Monday Security Memo

Intellectual Firepower for Professionals

There is No Tomorrow!

“The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is today."

— Chinese Proverb

Dear A,

I was scrolling YouTube last Thursday when a clip from Rocky III popped into my fe...

Monday Security Memo

Intellectual Firepower for Professionals

Being a Good Boy

“There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind.”

— Fred Rogers (Mister Rogers)

Dear A,

This weekend I asked my thre...

Monday Security Memo

Intellectual Firepower for Professionals

In Memory of a Friend and Mentor

“The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind in others the conviction and the will to carry on.”

— Walter Lippmann

Dear A,

The world lost a great American patriot last week. ...

Monday Security Memo

Intellectual Firepower for Professionals

Autonomy Isn't a Switch. It's a Spectrum

“Everything in war is very simple, but the simplest thing is difficult."

— Carl von Clausewitz

Dear A,

I just returned from a weeklong conference on Clearwater Beach called U...

Monday Security Memo

Intellectual Firepower for Professionals

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."

— African Proverb

Dear A,

I’m writing this on a quiet Sunday night from the JW Marriott on Clearwater Beach. Tomo...

Monday Security Memo

Intellectual Firepower for Professionals

The Floor is Lava (Or Is It?)

“Everything you want is on the other side of fear."

— George Addair

Dear A,

If you have kids, you’ve probably played The Floor Is Lava. I know my three-year-old son loves it.

The ru...

Monday Security Memo

Intellectual Firepower for Professionals

Building Your Professional Gestalt

“One story is an anecdote. A body of work is a reputation."

— Annonymous

Dear A,

Early in my consulting career, I learned a German word that permanently changed how I think about p...

Monday Security Memo

Intellectual Firepower for Professionals

Seasons Greetings (and Happy Festivus) from SMI

“A new holiday was born... a Festivus for the rest of us!”

— Frank Costanza, Seinfeld

Dear A,

As the holiday season hits full operational overload - Hanukkah wrapping ...

Monday Security Memo

Intellectual Firepower for Professionals

Leadership Lessons from "Collateral"

“Someday? Someday my dream will come? One night you’ll wake up and discover it never happened.”

— Vincent, Collateral

Dear A,

One of the most uncomfortable leadership lessons in ...

Monday Security Memo

Intellectual Firepower for Professionals

Jonah Complex: The Fear of Success

“The greatest risk isn't aiming too high and missing... it's aiming too low so you never have to change.”

— Michelangelo

Dear A,

Most people claim they’re afraid of failing. In tru...

Monday Security Memo

Intellectual Firepower for Professionals

Move with Urgency to Win

“Without a sense of urgency, desire loses its value.”

— Jim Rohn

Dear A,

One of the most consistent patterns in success — whether in business, fitness, leadership, or personal growth — is th...

Monday Security Memo

Intellectual Firepower for Professionals

Turkey with a Side of Intellectual Firepower

Dear A,

The Thanksgiving holiday takes place in the United States. It is a day to gather around the dinner table with loved ones and give thanks for all that is good in our...