Posts by Joe Schum
Episode 66: I Went To A Stadium
I was at a ballgame the other night, and if you’ve been to a major league game lately, it’s debatable if the attraction is the game or everything else that is happening around you. I am pretty sure there is an actual game in there somewhere? What happened next inspired some learning, an “aha!” moment of sorts.
Read MoreOn Peace
Lead me from death to life,
from falsehood to truth;
Lead me from despair to hope,
from fear to trust;
Lead me from hate to love,
from war to peace;
Let peace fill our hearts, our world, our universe.
~ Satish Kumar
Frequently attributed to Mother Teresa, who encouraged her co-workers and others to use it, I share this prayer with you post election. Our divided community can and must reunite. What if you start here and take the next step to loving each other again? It would be an amazing start indeed.
Read MoreOn Resilience
“Optimism is a happiness magnet. If you stay positive, good things and good people will be drawn to you.” ~ Bishop Fulton Sheen
Seems simple and not always easy. Especially in today’s polarized world of politics, culture and technology. It’s not a rainbows and unicorns type of optimism. It’s knowing who you are and what you want now and next that acts as a framework for exuding optimism. I like to say “when you stay in the present, your future writes itself”. Optimism is a very present state.
Read MoreA New Lt. Dan Teaches Us A Few Things About Chaos
What guides you in times of chaos and crisis? How do you show up for uncertainty and ambiguity? At work and at home, with strangers and loved ones? Don’t wait and consider it until it’s “too late,” think about what you will change before that “next time” does materialize. Let’s not ignore the hippo in the room. Trust me, he’s there, and is taking up a lot of space. Let’s clean out that attic! Hippo first.
Read MoreEpisode 65: What Elk?
I think this is one of the most if not THE most important question one can ask when in a curious mode. Sure, right now some of you sage communicators are saying “WHY?” Yes, WHY? is an important and powerful question. This one is arguably better…
Read MoreEpisode 64: Say My Name
Practice is necessary and doesn’t make one perfect like the old saying goes. My latest experience with practice, something I preach to clients about constantly!
Read MoreOn Optimism
“Optimism is a happiness magnet. If you stay positive, good things and good people will be drawn to you.” ~ Bishop Fulton Sheen
Seems simple and not always easy. Especially in today’s polarized world of politics, culture and technology. It’s not a rainbows and unicorns type of optimism. It’s knowing who you are and what you want now and next that acts as a framework for exuding optimism. I like to say “when you stay in the present, your future writes itself”. Optimism is a very present state.
Read MoreBoo Radley’s Front Porch
“Boo was our neighbor…he gave us two soap dolls, a broken watch and chain, a knife, and our lives.” While watching the end to one of the 20th century’s great stories, I was captivated by a premise, a thing really, one that gets a lot of attention in today’s leadership circles – I’m talking about empathy.
“One time Atticus said, ‘You never really knew a man until you stood in his shoes and walked around in them.’ Just standing on the Radley porch was enough.”
Read MoreOn Prayer
“I used to believe that prayer changes things, but now I know that prayer changes us, and we change things.” ~ Mother Theresa
In 1982 I had the amazing good fortune to meet Mother Theresa. She passed by me, greeting those of us working that year’s graduation ceremony, on her way to speak to a room full of senior clergy and other dignitaries. She touched my hand and at the time I didn’t really know or understand who she was. When I heard her speak, I knew she was important to us, and to God. Over 40 years later I came across this quote while reading about her recently. This is the best explanation of prayer that I’ve ever seen.
Read MoreMy Kind Of Nice
I am listening to a conversation about being nice vs. being kind and realizing a powerful message: these are not the same. Being nice is about being pleasant in a situation. The first definition in Dictionary.com is pleasing; agreeable; delightful: a nice visit. Kindness however requires much more active participation and deliberation. Kindness, IMO, is…
Read MoreOn Teamwork
“I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.” ~ Mother Theresa
Teamwork, co-creation, interests in a common cause for the greater good of something and someone. When leaders can spot the talent, the different skills of others, different from each other and from themselves, greatness is available. How available are we to see each other’s differences and greatness? And ultimately, accept them, and embrace them for their differences? Greatness awaits you.
Read MoreEpisode 63: Enablement Island
New Hire alert! We leaders, hiring managers have the unenviable task of finding, evaluating and eventually hiring new talent for our respective organizations. It’s a tough job, part science, part intuition. When it’s all over and we actually come to agreement with an individual the first thing we do is…send them away…to training!
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