By eliminating cigarettes from its stores, CVS embraced the concept of the leadership funeral. The company had the guts and wisdom to let go of THEN beliefs and to lean into new NOW values. As part of that process, they realized that what they had done up to this point would not serve them well going forward.

The response to the Boston Marathon bombings is credited as the most effective and collaborative response to a disaster ever studied. One key reason, according to experts who researched the response, was the leadership of Governor Patrick. It’s exemplified by how he entered the command center each time. Instead of telling people what to do, he would ask: “How can I help?’

The old ways of leading do not reflect new realities and are failing to inspire new generations. Outdated leadership approaches reduce productivity, increase turnover, squash the potential of our people, and ultimately kill profits. But what if the way we lead our teams matched the pace of our rapidly changing world? What if we shifted from top-down, command/control leadership to a more bottom-up, purpose-driven, and human-centered approach?

Starting in August 2020, I will serve for 12 months as a Military Observer in the oldest UN mission, the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization in the Middle East.

Humility often gets a bad rap because it is associated with weakness or being “soft” and as a result is resisted by a lot of leaders. Leaders often think of being humble as lacking confidence, ambition, and assertiveness.

After three months of intense peacekeeping training during which we really got to know each other well, my team and I deployed to Kosovo at the end of March 2017.

Communicating well when things go south is one of the most powerful ways to provide the psychological safety for your people to speak up and to foster upstream communication.

On April 9, 2017, Dr. David Dao Duy Anh was injured while being forcibly removed from the fully boarded, sold-out United Express Flight 3411.

Former NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg knew exactly what he wanted when he moved into NYC hall as mayor elect: open communication.

Over the course of the last 18 years, I have coached more than 250 leaders and dozens of teams. I have observed leaders in a variety of settings such as in front of large and small groups.

I have been a successful ultra-endurance competitor for most of my life. My athletic success has been an important part of my identity and sense of self.

I think I am a quite successful person. My professional, academic, athletic, and personal achievements make me proud.

Do you want your company’s staff (and your children) to be highly successful? Bet your answer is “Yes, of course!” Who knew it was actually so easy. Simply instill these traits in your employees and children.

An important aspect of my leadership training is watching my clients interact at meetings they lead. This practice is a very effective technique for coaching, and allows me to provide my clients with quick feedback.

Lots has happened since I first reported for my peacekeeping training in Stans/Switzerland at the beginning of January. Time for a quick update.