I love taking on new challenges. In fact, I’m a firm believer that when we face challenges, we dramatically improve ourselves, in both our professional and personal lives. But not everyone seems to agree. I frequently come across entrepreneurs, consultants, and other individuals who avoid challenges like the plague. They’re content with the status quo, resigned to being “just good enough,” and reluctant to take any rewarding risks at work, or at home. This type of complacency can be devastating...

There is a common notion which is held by popular thought leaders that we should focus on our strengths and ignore or forget our weaknesses. I found this not only an absurdity but actually bad advice. When I first started my business I realized my strengths were in software development and my attention to details. Marketing, speaking, and content development were not only my weaknesses, but activities I actually dreaded doing. I realized that in order to increase my success...

It’s one of the most disturbing trends among so-called innovative thinkers: “me too” syndrome. No matter how intelligent, capable, or opinionated people are, they seem to fall into this trap as soon as someone makes a point or brings up an issue. “Me too! I agree with you!” is the first thing out of their mouth. But why? We seem to be living in an age of agreement, where no one wants to ruffle feathers or rock the boat by...

This past Sunday, September 11, I, along with the nation, recalled the tragedy that our great country suffered 15 years ago. As I watched the recorded footage from that fateful day, listened to the stories shared by family members and the reading of the names, I was reminded of my experience on that morning that seems so long ago and yet is forever ingrained in the forefront of my mind. I had flown my entire team to a leadership development...

I was engaged in discussions with a prospective client who showed great interest in our services and its potential value for his business. After a few weeks of great conversations, and to my unpleasant surprise, he shared with me his decision to go in a different direction. He said: “This may sound awkward but the reason I decided to go with another company is because I did not want to disappoint you!” “Disappoint me?” I said. “How would that be?”...

As the last days of summer and the long sunny days have started to dwindle, I’ve taken every opportunity to enjoy the evenings exploring Cleveland. As an east-sider, I have not crossed over the bridge to the west side as often as I should have to see the treasures that make up this great city. As you may have noticed from my many posts, I am becoming more and more interested in honing my photography skills with newer lenses and...

It’s a claim I hear all the time in business: “I’m a perfectionist!” Many people seem to think perfectionism is a virtue, so they proudly admit their obsession with perfection. But the truth about perfectionism is far darker. More often than not, perfectionism in business is simply an excuse for procrastination. It even reflects self-doubt, and lack of belief in one’s own abilities. In fact, perfectionism is the number one disguise for fear of rejection from others. People drag their...

I had the privilege of attending my first political rally today on the west side of Cleveland. Cleveland is still exploding with the excitement of the Cavaliers’ championship win, as the host city for the Republican convention and today, the whirlwind stop of the Clinton campaign to deliver a message to Northeast Ohioans. I packed my backpack full of my newest and most highly powered camera lenses to get a variety of shots and come as close to the action...

I’ve been on a continual quest to develop unique and powerful ideas that profoundly help others. One of the most often asked questions is, where do such ideas come from? As I was reflected on this question it occurred to me that a few years ago I wrote the article: I Think I’ll Invent Something New — What Are the Best Ways of Developing New Ideas. So in the spirit of improving upon what I already created and since I...

This week’s reflection point: When was the last time you updated the photos on your web site and for your marketing collateral? I find it funny when viewing peoples’ sites that the photos used are nearly vintage ones taken at the time when the light bulb was invented. Okay, not really that old, but definitely not recent! I am often asked what are the best ways to take new photos. I solicited the feedback of my creative design team and...