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....

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

  ...

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...

This past week Barry Smith and Paul Gustavson had a chance to talk about the importance of Boundaries for Leaders.  Let's face it, we get distracted.  In all the noise it can be hard to lead.  The noises come from external voices all around us, but also our own internal thoughts too.

Almost ten years ago, best-selling author and psychologist Dr. Henry Cloud wrote a revolutionary book that is still one of the top leadership reads.  He talked about the importance Attending to What Matters, Inhibiting what doesn't matter, and Maintaining Your Working Memory. 

Paul and Barry talk about some of these ideas on their recent podcast, which you can watch on YouTube or listen to wherever you go to find Top Podcasts.

Paul also shared from his new book a filter tool to help you manage the distractions.  Here's the graphic he described.

The video below reflects the discussion that Paul and Barry had on the show.  Enjoy! Let us know what you think by commenting below.

There is a great scene in the movie Remember the Titans where two teammates are in a huge disagreement. The Captain, Gary Bertier is arguing one point, and Julius Campbell counters with points of his own.  After hearing his argument, Bertier tells Julius, "that's the worst attitude I have ever heard.  Julius responds candidly.  "Attitude Reflects Leadership, Captain."  

It turns out to be a powerful pivot in the movie.  And from that conflict you begin to see an attitude shift in both these leaders that, in turn, changes the character for themselves and the whole team!

Attitude is without a doubt is a difference maker.  I truly believe it.  I could spin a whole blog to share my personal thoughts on it.  But today, I thought why not just share what I think are the 12 greatest attitude quotes of all time.   I hope these 12 quotes impact you as much as they have me.  Enjoy!

(1) "Our attitude toward life determines life’s attitude towards us." – John Mitchell

(2) "The only disability i...

Words matter. Words can either breath life, or tear us down. One of the more powerful words ever spoken was an excerpt from a Teddy Roosevelt speech titled Citizenship in a Republic that he gave in Paris, France in April 1910.

Perhaps you are familiar with it. Even if it is, I encourage you to read it again as if it’s the first time.

"It is not the critic who counts;
it’s not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles
or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena,
whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood;
who strives valiantly;
who errs, who comes short again and again,
because there is no effort without error and shortcoming;

but who does actually strive to do the deeds;
who knows great enthusiasms,
the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause;
who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement,
and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly,

so that h...

On the Breaking Average Podcast, we unpack a revolutionary book that has more impact now, then when it was first written.  It's Simon Sinek's book Leaders Eat Last. 

Join Paul and Rick as they share great insights from this book.  Also included below are some helpful resources to further unpack the book and podcast.   

We encourage to check out all the resources and online classes that Simon and his team offer by visiting their web site at SimonSinek.com.

We have a few resources inspired from the book that are highlighted below to help you unpack this even further.

This first view  reflects the goals of a good leader.   The desire is to create a circle a circle of safety with those in our care.  This is important component to breaking averaging.

This next view gives you a glimpse of the power of our neurotransmitters in creating this "circle of safety."   What we need to watch for our is the Cortisol, and over stimulation from Dopamine.  But keep in mind the healthy transmitters ...

Paul and Rick crack open the top books on leadership and life on the Breaking Average Podcast. For this week's episode the book in the spotlight is a classic, "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" written by the legendary Steven Covey

You're going to love this episode. 

It's been 10 years since we lost a great one.   Someone who has impact the lives of almost everyone of us -- and this is true whether you are an apple fan or not.