“If you don’t see the book you want on the shelves, write it.” – Beverly Cleary It’s easy for any of us to get stuck in a rut. We’d prefer to call it a routine, but it can become essentially the same thing. We do so many things automatically, almost without thinking, things we’ve done … Read more
“Be a light, not a judge. Be a model, not a critic. Be part of the solution, not the problem.” – Stephen Covey It’s easy, especially in chaotic times like ours, to have a sour attitude about things. Most people are tired, or stressed, or tired and stressed, and everything in life looks worse when … Read more
“People learn something every day, and a lot of times it’s that what they learned the day before was wrong.” – Bill Vaughan Last week in this space the idea was about paying attention so we don’t miss opportunities for growth, whether that growth be for our business or for us personally. I’m still thinking … Read more
“If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?” – John Wooden Almost everyone I meet talks about how little time they have. They have a laundry list of things to do, and not enough time to get them all done. It feels like we’re all … Read more
“I thank you in advance for the great round of applause I’m about to get.” – Bo Diddley Over the past 12 months we’ve been very rudely reminded that there are a lot of things in the world that affect our businesses that we have no control over. There is constant pressure from outside forces … Read more
“If you can do what you do best and be happy, you’re further along in life than most people.” – Leonardo DiCaprio Sometimes when I talk to leaders, I get the impression that things like “happiness” and “purpose” and “unique abilities” are not part of their vocabulary. It’s as though doing your job as leader … Read more
“Failure is more frequently from want of energy than want of capital.” – Daniel Webster Energy, or lack thereof, has been an issue for leaders for as long as leaders have existed. I’m sure that, thousands of years ago, the head cave man was tired and run down and felt overwhelmed with all the responsibilities … Read more
“Not being able to do everything is no excuse for not doing everything you can.” – Ashleigh Brilliant No one in a leadership role ever says, “I really hope we can work hard to make this organization mediocre.” No one. We’re taught from an early age that we should want to be great, that we … Read more
“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” – Stephen R. Covey When people talk about the qualities of great leaders, they might often talk about intelligence, passion, charisma, or any number of things. One quality that isn’t mentioned very often is that of being a … Read more
“When you succeed, don’t forget the responsibility of making someone else succeed with you.” – Antonia Novello Almost without exception, the opportunities we have in our careers come because of or through other people. Most doors that open are opened by someone other than ourselves. Yes, we still have to work hard, etc., but I … Read more
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© 2017 Cain Ellsworth & Company, LLP
