The Welsh poet, Dylan Thomas once wrote; “There’s only one thing that’s worse than an unhappy childhood, and that’s a too-happy childhood.” I’m not sure if this is true or not, but I do know that this poses an interesting question for parents who worry their...
I’d like to post my own review of an excellent book I just finished called The First 90 Days. Written by Michael D. Watkins and first published in 2003 by Harvard Business Review Press, the book was conceived for corporate leaders in transition. The central...
When a bowl, teapot or precious vase falls and breaks into a thousand pieces, we throw it away with regret and rarely think about it again. But the Japanese have a better idea and it's called Kintsugi. This is an ancient practice in which brokenness...
The apocalyptic firestorm that descended upon Napa Valley a few weeks ago forced the Annual Meeting for the PMPA to be moved to downtown San Francisco. Thankfully, the resort where the conference was originally booked, the Meritage Resort & Spa, was not directly impacted by...
I am very honored to be speaking at the Wisconsin Family Business Center in Appleton later this week. The Center is affiliated with the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh. This isn't the first time I've traveled to the state for a speaking job but it is...
As a family business grows, it is highly likely that it may eventually need and seek the counsel of outside professionals with specialized expertise. Few businesses get too far in the world without engaging an attorney, financial planner, or accountant, for example, at some point. This...
It's rare that we ever get what we want by blowing up over it. With that in mind, I couldn't help but be struck by this image of a young woman smiling into the face of an enraged protestor. The photo went viral on social media this week. Television...
This week I flew from my hometown of Dallas to address the Chicago Family Business Council at DePaul University. I was so honored to address this illustrious group of family companies and I am very appreciative of their faith in me and the work I...
Historians say that the costliest of all human conflict is civil war. When brother picks up arms against brother, there are no winners. A family business can inherently be a combative environment to operate within. Anyone who has ever sat at a Thanksgiving dinner probably has...
The United States has weathered many storms in the centuries since our founding – depression, recession, war, social upheaval, terrorism. We have been led by wise leaders and by mere mortals who have been viewed harshly through the lens of history. Through all of the...
