051: We the people
In this episode of the Spirit of Leading podcast, I comment on what I believe are the three most important words of the U.S. Constitution. They form the premise of why we have the constitution. Our elected leaders, uniformed military, and naturalized...
050: I’m a ProgressiCon
I am among the majority of Americans who are becoming increasingly more unsettled over the negative tone of political discourse. According to a Pew Research Center report (link below), 61% of Americans say respectful discourse is very important, but only...
049: A House of Possibilities speech to NextGen Under 30 Oklahoma class of 2018
The NextGen Under 30 Oklahoma movement continues to gather momentum across the state. The eighth class gathered for a Day at the Capitol October 1, 2018. NextGen Under 30 founder, Don Swift, told the class that they were selected as the best of the best...
047: Can there be spirituality in the workplace?
Do spirituality and the workplace mix? The disengaged workers I've encountered say they want to work in a place where they feel like they can give heart and soul, and managers say they want their employees to give heart and soul at work. So why isn't it...
017: When no one is listening
Communication skills continually rank at the top of leadership competencies. When they are absent, it can be a glaring omission. I recently experienced such a situation in which a person in authority demonstrated a total lack of listening skills, and that...
015: My favorite heretic
Heretics are non-conformists. They are outside-the-box thinkers who rub authorities and protectors of the status quo the wrong way. And we need them. In this episode of The Spirit of Leading I talk about some of the world's better known heretics and the...
014: Are leaders born or made?
What exactly is . . . a born leader? In this episode of The Spirit of Leading podcast, I explore the question, "Are leaders born or made?" Is leadership something learned, something innate with which you are born, or some combination of both? How does one...
012: Why motivation is not what you think
Many people talk about what motivates them, but no one explains what motivation actually is. In this episode of the Spirit of Leading, I delve into the dynamics of motivation to understand how it works, and why. Some of the issues I discuss include:...
011: The power of your brand
A picture is worth a thousand words. What’s the picture, or image, that others have of you? What do people say about you when you are not in their presence? In this episode of The Spirit of Leading I discuss the power of images, and why symbols are more...
010: Listening to lead—getting past belief systems
We stop being able to listen when we let our belief systems filter out all other voices. In this podcast of The Spirit of Leading, I discuss why belief systems can be barriers to listening. Belief systems are filters through which we decide right and...
009: What are your sources of power?
The philosopher Plato said, “The measure of a man is what he does with power.” The legendary motivational speaker Zig Ziglar said, “Men of genius are admired, men of wealth are envied, men of power are feared, but only men of character are trusted." Trust...
007: What is an INPowering workplace?
Workplace leaders say they want contributors and employees who will give heart and soul on the job, and workers say they want to give heart and soul on the job. Then when we read surveys from organizations such as Gallup that say 70% of the workers in our...