“How do you amplify gratitude?” I asked this question recently on Twitterand LinkedIn because I believe in the power of gratitude. It’s an essential element of organizations move forward. Gratitude is built into what we do every day, and how we connect with customers, our communities where we live and work, and with each other. […]
Read MoreOne of my favorite parts of American Family’s culture statement comes at the end, when the focus turns to our communities. We are a catalyst for change. So people will say: “This is a better community because American Family is part of it.” As American Family’s United Way campaigns draw to a close, I wasthinking […]
Read MoreWhen I was in college – a few years ago – my main objective was to learn a discipline in four years. Back then, colleges and universities hoped that by teaching all this content, something else would rub off.As students, we were supposed to figure out how to think critically, adapt, question things, become curious. […]
Read MoreI’ve talked a lot about the transformation my company – American Family Insurance – has made. We’ve adapted to changing customer needs with a solid strategy, structure, and mission, vision and values. We’ve expanded our reach through acquisition and mergers. We’ve brought in new leaders and fresh voices. And, we’ve grown … in many ways. […]
Read MoreI was struck recently after reading an article in my local newspaper. Lawmakers had passed a resolution requiring mandatory sexual harassment-prevention training for themselves and their employees. What really stood out was the training would only need to be completed every two years. This strikes me as a check-the-box approach. You know what I mean […]
Read MoreService anniversaries are normally really fun events. They give us a chance to congratulate folks for their efforts over time, reminisce a bit, and even roast colleagues for things we’ve shared over years of working together. I attended one, recognizing a long-term employee’s service to the company. When the usual stuff was over (started on […]
Read MoreKevin Durant is a busy guy. He’s in the middle of a pretty successful NBA season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he’s averaging 28 points and 8-plus rebounds a game. He’s doing great things for local communities through the Kevin Durant Charity Foundation – including making a difference in young people’s lives through health […]
Read MoreAt a recent business luncheon and panel discussion, I heard many of the usual questions asked of a CEO. I gave my usual answers – about my career path, about my company and about how we are changing the face of our organization. Afterwards, a young professional approached me. She was a millennial and wanted […]
Read MoreI appreciate the response my blogs have received – particularly on LinkedIn. The comments from my last post about integrity inspired me to write more on this topic – and to connect to another previous topic: Defining moments. When organizations adapt and change quickly, sometimes the path of least resistance leads you to troubling places. […]
Read MoreIn previous blogs, I’ve talked about a number of leadership traits that anyone – at any level – can emulate. These have included courage, passion, getting comfortable being uncomfortable, finding your voice, and humility. These attributes are meaningless, though, without integrity. In simple terms, integrity means avoiding conflicts of interest, following local and federal laws, […]
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