Blog
13Jan 2013
I have been working with families, kids, teens and young adults for 30 years now. One of the most common challenges I see individuals experience is knowing when to let their family members experience the results of their choices and when to intervene and “rescue” them from the negative consequences they will be facing. (Interestingly, the situation often occurs with
07Dec 2012
Now is the time when many of us are starting to think: “I’d like to get my boss a gift for Christmas — just a little something — but what? I don’t want it to look like I’m trying to gain her favor. But I don’t want just to give her some token ‘something’ that will look schmaltzy. (And I
12Nov 2012
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta are known worldwide for their work in preventing outbreaks of diseases and research in understanding viruses and bacteria. Now, the CDC can help us in understanding how to successfully transfer positive values to our children and future generations. But I am talking about a different “CDC”. One of the most common issues
30Sep 2012
The level of unemployment in our nation is at one of the highest levels since the Great Depression of the 1930’s. Although the official “unemployment rate” cited by the government and media continues to hover around 8% of the national workforce, it is well documented that this is almost assuredly an underestimate of those who would like to be working
26Aug 2012
Recently, I was privileged to hear Patrick Lencioni speak at the Willow Creek Association Leadership Summit, and I have also been reading his excellent book, The Advantage. Patrick believes that, while most companies and organizations have the technical and knowledge aspects of business down, “the advantage” the more successful organizations and businesses have is being a “healthy organization”. He defines
02Apr 2012
I have just returned from a week in Beijing, China, where I was invited to attend a conference sponsored by the publisher who is translating and publishing Dr. Chapman’s and my book, The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, in Chinese. The conference attendees were various Western business and organizational leaders and we were addressed by a variety of
23Mar 2012
[Note: It has been a while since I’ve written a blog entry. I apologize. I’ve been focused on speaking and training engagements for my book, and that has taken most of my time and mental energy. I will be writing more frequently (again) in my blog.] As I continue to work with families and family owned businesses across the country,
21Dec 2011
As we all approach the Christmas holiday weekend, many people’s anxiety level is rising. Why? Because we are starting to think about the upcoming visit with our family. You may be going to your parents’ home (or your in-laws’) or family members are coming to your home, or you may gather at one of your (or your spouse’s) siblings homes.
17Nov 2011
Thanksgiving is the holiday where we are encouraged to be thankful for the good things in our lives – health, safety, adequate food, clothing, and shelter, as well as the many material blessings we have. For most people, Thanksgiving is usually more of a personally-focused celebration, including sharing meals and time with family and friends.But the Thanksgiving holiday season can
11Nov 2011
“The holidays.” Those two words are packed with memories, fleeting media images and mixed emotional reactions. The Thanksgiving-Christmas-New Year’s holiday season has begun, and if you are like me, with them come a rapid succession of excitement, anticipation, anxiety, wonder, and a sense of tiredness (and I haven’t even done anything yet.) We are planning the extended family Thanksgiving gathering