith from The Office, is a friend of Brenda’s and mine, so we’ve been lucky to witness her experience up close.

Kate’s previous dance experience is mostly at wedding receptions. Yet, with 8 MILLION people watching on live TV and with only a few weeks of dance lessons under her belt, she stood ready to dance a very intricate cha-cha routine on an enormous ballroom stage. 8 million self-appointed dance experts waited, ready to judge her.

To add to the pressure, three professional dance judges would evaluate her dancing while the entire audience listened in. And one of those judges is known for crushing people with extremely harsh, critical feedback.…[Continue Reading]

Filed Under: Competition, Confidence, Courage, Goals, High Performance, New Thinking, Success

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

April 16, 2019 by David Martin Leave a Comment

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 you’re building something new and different, let these universal rules-of-the-road help you stay on track and in motion.

What is a “big next”? It’s that idea, dream, or contribution that you must bring to life. It may feel impractical and difficult to achieve . . . yet, it won’t leave you alone until you begin. It’s your big next.

Here are five principles I just learned and re-learned that you can apply to bring your big next to life:…[Continue Reading]

Filed Under: Confidence, Courage, Goals, High Performance, Influence, Mastery, New Thinking, Success

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

November 14, 2018 by David Martin Leave a Comment

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 in my head that will no doubt be valuable for you, too, if you intend to make a meaningful impact in your world.

He’s a true virtuoso.
Chernow is best known for writing the book, Hamilton but every book he writes is an award winner. Chernow’s biography, Hamilton, inspired Lin Manuel-Miranda to write the earth-shaking musical of the same title.…[Continue Reading]

Filed Under: Confidence, Goals, High Performance, Mastery, New Thinking, Success

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

October 3, 2018 by David Martin Leave a Comment

Photo by Aarón Blanco Tejedor on Unsplash

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 a quick hello, he jumped right into why he wanted to talk.

“Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure. What’s up?”
“Do you think I’m losing it? I’m beginning to think I must be crazy.”…[Continue Reading]

Filed Under: Confidence, Influence, New Thinking, Resilience, Success

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

July 17, 2018 by debbieb Leave a Comment

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

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 found out he’d made the team, he cried.

You probably would have too if you’d have worked that hard — especially if one of your idols had tried to hold you in place, telling you to “respect the ranks” as you started gaining ground.

Regardless, you can steal his path to all-star status starting today. And perhaps your success will threaten some of your idols, as well.

Playing in the All-Star game was a predictable outcome.
Contreras used a method that almost every superstar or uber performer in any field, including business, has used since the beginning of humanity. …[Continue Reading]

Filed Under: Competition, Confidence, Courage, Goals, High Performance, Impact Player, Influence, Mastery, New Thinking, Success

When my cab became a classroom in leadership

March 13, 2018 by David Martin 1 Comment

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 with dreadlocks. His name is Naod.

I was strangely sad we didn’t hit more traffic because the ride and the conversation ended too quickly.

…[Continue Reading]

Filed Under: Confidence, Courage, Goals, New Thinking, Success

Seeing his world changed mine

September 21, 2017 by David Martin Leave a Comment

In November 2013, I spent 10 days in Nepal trekking in the Himalayan Mountains. There were no paved roads above 10,000 feet, which meant no motorized vehicles.

It was just silence and the unfamiliar.
Beneath the quiet sky, we ascended, descended, and ascended more, for hours each day. Around every turn was wind, sun, and endless ranges of jagged peaks shooting toward the heavens.…[Continue Reading]

Filed Under: Confidence, Courage, Goals, High Performance, Influence, Mastery, New Thinking, Success

How your double standard is failing you

September 6, 2017 by David Martin Leave a Comment

Alexander Hamilton

I love reading biographies of great people — warriors, titans, artists, athletes, crusaders for a cause.  There’s a theme that runs across them.

Not only did those people have historic impact. They’re full of foibles and flaws.

Sometimes, it’s shocking what poor judgment or bad behaviors such brilliant people could exhibit. That is, at least when they were out of the public view.

And still, they changed the world.…[Continue Reading]

Filed Under: Confidence, Goals, High Performance, Influence, Mastery, New Thinking, Success Tagged With: habits

Rethinking your sources of wisdom

August 16, 2017 by David Martin 4 Comments

I sat and listened intently as my mentor shared with me some pretty amazing wisdom. His perspective and experiences were so different than mine that I needed to stop him every few minutes and ask for clarification.

Not everything he said made sense, but parts of what he shared was exploding in my brain. I’d just never thought of things the way he was describing them.…[Continue Reading]

Filed Under: Confidence, Goals, Impact Player, Influence, New Thinking, Success, Uncategorized

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Free the Genius

Free the Genius by David MartinMy new book released and is an Amazon #1 international bestseller! It’s called Free the Genius: How the Very Best Grow Their Meaning, Mission, and Contribution. Read more here.

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 I still hear about my work with David Martin, some five years ago. People at my company will say things like, ‘She made huge strides when she worked with David’ or ‘You should have seen how much positive change she accomplished during that time.’ All good things! 

Beth Himes
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 David has become one of my most trusted business advisors. I initially looked to him for guidance in stepping-up my individual performance and leadership but our relationship quickly evolved to where I seek David’s problem-solving skills for the key strategic issues and challenges facing my business. David’s clear thinking helps me sort through the ambiguities that seem to be ever present in today’s tough business climate. 

Erik G. Birkerts
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Gracia Walker
Director, Business Development, Yum Yum NYC, LLC

 David sets very high standards of performance for himself and his clients. He has a very engaging style, listens acutely and devises action steps that are built around current business needs. It’s the results that matter. During the time David spent with me and my team, my region earned the honor of ‘Most Improved’ in our first year, a top third ranking in our second year, and a National Performance Award as the fifth region in the nation in our final year! 

Jeff Holland
Regional Vice President, GlaxoSmithKline

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John A. Schauss
CFO, Media General, Inc.

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Head of Decision Sciences, Vertex Business Services

 My time with David was head and shoulders above any coaching experience that I’ve ever had. He developed a deep understanding of my style and situation and provided concrete practices for me to work on that improved my game substantially. 

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Managing Partner, 2nd Order Solutions
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