"Some believe there is nothing one man or one woman can do against the enormous array of the world's ills -- against misery, against ignorance, or injustice and violence. Yet many of the world's great movements, of thought and action, have flowed from the work of a single man. A young monk began the Protestant reformation, a young general extended an empire from Macedonia to the borders of the earth, and a young woman reclaimed the territory of France. It was a young Italian explorer who discovered the new World, and 32 year old... Read More

In Part One of this series I challenged readers to honestly look at their current reality in several key areas of life. As promised, heres my best thinking on what to do now about any gap between where you are now and the results you want to create for yourself, your family, your organization and your community. My approach to closing the gap uses the following framework: awareness, responsibility, and communication. Awareness is the necessary beginning of any process of personal or organizational growth and for any positive change. ... Read More

One of the most powerful pieces of writing that I've ever seen is from Marianne Williamson's book A Return to Love . It was quoted by Nobel Prize–winner Nelson Mandela in his inaugural address, and perhaps you've heard it before. For many years I kept the full quote on my desk, and I referred to it often. Listen closely and consider your own life as you listen to Marianne's words. "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate; our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most... Read More

Executive coaching clients often comment that in my intense work with them to improve their attitudes, habits and behaviors, thus increasing their personal and professional results. I return consistently to promoting the practice of greater awareness, responsibility and communication. I do this because in my experience, it works. Every time. In every circumstance. In every country. You get the point, right? The following excerpt from my book Living an Extraordinary Life has generated positive feedback and I thought you might find it of... Read More

"When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bounds and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be. - Patanjali A lifetime of personally resisting instructions to take a moment and do this exercise makes me slightly nervous about the following request. Even so, I know of no more powerful personal exercise than to take a moment to ask yourself: Why am I here? What is my purpose for living? What is... Read More

Years ago while going through a personally challenging time in my life (that's meta talk for an unwanted divorce from the love of my life!), a friend and coach for leadership training in Colorado asked me if I prayed. I replied yes and he said "what's the content and context of your prayers?" I don't remember my response (don't want to remember?); but I clearly remember that his counsel was to shift my prayers to ones of gratitude, to thank God for my many gifts and for the additional gifts represented by my friends, family and colleagues. ... Read More

Many years of study and experience has refined my approach to powerfully supporting meaningful and lasting personal and leadership growth for executives. After asking the client to complete 4-6 hours of carefully constructed question in writing; I deliver a two day, high-impact one-on-one experience called The Quantum Leap. Its purpose, in addition to setting the course for a six month coaching engagement, is to assist the client in: clearing or completing his or her past of blame, shame, regret, guilt and even past success ... Read More

A quick review: Many leaders have a gap between their current realities personally and professionally and the results they want to produce for themselves, their families, organizations and communities. My approach to closing the gap involves a deeper understanding and practice of three key qualities awareness, responsibility and communication. In Part One we explored the gaps; in Part Two we looked deeply into developing an enhanced state of noticing, greater awareness. Once Ive gained new insights through greater awareness, taking... Read More

Number Two of The Eight Principles for Extraordinary Success Visualize some dominoes placed on their edges. The one closest is simply telling the truth. When toppled (when you're less than truthful), it hits the next one which negatively impacts the trust you generate from others. When trust is knocked down it hits relationships which, when diminished, negatively impacts your personal and professional effectiveness. This fluid, fast moving world we've created (yes, I know you might think you didn't create it; but find and... Read More

The World Business Academy estimates that 30% of workers report no enthusiasm for their work. My direct experience of founding and running companies like Lifespring, ARC International and Extraordinary People which includes working with over 1,300,000 people in our seminars indicates a much higher number. The 80% figure Dr. Mark Albion quotes from a Wilson Learning study is probably closer to being accurate. Why do so many people report no enthusiasm for their work? Answering this question is crucial if we want to be more effective... Read More