Tag Archives: leadership

Avoiding the Dust Storms

Zero Visibility Possible

 “Zero Visibility Possible” –  Road sign in New Mexico

Have you ever seen this road sign, or one like it? It’s a road sign from a state highway in New Mexico, one of several that alert drivers in that state to the dangers that occur when a severe dust storm occurs. Scary when you think about it – driving conditions so poor that there is literally zero visibility.

This is a driver’s worst nightmare – and gives cause to the term ‘driving blind’. No idea what lies ahead, and perhaps even more fear of what may come up from behind. Just the thought sends goose bumps up my back. 

For grins, I ‘Googled’ what to do when driving in a dust storm. As you would guess, advice all points to one logical approach: pull over, stop the car, and wait it out. The storm will eventually pass. Or at least you hope so, right?

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Change the Reality of Perception

“That’s not how I said it!” – Amanda Wright, my daughter

If you haven’t noticed by now, there is a growing trend in using my daughter’s quotes for my message inspiration.  In many cases, her age and maturity provides us clarity to see through the fog of our own experiences.  In other cases, that same age and immaturity highlight the importance of learning from past experiences to become a better person, a better leader.

This week’s message is one based on the latter.  An opportunity to learn from wisdom not always gained at her age and inexperience.  But sadly so, a lesson so often missed by us – who can’t blame ignorance on a lack of age or experiences.  Read on and see if you agree. Continue reading →

The Most Important Member of the Team is the Team

“No one person, no one alliance, no one nation, no one of us is as smart as all of us thinking together.” – Admiral James Stavridis (Ret), US Navy, and former Supreme Allied Commander Europe

“[In medicine,] we have trained, hired and rewarded people to be cowboys, but it’s pit crews that we need.” – Atul Gawande, author of ‘How Do We Heal Medicine?’

“A group becomes a team when each member is sure enough of himself and his contribution to praise the skills of the others.” – Norman Shidle

You may recall from my last message two weeks ago that my father was involved in a motorcycle accident and suffered a serious brain injury.  Fortunately the EMT’s identified the signs of injury quickly enough and had him airlifted from the scene of the accident to the nearest trauma center – San Antonio Military Medical Hospital (SAMMC).   It is there I spent a week in the ICU unit watching over my father’s recovery.  It is there I watched his strength, courage, and dogged determinism turn the situation from a tragedy into a miracle in the making.