Exempt from Obligation

by | Oct 25, 2012 | Lessons Learned, Stewardship

I have never joyfully written a check for taxes. However, this is not a new phenomenon. I doubt the Egyptians enjoyed paying taxes on their cooking oil. The Greeks surely did not enjoy paying taxes to wage wars but amazingly received refunds when excess was raised....

Weakness Denied — A Good Strategy?

by | Oct 18, 2012 | Lessons Learned, Surrender

Society's message that acknowledging weakness is not a good strategy often resonated with me. Power and control seemed more desirable. In fact, during college a peer gave me this advice, "As you lead, don't ever show your weakness." Unfortunately at...

Based on a True Story

by | Oct 11, 2012 | Lessons Learned, Truth

I sometimes read Reader’s Digest — true stories about real people delivering a more powerful punch than fiction. In fact, movies and books often carry the tagline, based on a true story. We often say that truth is stranger than fiction. I remember reading...

Talking Rugby

by | Oct 4, 2012 | Lessons Learned, Love

I just returned from New Zealand — rugby heaven. While I was there New Zealand played South Africa. The All-Blacks (New Zealand) won. The next day everyone was talking about the victory. No one has to teach a native of New Zealand how to talk rugby! It is their...