What Could We Learn from the Author of Winnie the Pooh?

“The third-rate mind is only happy when it is thinking with the majority. The second-rate mind is only happy when it is thinking with the minority. The first-rate mind is only happy when it is thinking.” — Alan A. Milne

In a world of political correctness, we dare not say anything that the majority will not say. From birth, we are taught to keep the peace and fit in or otherwise face our greatest

What I Learned from Lao Tze About Destiny

What I Learned from Lao Tze about Destiny

“Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.”  ~ Lao-Tze

For more than 2,000 years, the wisest people have taught us that our thoughts create things. Those things become our reality. Our reality becomes our everyday destiny. On one hand, it is true we are taught to believe in

3 Things Very Successful People Do Really Well

While there are many ways to master your craft, there are three methods that are common to all successful people.

They Take Risks – Those who master anything understand that life is like riding a bicycle. Most people can get on a bike and ride. However, the stunts you have to perform to compete in the X Games would be too risky for the majority of people. Every stunt has the possibility of injury. Yet, the competitors in the X Games make it look simple and elegant. The winner is usually the person who successfully completes the most difficult moves. 

In life, if you stay on the

Muhammad Ali's Quote Teaches About Our Own Greatness

I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was. – Muhammad Ali

Most people need proof before they can make bold declarations like Muhammad Ali did. He had no proof he was the greatest. Yet, he stood for it as a possibility. That declaration shaped the way he

Did You Choose to Live the Life You Live?

"I am looking for a lot of men who have an infinite capacity to not know what can't be done."  Henry Ford

At the age of 15, Henry Ford dropped out of school to help on his father’s farm. While he had very little education, he was curious and he educated himself on the functions of machines. Eventually his tinkering with watches and other machines earned him

Do You Agree with Deming's Quote on Discovering New Things?

"If you do not know how to ask the right question, you discover nothing." - W. Edwards Deming

In the US, from childhood, we are rewarded for giving the right answer. Giving the right answer has become synonymous with high intelligence. Those who prefer to ask questions may be seen as

Why It’s Important To Be Able To Say 'No' To the Boss

If you were the boss in a perfect world, everything you want done would be completed on time. In an imperfect world with only 24 hours and never-ending demands of clients, employees, legislators, bosses, etc., something will slip through the crack or be delayed. While it seems clear communication should fix it, it doesn’t. It’s straight communication without consequences that creates order out of chaos. 

In many organizations, unexpected delays come as no surprise. The culture of communication between the boss and subordinates is set up to