Seth Kahan

Creative deviants are people who come up with inventive ways to circumvent the norm. In my work it is not unusual to find people operating outside the system to get things done. Often these folks have hit upon something important, worth paying attention to.  I recall my early days at the World Bank when we […]

Leaders require a customized approach to self-care. Their capacity and ability has immediate and profound consequences for the quality of leadership they provide. If you are a leader, your job is unique. In contrast to those carrying out predefined work, you put your efforts into shifting the status quo, arousing and inspiring peers, igniting collective

Last October I decided to learn more the future of association leadership. Why? Because associations provide a microcosm of the US economy. If you group together all of the professional societies, which bring together experts in a specific area of expertise, and all the trade associations, which unite business owners involved in common commerce, you

Doug Culkin, CEO of the National Apartment Association, developed an innovative idea he called, Grow the Show. The NAA is making an open offer to marketing firms, promotion experts, anyone who wants to give it a try. Just take the 2013 attendance number and double it for the 2015 event, and you will win a

Life is chock full of examples of people who did extraordinary things with little or no money, or at the end of their lives when time was scarce. As an example of rags to riches, take Maria das Gra�as Silva Foster, the Brazilian business executive and chemical engineer who is the CEO of Petrobras-Petr�leo Brasil,

It’s easy to get caught up in the complexity of it all. After all, everything is connected to everything else.  There are so many results for any one action that it’s tempting to get lost trying to understand the implications. If you are not careful you will feel like you are wondering through a house

People who accomplish great things are unreasonable. They go beyond what is expected, even against it. There will always be those who tell you your aspirations are not realistic or will get you in trouble. Don’t let them dissuade you. Not today. If ever there was a day when the world needed your courage, it

Did you know that my new puppy, Sita, made the front page of the blog of the International Bridge Tunnel & Turnpike Association?  While this is not exactly about my upcoming webinar, I could not resist letting you know that my little doggy is a star thanks to Pat Jones, CEO of the IBTTA. Check

I have a dream to help leaders create the future. I believe we influence our world much more than we generally acknowledge. The visions we hold, our moment-to-moment choices, and day-to-day actions are our greatest tools. I want to work hand-in-hand with people who make a difference. I want to stand by their side, ready

I once went into the Adirondack wilderness for 10 days to find peace and quiet, contemplate life’s great mysteries, and make peace with life.  I went with a few other men and we often talked together about our dreams. One of them said something I often remember “You know what I believe to be the