Wisdom from a galaxy not so far away

You don’t need a lightsaber or a brown robe to think like a Jedi. (Although if you have one, why not wear it? Just don’t try it in a TSA line.)

Jedi thinking isn’t about space wizardry. It’s about focus, clarity, calm under pressure—and not turning into a grumpy cyborg with breathing issues.

In today’s fast-paced, over-scheduled, emotionally-charged world, we could all use a little Jedi mindset. So here are a few timeless, slightly ridiculous, and strangely practical lessons straight from the galaxy far, far away.

1. Master the Mind Trick (on Yourself)
Obi-Wan’s classic line: “These aren’t the droids you’re looking for.”
Translation for today: “This isn’t the drama you need to get pulled into.”
Jedis know the real battle starts in the mind. Reframe the situation. Control the narrative. Talk yourself back into focus. Before you change the world, you’ve got to change your thinking.

2. Don’t Fight Like Anakin (Especially in Meetings)
Anakin had po...

Just finished listening to Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams. It’s not just a story about Facebook—it’s a lesson on leadership, culture, and the loss of trust.

As leaders, we often talk about innovation, growth, and impact. But the core of any lasting organization is culture—and trust. Culture isn’t the slogans on the wall; it’s the lived experience of the people inside. Careless People is a reminder of what happens when trust fractures, when culture becomes misaligned, and when the pursuit of scale overtakes the discipline of stewardship.

This book (for me) isn’t about bashing anyone. It’s a call to attention. A chance for leaders to ask:

• Are we listening to our people?
• Are we building structures that reinforce integrity—or just performance?
• Are we as intentional about maintaining trust as we are about hitting targets?

Wynn-Williams writes with clarity and conviction—not from the outside looking in, but from the inside looking back. Her perspective is rare and valuable....

When Alex Ovechkin tied Wayne Gretzky’s record for most goals, the hockey world erupted.

But behind that milestone wasn’t just one man’s talent—it was a team’s trust. Trainers, coaches, teammates, and staff rallied around Ovechkin, defying skeptics who questioned his comeback after a major injury just months earlier.

When that record-tying shot hit the net, the celebration wasn’t just for Ovechkin—it was for a team that stood by him through every grueling moment. They shared in the pressure. And they shared in the win.

That’s the power of trust.
It fuels resilience. It lifts teams. And it drives greatness.

The Science of Trust: It’s in Your Brain

What made Ovechkin’s team so unshakable?

Trust isn’t just a leadership value—it’s a brain response.

In The Neuroscience of Trust, Paul J. Zak reveals what many leaders miss: when people feel trusted, their brains release oxytocin—a chemical that lowers stress, builds connection, and boosts performance. It’s biology, not buzzwords.

TRUS...

I just released my fifth book in the personal growth and leadership space—Face the Mountain.
In it, I dive into the idea of resilience, breaking it down into what I call the 3Cs: Competence, Courage, and Compassion.

Resilience shows up in different ways, but at the heart of it are these three essential traits:

Competence is about rising to the challenge with skill and preparation.
Courage is the decision to move forward even when fear or uncertainty stands in the way.
Compassion is the strength to care—for others, for purpose, and for something greater than self.

In the stories we watch and the lives we lead, these three traits show us what it means to press on.
When combined, they create a powerful measure of resilience.

But for this post, I want to have a little fun.

I’ve always loved stories of resilience—especially on screen. So I’ve pulled together a list of 25 movies that showcase the 3Cs in action. These are films I return to often. They remind me that no matter the obstacl...

Full Confession: I’m struggling.

I have a new book out, and as is often the case, it’s up to the author to get the word out—through social media, podcasts, blogs, Facebook ads, and more. But here’s the thing: I’m not a fan of self-promotion.

We’re often told that leadership is about multiplying your impact. So naturally, if you’ve poured time and energy into writing a book you believe can add value, you should promote it. I get that. But I also believe there’s got to be a balance.

Leadership isn’t just about multiplying your impact—it’s about multiplying the right kind of impact. That distinction matters.

When leadership is framed solely around “your impact,” it can drift into ego or self-promotion. But true leadership goes further. It’s about:

• Multiplying the impact of others—empowering them to grow, lead, and succeed.

