Miscellaneous is an overarching term. There are many things that don’t fit neatly into one category or that have a special unique resonance. I’ve used this space to highlight these issues.
Presidents’ Day is more than a long weekend or a retail event. At its core, it is a moment to reflect on leadership at its highest stakes. It is a day to ask…
This is the latest installment of my series of fictional interviews with historical leaders. This time, Catherine The Great. Introduction – Who was Catherine The Great? Catherine II, known as Catherine the Great,…
Our Past: A Culture of Courage I did not grow up in a culture of fear. In fact, I would argue that the America I grew up in was defined by courage. My…
Introduction: Why Augustus Caesar Matters Augustus Caesar (63 BC – 14 AD) remains one of the most influential leaders in history—not because he was the most charismatic or the most feared, but because…
Introduction: The Last Tudor Standing Few leaders in history have carried the weight of expectation—and the sting of doubt—quite like Queen Elizabeth I. Born into chaos, dismissed as illegitimate, imprisoned by her own…
Here is the next installment of my fictional interviews with important historical figures. This time it is Confucius. “When we see men of worth, we should think of equaling them; when we see…
Introduction – Interview with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Here is another in my series of fictional interviews with historical figures. This time, it is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) It feels fitting…
Introduction: The New Reality of Parenting Childhood today looks very different than it did a generation or two ago. Between participation trophies, endless youth leagues, and social media highlight reels, kids are feeling…
My fictitious leadership interview with Ashoka the Great: Background He is one of the most fascinating figures from ancient India’s past. His empire encompassed a vast portion of the Indian subcontinent, and he…
Another installment in my series of fictional interviews with historical leadership figures. This time it is Winston Churchill. “To each, there comes in their lifetime that special moment when they are figuratively tapped…
“Do you think the world was created by an accountant? No! The universe was created by the combustion of a creative explosion.” — Robert Redford I decided to revisit this article after hearing about…
Educate the people. Respect their judgment. Fear concentrated power. And question everything—even your own certainty... Lead with reason, not rage. Serve not for glory—but for posterity... Remember: a republic is not inherited. It…
"Leadership meant restoring balance without breaking the vessel...I did not come to revolutionise—I came to repair. The treasury was strained. Officials were complacent. The people were burdened by outdated practices. But change must…
France had known anarchy. I brought clarity. Yes, I held power tightly—but I used it to build. I listened to counsel. I debated ministers. But I did not tolerate delay. The people wanted…
When the 56 signers put their names to the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, they weren’t just endorsing an idea—they were putting their lives on the line. The British penalty for…
Lead with principle, not popularity. Govern your emotions before governing others. Seek truth, even when it humbles you. And remember: this role, this power, this body—it is all rented. Use it wisely. Return…
What can modern leaders learn from Abraham Lincoln? I thought that Memorial Day was a fitting time to write this blog. More than a century after his death, Lincoln's approach to leadership continues…
Across from me sat George Washington...His presence filled the room, not with grandeur, but with gravitas—the kind that comes from bearing a nation’s birth in your bones
Thanksgiving is more than a holiday—it’s a celebration of gratitude, a virtue that has the power to transform our leadership, relationships, and communities. At its heart, Thanksgiving reminds us of a simple yet…
The journey of an election often feels like an emotional marathon. We rally around causes, invest hope in candidates, and cast our votes with anticipation. When the results don’t match our vision, the…
As we approach Memorial Day 2024, it's important to pause amidst the festivities to remember the profound meaning of this day - honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice serving our nation. What…
Every farewell in life serves as a reminder of life's fragility and inherent beauty. While Bambi's physical presence has faded, her spirit remains a guiding light in my life, encouraging me to cherish…
Celebrating Saint Patrick's Day extends beyond enjoying the festive greenery and toasting to good health—it's about appreciating the legacy of a man whose resilience, convictions, and contributions have echoed through the centuries. His…
It appears that the voices of those seeking to divide us and emphasize our hardships and problems have grown louder. They are experts at pointing out issues but often fail to provide viable solutions. It's…
I compiled the following list of 58 items, including one for good luck, during a 30-minute period of focused thinking. I didn't intend it to be a comprehensive list, but rather a fun…
Donald T. Phillips, in his book Martin Luther King on Leadership, does an impressive job of providing significant details as to why Martin Luther King (MLK) was a great leader. He was more…
Sadly, my father passed away this past year (2013). He was 84 and lived a full life. Many times, he commented to me that he couldn't believe he had lived this long. When…
It is worth remembering that it was no small feat for our Founding Fathers, a group of individuals with many different viewpoints, to agree to, sign, and submit the Declaration of Independence. Most…
As you raise your glass this weekend, please take a moment to reflect on what Monday truly means. There are currently thousands of troops stationed directly in harm's way doing very dangerous, often…
Every new year starts as a blank slate. I encourage you to be mindful of what you write on it this year. Push yourself to dream bigger, act better, and make a tangible positive difference in…
wanted to share a Christmas Blessing from the late John O’Donohue this year. His writing continues to inspire and motivate me to become a better version of myself. He makes sense of the…
This year, our Thanksgiving gathering will be a small one—just my wife and me. I am grateful to have her by my side. My guess is that many of you will also be doing…
Politics has become big business, and that is a shame. Why else would national campaigns cost so much money? It was never meant to be this way. Why is our congress full of…
Things can unravel quickly. This is an unfortunate reality of life. Friendships built over a lifetime, partnerships forged through sustained effort, and families who spent a lifetime loving one another are more fragile…
It is never easy to lose someone or a pet that you love. It's a sad aspect of life that when we become close with another living being, that at some point, it…
n my many years studying leadership, nothing has troubled me more than the leader who takes a divide-and-conquer approach to their role. Sadly, it is much easier to do this than to bring…
Memorial Day 2020 marks a unique moment in American history. We are at war against a virus, and once again, people are sacrificing on our behalf (although not on a traditional battlefield). We…
To my knowledge, the Vatican has never officially canonized Saint Patrick, but he remains on the list of saints. At times, the accomplishments of a life can stand on their own. I urge you…
George Washington was truly a great man. We are all still benefiting from his immense leadership character back in the 18th century. Our current leaders could learn a great deal from him if…
The romantic interpretation of the first Thanksgiving always captivates me. I'm not sure the information is entirely accurate, but the story is inspiring nonetheless.
