What are your dreams? If you could have it any way you wanted it, what would your organization be like – so that you could make the greatest Mission Impact possible? Dream and dream big. It was Longfellow who once wrote: Let us build such a church that those who come after us will think we were madmen’, said the old canon of Seville . . . Perhaps through every mind … [Read more...] about Building Cathedrals
inspiration
Leadership is Fragile
I am blogging today from Columbus, OH, home of one of my alma maters, The Ohio State University. Later today I will be doing a one day workshop based on the Mission Impact book entitled “Clearing Hurdles to Innovation & Strategy” for about sixty-five nonprofit executives from Central Ohio. Usually when I visit here, the buzz is about football or basketball. But not … [Read more...] about Leadership is Fragile
The Moon Shot vs Cancer
One of the best examples of a successful Almost Impossible Stretch Goal is the Moon Shot. (To read more about the power of Almost Impossible Goals, click here.) On May 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy – in a speech to a joint session of Congress – announced the goal of landing a man on the moon and safely returning him to Earth. For those of you not alive in the 1960s, … [Read more...] about The Moon Shot vs Cancer
Fighting Gravity
Why is it that even the most inspiring visions sometimes . . . fizzle? It’s because excellence and true leadership are really, really hard. It’s like Fighting Gravity. Gravity – normalness – pulls at us every day. Try to escape gravity by pulling away from the “norm” to do something “special,” “unique,” and “exceptional?” Gravity tries to pull you back down. “Who are … [Read more...] about Fighting Gravity
The Value of Impossible Dreams
Regardless of one’s political affiliation, the fact that President Obama’s second inauguration coincides with Martin Luther King, Jr. Day provides an opportunity for reflection on many levels. When Dr. King gave his “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963, many people thought that his dream was impossible. Given how divided the country was at that time, one can appreciate how … [Read more...] about The Value of Impossible Dreams