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

The world lost a great American patriot last week. Leo “The God...

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

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

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

I’m writing this on a quiet Sunday night from the JW Marriott on Clearwater Beach. Tomorrow, I’ll s...

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

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

The rules are simp...

Monday Security Memo

Intellectual Firepower for Professionals

Building Your Professional Gestalt

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

— Annonymous

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

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

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

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

One of the most uncomfortable leadership lessons in film happens...

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

Most people claim they’re afraid of failing. In truth, many are...

Monday Security Memo

Intellectual Firepower for Professionals

Move with Urgency to Win

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

— Jim Rohn

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

Monday Security Memo

Intellectual Firepower for Professionals

Turkey with a Side of Intellectual Firepower

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 lives (and ...

Monday Security Memo

Intellectual Firepower for Professionals

“You don't understand the strength of a team until you are pushed beyond your limits.”

— Gene Kranz

When an oxygen tank exploded aboard Apollo 13 on April 13, 1970, 200,000 miles from Earth, the three astronauts aboard —...

Monday Security Memo

Intellectual Firepower for Professionals

Endure It... Stop Complaining

“If it is endurable, then endure it. Stop complaining. The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.”

— Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

Life is not fair. It...