Lying is for kids

My son asked me something last week that stopped me cold. “Why would adults lie?” We’d been discussing someone’s behavior—the small evasions, the careful omissions, the gray-area truths. He couldn’t fathom it. Kids lie out of fear, he...

Language reveals

Notice the lexicon you inhabit. Words creep into your vernacular without cognizance – unconscious, familiar, yours. Others notice. They hear the dissonance. Teams adopt their own dialect. Families too. Communities coalesce around language. Some embrace decorum....

Quality never aplogizes

Ever notice how the exceptional never goes on sale? Hermès doesn’t discount. Patek Philippe doesn’t do Black Friday. The craftsman who builds one guitar a month doesn’t suddenly offer BOGO deals. Quality competes on quality. It stands for what it...

Connection over collection

I’ve been watching this happen for years now, and I’m guilty of it too, with the blog. We count followers like we’re keeping score. We measure engagement rates. We celebrate when the number ticks up and worry when it flatters. But here’s what...

Inspiration needs no permission

Motivation requires a push. A deadline. A carrot dangling just out of reach. Inspiration? That’s different. Here’s what I’ve learned working with individuals who’ve built remarkable companies: motivation is external fuel. It burns hot, but it...