President's Day is important because it celebrates two great men who changed the course of history for our country, for the better, and set an example of what is possible with effective and…
There is a light of goodness pervading the universe, which is hard to miss if one pays attention. I see regular examples of selflessness, charity, and helpfulness every day. I’ll go to my…
As I sit here writing with the names of the dead lost on September 11 being read in the background on TV, it’s easy to get very emotional. It's hard to believe it's…
Great presidents don’t shy away from challenges; they embrace them and guide the country through them with grace and strength. They understand the importance of relationships, both at home and abroad, and they…
As we get set to celebrate another Independence Day here in the United States, we should rightfully pay tribute the obvious courage that had to be exhibited by our Founding Fathers 236 years…
As we approach the end of another year, I wanted to reach out and wish all my friends and colleagues—Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and all others—a happy holiday season. I have always believed that…
No leader can rest on their laurels for too long, and there is always another year or season coming when you must prove yourself again. Sports can be even more ruthless than business…
I always hoped there would be a Hollywood Super Bowl ending for Tony, not just because I would benefit as a fan of the team, but because it felt like he deserved it.…
One person can make a significant difference in the future of our country. I fear that Donald Trump will have a significant impact, and it won't be in a positive way.
Memorial Day is a day to remember those who gave “the last full measure of devotion.” Throughout the history of our country, the number is well more than 1 million lives lost. While…
I've always looked forward to Thanksgiving Day. It is one of my favorite holidays of the year. The combination of the food, the parade, football, and, most importantly, family, makes it a special…
Every year, I conduct research to find inspiration for this special holiday in our country. I was fortunate to come across the speech “The Spirit of Liberty,” by Learned Hand, a renowned judicial…
I don't claim to know all the facts leading up to the recent demonstrations and violence that happened 50 miles from my doorstep. And, I don't trust the media to provide an objective…
Few figures embody the spirit of resilience, determination, and innovation quite like Thomas Edison. His words remind us that success is rarely the result of one brilliant idea or lucky break—it’s built through…
Every year, I have fun reading holiday books, looking for excerpts from writings that reflect my feelings about the season. This is an especially poignant year for me, given my father's recent passing.…
When you sit back and reflect on Thanksgiving there is much to learn from the events that led to its creation. It is quite a testament to the power of the human spirit…
July 4 has always been one of my favorite times of the year. It is a day rich in history and rightfully filled with revelry. As an American, I am proud of our…
Ralph Waldo Emerson is one of my favorite writers. It is hard to box him into any one style because he does it all so flawlessly. While he is sometimes not an easy…
I typically ask my friends and clients to share some wisdom about life on their birthdays. I am always impressed by what they produce. The following is my humble attempt to offer ten…
I'm very concerned about the artificial reality we are creating for kids today. Everyone gets a medal or award. Disappointment and/or adversity is to be avoided at all costs. We are also teaching…
At the risk of sounding like an old codger (which I am not), I can't believe how worked up people get over common issues these days. It's as if any level of adversity…
Christmas for me has always been about acknowledging that there are things more important than ourselves and the individual journey we are taking. We can and should strive to be worthy of our…
There are only a few days a years when we are all encouraged to step back and reflect on our life and its many blessings. I find this time of year to be…
There is certain randomness to a natural disaster which is hard to explain. Sure, we have weather forecasters who are diligent about keeping us informed, but even they can’t predict where the damage…
Far too many people think that leadership is about style over substance these days. It's almost as if it is more important to look and sound like a leader rather than behave like…
I don't remember growing up in a fearful society, but I feel like I live in one now. Just turn on the TV, listen to the radio, and read the newspaper; someone will eventually…
There are many things in life beyond our ability to control. All you need to do is read, watch, or listen to the news, and you will be exposed to a litany of…
Since Father's Day is right around the corner, I thought it would be fitting to share some of what I have learned from my dad. Every boy's first role model is his father. You…
There is a dark side to our competitive nature as individuals that often begrudges the success of others. I'm not sure why this and there are probably many psychological and neurological explanations. What…
It's important to celebrate your accomplishments! It's easy to forget why you work so hard when you're busy running a company. Running a business can be challenging, particularly in the past few years.…
