Author: Eric

This is a great piece on leading creative people. Link:http://www.pfdf.org/leaderbooks/l2l/spring2001/depree.html

If you’re a creative person you’ll feel true validation from Max.

I have a friend who often tells me she’s doing well in the things that matter.  For context purposes you need to know that she’s a recovering "control freak."  I should know because I am as well.

Sometimes feeling the need for control is a good thing.  Needing control is the first step in living a "short list" life.  Eventually, you come to a point in life where you realize that you don’t have control.  Life becomes very refreshing when you know that only a few things matter.

If you’re a control freak, God might be "tapping" you on the shoulder.  He might be trying to get you to see life as it really is.  Life is a short list…

Wanted to let everyone know that the first wave of "e-queries" are complete.  I received a positive response from two (major publisher and an agent), and as I’m sure you can imagine that’s encouraging.

Much work still to be done…

My prayers go out to those impacted by Katrina.

I hope you will pray…and give http://www.redcross.org/.

One of the most important areas of growth to focus on is getting comfortable with power.  As in most parts of the business landscape, power is ignored until it’s abused.  If you’re smart, you’ll get comfortable with power before it owns you.  Check out "Leadership on the Line by Ron Heifetz and Marty Linsky.  It addresses many power issues in a "real world" way.

Power can be a tremendous tool to help people an organizations.  It also has the power to hurt as well.  Consider the exploits, most recently, with Mass Mutual as they navigate through multiple scandals. 

Here is a brief list of tips as you seek to "get comfortable" with power:

1. Get a mentor.  I say this a lot, but it one of the most important tools in keeping your feet on the ground.
2. Do the work you love.  Most issuses (negative) with power come from the "working dead."
3. Read "Authentic Leadership" by Bill George.  He is the former Chairman and CEO of Medtronic.
4. Remember we’re here to serve.  If you use power to serve, you’ll be fine.

Spent some time tonight participating in a panel discussion around youth development.  The Q & A was an engagement between the panel and a group of twenty-five young people.

The students were fairly quiet, but the opportunity to speak to their future was a thrill.  I only regret not having more time with them.

The new issue of Fortune has a reprint of Steve Jobs’ commencement speech at Stanford.  You owe to yourself to pick it up and read it!  He definitely speaks to the future.

I’m a believer in innovation!  It will keep you "alive" and fresh.

Check out today’s First Impression on Fast Company’s site. Link: http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/58/lutz.html 

The article is from 2002, but timely just the same.

The Epic Living seminars will be "kicked off" in early October.  The seminars will introduce people to the idea of Epic Living and give them a taste of some of our development modules.

Call or e-mail with interest.

Do you work for a "manic" leader?  No offense meant for those that suffer from any manic diseases.  But I’m speaking of leaders that influence through manic types of behavior.  I know a friend who is suffering through this, and he’s not happy.  The story he tells is one of erratic and irrational proportions.  Sadly, it appears (as far as he can tell) that his organization is hiding.  Avoiding may be the better term.

Organizations that allow the manic leaders to continue their abusive ways, invite the doom of extinction.

With so many past examples of the damage, you’d think we’d learn.  But it appears the dysfunction goes on.

I hope my friend will go live his dreams.

Checkout Seth Godin’s weblog (www.sethgodin.com).  You’ll need to click on his head to get there, but he has a post titled "Clueless."  The post nails why being average is dangerous.