People Are Power

I’m a big fan of people. I’m one who believes there’s always room for one more, and although I like the tech toys my engineer brethren have given us, I’m not one to believe in the tech over people. People get the work done, not tech. I know, all us engineer geeks are supposed to […]

Shh…Working on a Secret Project

I know I haven’t been updating this blog much, but I’ve been working on a Secret Project in my Inner Sanctum.  When I’ve completed the project I will finally rule the Tri-State Area! Well…not exactly.  But I have been working hard on my next book, Code Name: Talk Story Lanai.  I’ll roll it out in […]

I Really Don’t Like Meetings

I know, I know, sometimes meetings are necessary, but in my experience very little actual work gets done in most meetings. Yes, of course, senior leaders still need to be informed, so the “status/update brief” is a necessary component of running most large organizations. Yes, sometimes we need to have a meeting to set the […]

Want to Win? Find the Right Team Captain

Team Captain: the very words conjure up a picture in our minds of a leader.  In most sports, the Team Captain is voted on by the entire team.  The Captains are usually the most popular players because they are the most skilled, or the most inspirational, or perhaps the most humble or virtuous.  In some […]

What’s Your Passion?

I saw this art club at Makapu’u Lookout this morning during my usual Saturday morning bike ride.  Cycling is one of my passions, and for these artists, painting was theirs. I think having a balanced life is important for well being, especially for a leader.  For a leader to be able to relate to others, […]

The 5 Best Christmas Gifts for Your Co-Workers

Navigating the holiday season(s) can be daunting for the boss.  Be too generous and you can make your team feel compelled to reciprocate; be too stingy and they’ll think you’re a Grinch.  With that in mind, here’s five suggestions for the “gift challenged” this Christmas/Holiday season for the boss to his/her team. 1.  Take Them […]

Be A Good Follower

Following is just as important as leading. To be a good follower means more than merely doing what your boss tells you but trying to see the bigger picture and understand where the boss is going. I maintain that you’ve got to learn how to follow before you can learn how to lead. So how […]

Eric’s Truck

In keeping with the theme of “service” this Veterans’ Day week, I’d like to share a story about what some Air Force firefighters did for a young boy recently. That’s when firefighters with the 673rd Civil Engineer Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson stepped up and created Engine No. 7, a brother to the department’s six […]

What’s My Purpose?

When reaching the end of their careers, military veterans are often faced with difficult questions.  There are, of course, the practical considerations of finances and family, but the biggest question for the vet is not where he’ll live or how he’ll make his living.  The biggest question for the retiring vet is what’s my purpose? […]