Years ago, I had just wrapped up an intense two-day consulting job in Southern California. I was sitting in my rental car, trying to drum up the energy to drive to the airport and catch a plane back to D.C.
Just then, my phone rang..
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Tick Talk – The Better Newsletter #43
A few weeks before graduating from VA Tech, my son Tom saw a job opening at NASA’s Mission Control at Johnson Space Center in Houston.
His dream job. He submitted his resume and – YAY! – got an interview.
A Shining Example of A.G.E.N.C.Y. In Action
The lead story in my new book A.G.E.N.C.Y. is about a family who has changed more in the past six months than many of us have in decades. Here’s what I mean.
Did Anyone Ever Teach You A.G.E.N.C.Y.?
One of my favorite questions on the Agency Quiz is, “Did anyone ever teach you A.G.E.N.C.Y.? If so, how did they encourage and support you in being a change agent?”
How to Inspire A.G.E.N.C.Y. in Others?
I define A.G.E.N.C.Y. as… The “opportunity, ability, responsibility to IMPROVE what happens to us, by us, and around us.”
Fresh Start? – The Better Newsletter #42
One rainy day when my son Andrew was young, he got bored and used some crayons to turn our wall into a colorful mural.
I was not a happy camper. In the midst of letting him know this, he looked up and said, “Mom, can we have a FRESH START?”
Lead With Authentic Appreciation – The Better Newsletter #41
A woman in a recent workshop said, “I work for a government agency. I can’t remember the last time someone paid me a compliment.”
I told her, “Instead of waiting to receive overdue appreciation, GO FIRST and get the ball rolling by giving other people the recognition they deserve.”
Feel Free to Show Gratitude – The Better Newsletter #40
I’ll always remember driving through the Great Smoky Mountains over July 4th weekend several years ago, listening to Garrison Keillor’s final show of a Prairie Home Companion, broadcast live from the Hollywood Bowl.
President Obama called to give Keillor a shout-out for his 40+ years of story-telling. Keillor asked, “What are you looking forward to when you’re out of office?”
Double Down on Your Dreams – The Better Newsletter #39
I’ll always remember, years ago, standing in a pouring rain on a crowded NYC street trying to flag down a taxi. No luck. I called my son out of frustration, told him what was happening and said, “I’m going to miss my plane. Any suggestions?”
Confidence, Curiosity & Connection – The Better Newsletter #38
Years ago, an engineer stood up at an event I was speaking at and said, “When I was a kid, I couldn’t wait to grow up because I thought confidence came with the territory.” I told him, “The way to get confidence is to…