We all have times in our lives when we are called to do something we never would have chosen, some great turning or milestone that comes to us as a fact of life, like the passing of a loved one or an abrupt end to a job, or some other trial that throws us so […]
Many in my family served in the armed forces and the intelligence community. While I prefer other solutions to our greatest challenges I recognize there are times when nothing less than a military response is required. I am grateful and beholden to those who step in harm’s way, on our soil or overseas, to ensure
Honor the Valor and Spirit of the Fallen Read More »
Fear is probably the chief inhibitor of great performance. It shows up in many ways for a wide variety of reasons. There are two important things to know about fear: (1) It can be an appropriate response to a threatening environment, and (2) It narrows your options, focuses your actions and inhibits both possibilities and
What is most important to you? If you don’t know what you want, someone else will be happy to figure it out for you! My reflections have recently brought me across the work of George Lakoff, an unabashedly progressive cognitive linguist who studies “frame,” sets of inter-related ideas, values and words that literally inhabit our
I grew up in the 60s. From 1960 to 1969 I was 0 to 10. During that time my dad, Bob Kahan, was a young university professor. All of the unrest that was taking place on college campuses and the hippy culture surrounded me. Psychedelic art was everywhere. I remember going to events where people
When I help CEOs lead change, there are four timelines I walk them through: Immediate Result – What will you do today? Now? Short-term Wins – What will be your early milestones that generate momentum? Medium-term Success – How will you hit the bulls eye in 18-24 months? Long-term Sustainability – How will you build
Fear is probably the chief inhibitor of great performance. It shows up in many ways for a wide variety of reasons. There are two important things to know about fear: (1) It can be an appropriate response to a threatening environment, and (2) It narrows your options, focuses your actions and inhibits both possibilities and
I was talking with my son last week and reviewing some of his accomplishments in his freshman year of college. I could see some things that were invisible to him, because it’s always easier to stand on the outside and make observations. He is learning so much. To him it sometimes feels like he is
Acorns Become Great Oaks Read More »
If you are like me, you find that certain questions raise anxiety. I call these Core Questions. They raise issues that are at the core of my life. When they come up, I think to myself, ‘Oh no. If I question this and come up with something, it means that I might have to make
Every 3 months or so I and my wife, the lovely and incomparable Laura Baron, go on a special trip together, just the two of us. The purpose is to reconnect away from all the daily distractions and day-to-day responsibilities. This last week we went to Old Town Alexandria, where we had a chance Saturday
