Archive for May, 2010


Are we transparent enough?

May 20th, 2010 // 1 Comment

Photo by Eddy Van

I was talking to my friend Phil Richman, a Financial Advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors, at the gym the other day and he raised a point worth blogging about. He said “it is the age of transparency.”

Trust has broken down in our financial system so badly that the leaders that will emerge will be the ones who are the most transparent. No matter what business you are in or what title you hold people are looking for transparency. Cynicism is at an all time high; I agree with Phil that more transparency is necessary whether you are in the financial, government, private or nonprofit sector.

What will it take for you and your organization to be more transparent with each other and your clients?

Maintain a Positive Attitude even in “Tough Times”: Staying Positive in a Negative World

May 6th, 2010 // No Comments

“People are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” ~ Abraham Lincoln

Having a positive attitude when things are going well is easy. Now is the time to step up the positive forces. Instead of being a victim, set a goal to be recognized as a force for being positive in your workplace, your community and your family. Here are some strategies:

Re-energize Yourself: A dead battery can’t charge a dead battery

  • Perform kind acts for others
  • Look for opportunities to enjoy the simple pleasures of life
  • Get enough rest
  • Go on a media diet – since it seems to repeat only the negative side of life
  • Be sure to spend quality time with people who energize you
  • Laugh more - it releases stress
  • Avoid gossip and sarcasm
  • Maintain a positive shield and don’t let “negaholics” bring you down with them
  • Focus on the positive and what’s going well

Did you know?

The average kid laughs 415 times a day; the average adult only 15! Do you need to play catch up? Chapter 11 of Water The Bamboo®: Unleashing the Potential of Teams and Individuals, Lighten Up, offers some suggestions on how you can lighten up and bring more laughter into your life.