Entering a new decade pushes us toward envisioning what the future will bring. We set targets, make strategic plans, and talk about what where we want to be in 2-3- and 5 years. 

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Make no mistake: everyone is in sales. Whether it is your official role or you're a manager trying to sell an idea to a team; whether you’re a city official seeking a vote on a bond measure or a college student trying t get a great date for the football game—WE ALL SELL. This article first appeared in Jeb Blount’s web site Sales Gravy and I was also interviewed by him. Rejection requires resiliency as does acceptance because you’ll need energy—the hallmark of resilience— to achieve an outcome. Jeb has a new book "INKED: The Ultimate Guide to Powerful Closing and Sales Negotiation Tactics that Unlock YES and Seal the Deal" on sale today. To get a signed copy visit his site Sales Gravy or to buy on Amazon visit Amazon.com. 

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My colleague Susan Fowler has written a thought provoking article that I asked to share with my readers.  Susan tells the story of Tiffany Haddish a breakout star on television and in movies.  Tiffany had a terrible childhood while being shuttled from one foster home to another. Rather than living a life of misery Tiffany grew stronger and wiser.  I hope you enjoy the article as much as I did. 

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Positive role models are always touted. But I believe, we can learn just as much—if not more—from negative examples. What do we NOT want to do? How do we NOT want to behave? These lessons are often more powerful and easier to grasp.  

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The Institute for the Future teamed up with the University of Phoenix Research Institute to pinpoint critical skills essential to thrive in 2020. Here are the top two: Sense-Making and Social Intelligence. 

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Time to throw down the towel and admit there are some events in life over which I have no clue and stand helpless. Perhaps you have had them, too. This is the time when you frantically search your data base or your brain and say, “Now, who can help me?” 

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One would think that with September behind us, all the scheduling for school events, business meetings, business trips, and project deadlines would be complete. Alas, work is never done and what we think was a manageable load becomes the creeping embers for potential burnout.  

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My colleague, John Mattone, has graciously allowed us to offer an excerpt of his new book The Intelligent Leader: Unlocking The Secrets To Leading Others And Leaving Your Legacy.  Resilient organizations must have excellent leaders who find and keep outstanding employees.  John shares what it takes to unlock leadership talent. 

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We have all heard the expression: “Be careful what you ask for. You might get it.” The same thing applies to words that we toss around so casually. Words color our imagination and evoke emotions. In fact, someone said recently said to me, “Don’t look for deficiencies. Look for proficiency.” The simple word changed my thought process. 

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I’m trying to practice requisite variety - looking for multiple responses to a given situation. After all, it’s what Darwin proclaimed would decide what species made it: the ones with many ways of adapting to the environment.  Unfortunately, sometimes I am stuck with a singular way of thinking about something. 

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