Perspectives on Leadership for the 21st Century: Recent Episodes
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Today I turned 60 plus one day. Honestly I have been looking forward to this day for ten years. Now, that I have made it I am looking forward to 70+ 1. Why? I don’t dread living and feel it is great time to look at what I have yet to learn about: myself, the […]
“Lesson one, The world owes you nothing!” “Lesson two, The country owes you nothing!” “Lesson three, What do you owe yourself? A Great Life!” The little girl looked up at her grandparents. Into their eyes she searched for more, but their eyes kept repeating the same messages, over and over. Those three lessons would continue […]
Handwritten note to Bill, December 24, 2010 Bill it was great working with you and we truly appreciated all the fantastic work you did for the organization. Best of luck in your new endeavors that you are pursuing. Thanks, CEO and Chair Company wide newsletter January 2, 2011 Back page, bottom of column three We […]
December, 2010 I feel awful. No one wants to meet with me and no one is returning my phone calls. Perhaps Nancy’s message had been shared with others and talking with me may place them in harms way? Just thinking too myself; it is an old and invaluable habit. Boy I could use some Key Lime […]
Caller: Sir, I sent in my resume and app two weeks ago and then had a phone interview last Thursday. But, even though I was told someone would call me on Monday, I thought it was best, since today is Friday, to call back and find out what was your decision? HR: Uh, well I […]
Bill is writing an email on the Monday following a national holiday weekend. It is a memo to his “peers” on the alley. September, 2010 To: The Executive Team From : Bill, CHO Subject: A few observations and a cautionary tale I was working late last Friday night , as my family took a trip […]
A letter between a business executive (Bill) and an old friend of his from high school days (Jerry.) Bill is opening a chapter of his life, unfamiliar to his friend Jerry. August, 2010 Jerry, It has been too long since we last connected and had a chance to share a few personal thoughts about life. […]
Our American work ethic has normally been confined to thoughts about the Protestant work ethic. Specifically, it suggests that hard work is the key to success. Yes, work is a key to some forms of success, especially working hard to get what you are after. It is particularly true when you are in control of […]
Unlike the Boomers, who represent the last economic vestiges of World War II, Salam's America post 2020 or so, will move quickly, where the slow to change will feel left behind in a digital dust storm. If and when the dust settles, the digital refugees will live like orphans in a place where there are no parents to care for them. In fact, no one will care about them! If you have grown up sheltered from life and unwilling to engage it, you are screwed! We are not talking about Darwinism at play with lives, but about something more powerful, exacting and unforgiving.
America needs to decide if it wants to retire or rejuvenate itself? I vote for rejuvenation. But, only the youth and the young at heart and mind will succeed in making that happen in one generation. The retiring crowd must organize itself to support a continually reenergizing America, or regress to support becalming America while seeking a land where the past is more relevant than the future. Look around to see who is tired of working and living for today and tomorrow; plus, who are disengaged from imagining the future and helping build it. This is the first of several entries to discuss tomorrow: the future created before we Baby-boomers fade away.
The concept of Common Sense in the 21st century is a tool for parading people away from independent thinking, critical thought and taking responsibility for their own decisions. It is not to be confused with doctrines of religious beliefs. Instead, it is a voluntary reaction to having group expectations imposed on an individual's way of thinking. It feeds minds which live well on ignorance and The FEARS.
In Linchpin a careful and methodical reader can find thoughts worth rereading over the course of years.
The American Transition Recession began at the beginning of the 21st Century. Two very important questions must be asked: Are our next generation of leaders prepared to not only confront the economic and social traumas evolving as they grow up? And, are they studying to know how to think wisely, critically, and unselfishly? As a […]