Peak Performers

08/31/2025

"Many growth-minded people didn't even plan to go to the top. They got there as a result of doing what they love. It's ironic: The top is where the fixed-mindset people hunger to be, but it's where many growth-minded people arrive as a by-product of their enthusiasm for what they do."

From: Mindset - The New Psychology of Success
Author - Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.

If we take time to consider our career...Did enthusiasm exist for what we did or currently do? For me? I had to love my work.

08/15/2025

Have not posted here in quite awhile. Read "Hidden Potential" "The science of achieving greater things" by Adam Grant.

I highly recommend for coaches, teachers, supervisors, managers and leaders...

"It's easy for people to be critics or cheerleaders. It's harder to get them to be coaches. A critic sees your weaknesses and attacks your worst self. A cheerleader sees your strengths and celebrates your best self. A coach sees your potential and helps you become a better version of yourself."

11/11/2023

A post from quite a few years ago:

Managing UP - Practice

Taking responsibility for the relationship with your boss is not hard; but it is important for trust, efficacy, productivity and open communication. The results are “better sailing and navigating the workplace.” If your boss does not take time to set expectations with you (both tangible and intangible), then it’s a good idea to ask about having that discussion. I guarantee your boss will appreciate it.

A few example questions: How do you like your communication? How much communication do you want and when? What are your biggest challenges for which my job and what I do can support? What are your particular preferences for me working for you? And there are a host of other topics/questions for discussion and discovery.

Never assume when being promoted and getting a new boss, that what you did for the former boss will work for the new boss. They are all different with varying needs, personality styles, preferences, work habits, challenges, and, let’s not forget, corporate cultures (to name just a few). So, do your share in managing the relationship with your boss. You will quickly discover that it will make a world of difference in your productivity, adding value, work satisfaction, relationship, and increase success for both you and your boss.

08/21/2023

"We all have our frog floats.” On true humility

“It’s simple:

1. Be humble in your demeanor and your expectations.

2. Accept the fact that you will be asked to do jobs that are beneath your status. Do them to the best of your ability.

3. Measure the strength of your employees by their willingness to do the little tasks and do them well.”

Admiral William H. McRaven, (U.S. Navy Retired)
Author “The Wisdom of the Bullfrog”

05/07/2023

When will retailers get it? I remember going to Benny’s. If I needed something and asked where it was, the employee always walked me over to the specific shelf, and asked if I had any other questions. I have missed you over the years, Benny’s!

Yesterday, I had a wonderful experience trying to find something in lawn and garden (Lowe’s). The employee walked all over the store until he found it! Wow! Dedicated to service! Today, I returned in need of a product to plant my annuals. When I asked an employee, I was told abruptly, “If we have it, it’s on that wall and waved her arm. And if it’s not there and we have it, it’s inside on that wall waving her arm, and quickly walked away.” Checked out both areas, NOTHING!

So, I went inside at the counter and asked another employee. That same woman, who “helped me”, was there talking to a fellow employee, and knew I was irritated. As I asked the woman at the counter, where I could find it and if they carried it, the ignorant woman, upon my first encounter, looked at me and said “I am not customer service.” I looked at her and replied with irritation and annoyance, “Everyone in this store is customer service!!”

So, hey six figure-earners in the “C suites” of the big box stores, hire the right people, train them to understand the importance of the customer and coach them as needed. If you do, you’d worry less about turnover and profits!! Wake up retailers!!

03/11/2022

Emotional Intelligence research discovered that a leader can be very successful with out experience in a specific discipline or industry- as long as they have a high level emotional intelligence. Zelenskyy is an excellent example. Five key elements for EQ are: self-awareness, self-control, empathy, social skills and motivation.

06/29/2021

"The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away." Pablo Picasso.

05/24/2021

Major step in sound management and leadership best practices.

02/25/2021

Teams viewed the following Jet Blue/Coke Cola clip and wrote a reflection regarding their best idea. Their smart summary included this thought, "Diversity is power, not an obstacle to overcome." Nice work & hats off to: Bella Faggiano, Haley Gallandt, Bridget Mitchell, Kristen Parry, Meg Scier, Nadia Tatum.

Guess you never know who you’re going to meet at the airport...Created and sponsored by JetBlue.Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/user/aplusapp?sub_confirma...

02/14/2021

"I just want to be the best version of me." Dee Mitchell Something to strive for each day. Take a look at this "good news" story.

When walk-on Oklahoma State University basketball player Dee Mitchell needed to pick up a full-time job to help his family pay his tuition, head coach Mike Boynton set out to find a way to keep him on the team. In January, the coach surprised Mitchell with a scholarship during his shift at Walmart.

02/11/2021

I am reviewing an extra credit required team assignment. Teams had to watch Chadwick Boseman's commencement address at Howard University. I had to share how one team summed up what they took away: "To advocate for marginalized and diverse individuals, we want to continue to ensure that our intentions and actions go beyond ourselves. As best we can, we will try and allow the work we complete to be accompanied by the pursuit of goodness. No grade or assignment holds any merit if we lose focus of that foundational goal previously mentioned." Hats off to Pano Mousis, Tessa Hunt, Marianna Murphy, Patrick Kelly & Austin Caruso Wow! ❤

02/02/2021

"Whenever I get to a low point, I go back to the basics. I ask myself, 'Why am I doing this?' It comes down to passion." Lyn St. James