• Multiplying the impact of purpose—advancing a mission greater than yourself.

• Multiplying the impact of values—so what matters most scales alongside r

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Defining Moment

Twice a year, we do something absurd—we mess with time itself. Some dread it, others shrug it off, and a few treat it like a national holiday. My wife and I? We embrace the change, even if it throws us for a loop.

How about you?

Right now, we’re finally on the good side of the time shift—the one where daylight stretches like an open road, wide and waiting. The one where you get home from work and still have time to actually live.

Yes, I’m talking about Daylight Saving Time (DST)—the MVP of clock changes. But DST isn’t the defining moment. It’s just the spark.

By definition, a moment is “a very brief period of time.” We might think changing the clocks is the moment—but it’s not. The real moment is the daylight itself. DST doesn’t just shift the clock; it shifts how much light we get.

That extra hour of afternoon sunlight can be a game-changer—but only if we seize it.

Daylight isn’t just extra time—it’s fuel. It rewires your brain, boosts your energy, and shapes yo...

What is Work? 

Speaker and best selling author Philip McKernan posed a simple yet profound question to those of us in the room at a recent CADRE's YOUniversity event:

What is work?

It’s a question that can feel routine or even rhetorical—until you stop and truly think about it.

For many, work is defined by tasks, deadlines, and paychecks. It’s what fills our calendars, fuels our routines, and keeps the world moving.

But is that really all work is? Or is there something deeper?

Work as a Transaction vs. Work as a Calling 

If work is purely transactional, then it’s just an exchange—time for money, effort for approval, production for reward. But I believe work is more than that. Work is where purpose, perseverance, and innovation meet -- at least for me. It’s the space where we create, build, and contribute. It’s the proving ground for our skills, ideas, and, ultimately, our impact.

When work is seen as a calling, it shifts from obligation to opportunity. It becomes the place wher...

YOU ARE THE TECH

Technology is evolving at an unprecedented pace. AI, simulations, smart devices, and extended reality (XR) are transforming how we work, create, and interact. But here’s the truth: No matter how advanced technology becomes, it still relies on the one thing that makes it matter—YOU.

For years, discussions about innovation have focused on software, silicon, and data—the three pillars driving technological advancement. Yet, something crucial is often overlooked. The most essential element isn’t an algorithm, a processor, or a dataset.

It’s people. It’s YOU. And it’s time to set the record straight.

The Missing 25% - Human Connection

AI may process information, but it lacks instinct.
It generates, but because it lacks the power of imagination, it doesn’t truly create.
It predicts, but it doesn’t decide with empathy and rationality.

That’s where you come in. Technology doesn’t replace people—it amplifies them.

• We are the context.
• We are the decision-makers.
...

“People do not lack strength, they lack will.” — Victor Hugo

If you had to choose between will or strength, which would you choose?

For most of my life, I thought strength was the answer. I remember hearing, "Only the strong survive," and I bought into that idea completely. But if I’m being honest, I’m not sure strength deserves the spotlight. Will is the better trait.

Think about it. The day you were born wasn’t because of strength; it was because of will. Strength is an illusion. Will matters more.

If you want a concrete example:  Check out this video.  I've watched it a 100 times - and it inspires me every time. Will power matters.  And it all comes back to what say often.  "Imagination will either lift you or limit you."  

One of my favorite Bible verses growing up was, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." But over time, I realized this verse is often misunderstood. The Bible actually says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." The fo...

We may have just witnessed one of the greatest victories in NFL history—the Washington Commanders beating the Detroit Lions, the #1 seeded team in the NFL, in the second round of the playoffs 45-31. I can’t help but reflect on how they accomplished it. From a team that managed only four wins last year to now being one win away from the Super Bowl—WOW! Their journey is nothing short of miraculous.

This is a team that defied the odds and silenced the critics.

Think about how they achieved this. It took what I call team strong leadership, which aligns with the ideas I share in my book Breaking Average. In one season, the entire culture of the team and the city has been reignited. This team is like a once-dormant volcano in the midst of erupting.

The Commanders’ season is a masterclass in the power of the VICTORY mindset for any organization. It takes seven critical factors: Vision, Insight, Collaboration, Trust, Ownership, Resilience, and what I call the Yes Factor. Let’s explore how e...