Feeling Deeply

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear."
(John the Beloved in 1 John 4:18)

Step back, step away, re-create, re-treat, re-new, re-turn.
All the best to you, and see you again in the new year!

Keep It Simple

“I’ve benefited from my Indian background. Growing up in a very simple family with a real passion for hard work. In other words, you never stopped working. You just worked. Work was liberating and work was part of what defined who you were.”

(Ramani Ayer, CEO of the Hartford Financial Services Group, in “Seeking Leaders, U.S. Companies Think Globally.” by Louise Story. The New York Times: December 12, 2007. pg. 1)

Value -- Competence That Is Distinctive

“The real secret of success, in my opinion, is when you are in an environment where there are many people smarter than you. In those situations, it's not about competing with those people, but finding ways to add value while also learning from them…

"If you try to find a unique way of looking at a problem, that's how you can make a difference.”

(Gil Shwed, CEO of Check Point, in “Gil Shwed -- From 'grandmother's apartment' in Israel to a crash course in U.S.-style marketing, Check Point's CEO has learned his lessons well.” by Kevin McLaughlin. CRN: June 25, 2007. , Iss. 1243; pg. 22)

Impersonal, Standardized, Formal Rationality

“The biggest challenge facing business and industry worldwide is the bureaucracy. We have to stop its attempt to take over.”

(Jacques Lamarre, CEO of SNC-Lavalin, in “Jacques Lamarre.” by Thomas Watson. Canadian Business: August 13 – August 27, 2007. Vol. 80, Iss. 16/17; pg. 76)

Understated, Comfortable Confidence

"I’m not an extrovert, I don't relish the idea of pushing myself forward... The culture of the firm is one of getting on and doing things rather than talking about it. We're understated but our customers have the confidence that we'll deliver. I'm very comfortable with that."

(Ian Tyler, CEO of Balfour Beatty, in “Ian Tyler,” by Andrew Saunders. Management Today. London: January 2007. pg. 44)

Sense & Feeling

"The whole thing is about values, a sense of destination, a sense of direction for the company. That's a very powerful method of getting productivity… Then they know what you're trying to do and will be on your side, instead of feeling like you are some distant corporate suit."

(Fred Hassan, CEO of Schering-Plough, in “Being Fred Hassan.” by Joanna Breitstein. Pharmaceutical Executive: October 2007. Vol. 27, Iss. 10; pg. 73)

Be Prepared

“Get out of your comfort zone. Even if it doesn't all work out the way you want it to, you'll be better prepared for the next thing that comes along.”

(Mary Sammons, CEO of Rite Aid, in “Women to Watch (A Special Report); View From the Top: Women executives talk about their careers, the importance of mentoring and work-life balance.” Wall Street Journal: November 19, 2007. pg. R.6)

Temporal Orientation

“When I was 12, a friend of my dad's carved a beautiful Winston Churchill figurine out of wood for me. It's been with me since. Churchill had a real appreciation for the balance between heritage and innovation. There's something to be said for that… There's huge value to our heritage. But it needs to be carefully balanced with innovation -- and not just what is new today, but what will be new in the future.”

(Bob Iger, President and CEO of Walt Disney, in “How I Work.” by Devin Leonard. Fortune: December 10, 2007. Vol. 156, Iss. 12; pg. 38)

Learning by Teaching

"I was the oldest of five children and the only girl. That proved to be relevant to my eventual career because I was always teaching my younger brothers. I think I gained a lot of my leadership skills because of that."

(Patsy Van Ouwerkerk, CEO of Travis Credit Union, in “What She Does Best,” by Diane Franklin. Credit Union Management. Madison: December 2006.Vol.29, Iss. 12; pg. 14)

MBWA

“I'm happiest when I'm in the field. There's no paper, no memos, no time between idea and implementation. I accomplish more.”

(Ian Schrager, Chairman and CEO of Ian Schrager Co., in “The King of Cool.” by Eugenia Levenson. Fortune: November 26, 2007. Vol. 156, Iss. 11; pg. 44)