I'm guessing it is a function of getting older, but I wake up much earlier these days. At first, this habit used to frustrate me. Although I was never a late sleeper, I…
I don't know when the shift started in my lifetime, but we have changed from a nation that gets results to one that accepts a lack of performance and then bemoans our lack…
The media is great at bombarding us with stories about the flaws in our human character and the regular breakdowns in community behavior. However, my experience has been quite the opposite. My life…
It's eay to overlook our true blessings amidst the daily chaos. I’ve always believed that everyone’s life is a novel, and we are all the protagonists of our own story. I, for one,…
Quite a few people bemoan the length of our presidential primaries and other election campaigns these days - I don't. For a brief period, people can maintain an act or deliver what you…
No one likes to work in a company run by a leader with a dictator's mindset. Just like in countries run by despots, there is always simmering discontent bubbling under the surface. Fear…
I am back from a weeklong business trip to the Bahamas at a famous resort. It is a very impressive venue. I cannot imagine how much money was invested in creating the experience...I…
Our Founding Fathers would be upset but not shocked by our current state. They knew the potentially corrupt influence that money, power, and fame could have on any political process. Many of them…
Over the weekend, the world lost a legendary football coach, leader, and man. I wish it had happened under a less dark cloud. However, life doesn’t always work that way. I will always…
Don't be so quick to rush to judgment. It is sad how much self-righteousness, anger, fear, jealousy and resentment lurks beneath the surface of society today. It takes very little for the media…
By learning to master your own mind first — improving self-awareness, observation, empathy, and habits — you can fundamentally transform how you connect, lead, and succeed. For any business owner or leader seeking…
Breakneck: China’s Quest to Engineer the Future is more than a book about China; it’s a challenge to how we think about progress, power, and responsibility. By immersing you in “China’s quest to…
Join bestselling author Andy Andrews on an extraordinary journey through time in The Traveler’s Gift: Seven Decisions That Determine Personal Success. Blending fiction, self-help, and historical insight, this inspiring story follows David Ponder,…
Managing a business, or any organization, I came to see, was more practical art than applied science. Yes, there were some useful disciplines, as in any art form, but what worked best could…
The true path to wisdom can be identified by three things, first, it must involve Agape…Second, it has to have practical application in your life. Otherwise, wisdom becomes a useless thing and deteriorates,…
Introduction: There are three main ways people find fulfillment of their life meaning, in Frankl’s view, First, there is action, such as creating a work, whether art or a labor of love –…
Please click on this link for the Every Time I Find the Meaning of Life -They Change It Book Summary Chapter 1: “Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you…
Please click on this link for the Leadership in War Book Summary Chapter 1: Napoleon Bonaparte “Napoleon recognized that the best way to inspire his people was through two means: imbuing people…
Please click on this link for the Brain Rules Book Summary Rule #1: Exercise Boosts Brain Power One of the greatest predictors of successful aging was the presence or absence of a…
Chapter 1: What Are You Afraid Of? Level 1 Fears – The Surface Story; Exterior Situations Those That Happen Those Requiring Action Aging Going Back to School Becoming Disabled Making Decisions Retirement Changing…
Chapter 2: Wonder “The way to love anything is to realize that it might be lost.’ It makes us look at everything with a new appreciation.” Chapter 3: The Riddles of…
I have been a Charles Handy fan for many years and find that his work only becomes more prescient and meaningful with time. It’s amazing how he could envision the world we would be doing…
I: Consolation for Unpopularity Chapter 2 “If common sense is cordoned off from questions, it is because its judgments are deemed plainly too sensible to be the targets of scrutiny.” “It is not…
By appreciating the present, living authentically, finding happiness in simple pleasures, embracing mortality, navigating life's absurdities with humor, practicing detachment, embracing forgiveness, cultivating patience and determination, enhancing self-esteem, and adjusting perspective, individuals can…
"Brain Rules" by John Medina provides valuable insights into how the brain works and offers practical advice for enhancing cognitive function and well-being. By understanding and applying these principles, individuals can improve their…
By applying the teachings of Socrates, Epicurus, Seneca, Montaigne, Schopenhauer, and Nietzsche, we can cultivate resilience, wisdom, and fulfillment. These philosophical insights remind us that personal growth often arises from questioning norms, embracing…
We have a weekly newsletter packed full of weekly updates of latest content posted here.
‘Ask Ed’ AI Chatbot: Ed has developed this chatbot to allow you to easily access the content he has complied over the last 30 years as a business and leadership coach. Click ‘Ask Ed’ below to get your questions answered.
