As we dig and build out our visions using the various tool belts at our disposal, it's important to feed the engine that drives it all. What

Virtue: behavior showing high moral standards. synonyms: goodness, virtuousness, righteousness, morality, ethicalness, uprightness How often do you consider virtue in your leadership role or organization? Not a lot? Let's talk about how it can actually build up the core strength of your culture by intentionally giving it a home. I'll be revisiting the various virtues and their application overtime but for now I'd like to give a broad overview for you to consider beyond your o

The 3Tips Series continues with financial planner, firefighter, and fellow former Disney cast member, Greg Smith. Greg joined me over good Mexican food and cerveza for a conversation about what tips he would share to leaders getting up and at it. As a go-getter himself, Greg provides some excellent tips to ground yourself with as a leader. Consider applying these to your routine. Here is what he had to say… 1. Be mindful with your time. “Success does not sleep. When you look

I was talking to someone last week about the type of person they wanted to be, he told me that he wanted to be the kind of man that runs towards the fire, not away from it. That really resonated with me in today's climate. That's a rare person indeed. Of course we all imagine ourselves the hero but when the flames are pouring out of a window, are we that person? I'd like to think I am too. I was driving down the 33 a while back and I saw a house bellowing smoke off of one of

I love learning from people in action. It inspires me to be better when people are out there killing it, doing what they do best. I sat down with Director of Youth Ministry and entrepreneur, Lydia Zielinski, over a good cup of coffee to talk shop. Lydia and I travelled to Poland a few years ago along with a contingent from Buffalo for World Youth Day. I really noticed her emerging leadership skills as she navigated her group through the rigors of pilgrimage. As a leader worki

Burnout is a very real scenario for leaders and if you don't manage and deal with it, it can make your life toxic. When you find yourself really draggin', you need to ask yourself why so you can get back to being that fire breathing dragon you are. You know the feeling of being unmotivated, unproductive, on edge, dried up, desolate, etc. etc. We've all been there. There is a difference between the "I've been up all night," to the "My soul has seized up". That's burnout. It's

"Without structure, you invite anarchy” I sat down with Tom Ahearn, an active member of St. Greg's parish, for a cup of coffee and conversation about discipline in his life. There are a few things you need to know about Tom. Tom is a solid guy. Physically and spiritually. Shaking his hand can be compared to grabbing a bear paw. As a retired corrections officer, he still has the means to flip you upside down. Instead, he uses his heart to make a difference in people's lives. A

I had a phone interview with Paul one evening back in March in the midst of my Exodus journey. Paul has been a part of our family for twenty years, recently celebrating his twentieth anniversary to my cousin Jenny. Some would call him a Legend. I wanted to talk to Paul about discipline because he is a man who carries a lot of responsibilities on his shoulders; A man of God, a husband, a father, a younger grandfather, a high-level leader at a renowned hotel in Pittsburg, a mis

It's been three months since we completed Exodus 90, the length it took to go through it. My intention was to write more through the experience. However I hit a wall hard. I had to dig deep about half way through to stay on task and some things dropped. The Exodus disciplines, grinding through work, challenges raising a toddler, and finishing writing a book drained me out. I made it to the finish line but the intensity fried me out. In someways it reminded me of a long term T

I sat down with Jeremy Dolph on February 12 to discuss how he applies discipline in his life. As a new husband and leader as the Director of Youth Ministry at Sts. Peter & Paul in Hamburg, NY, Jeremy provides a perspective that is both relatable and fresh. When I first put the call out to interview people with something to say about the topic, he said, "If you're looking to interview someone who's considering Exodus 90, but who is also a huge chicken and scared of it... let m

We are over a 1/3 of the way through Exodus 90 and it has been a difficult journey through the desert for the guys. We've been shedding the distractions and toxins in our life and that doesn't come without a cost. I noticed early that taking sugar out of my life was much more of a challenge than I thought it would be. Wasn't expecting that all. I see sweets and all of a sudden I'm jonesin' for it. While prepared for temptations, that was least expected. I've resisted. I also

I've been working over the past several years on my self-discipline. I heard a talk years ago at one of the Franciscan U. conferences about building discipline in your life. Being painfully unstructured in my early 20's, I heard that as a call to arms. It was already a hunger but I didn't know how to put it into words or action. The speaker, ex-military, spoke of starting your day off right by making your bed well. Every single day. Even days you just don't feel like doing it

At age 10, my brother and I wanted new bikes. My dad said we could earn our way to one, so he fronted us a few cases of pop and dropped us off at a golf course to sell them 75¢ a can. Being little kids, most of the golfers had us keep the buck. We smoozed, we earned. I still have that bike, worse for the wear, but still have it. At age 17, I needed money for prom and didn't have a job. So a buddy and I started a lawn mowing business in the neighborhood, charging $10 a lawn, s