Paul and Rick crack open the top books on leadership and life. For this episode, we explore Brené Brown''s magnum opus on leadership, "Dare to Lead". Specifically, we explore the TEN BEHAVIORS and CULTURAL ISSUES that get in the way of leaders and organizations.  

Paul and Rick crack open the top books on leadership and life. For this week's episode, we explore four elements that can help you move from strategy to EXECUTION.

I grew up going to church. Every Sunday and frequently on Wednesday it seems my family was always there in the building.  Can I be honest?  Most of the time I didn't want to be there.

I was a fidgety kid.  I remember sitting in the Church pew hearing more prayers than I can count. Some were simple and profound.  Touching and real.  But most were just long drawn out speeches trying to influence God -- and all those listening.  It was a sales pitch usually combined with an alter call.  That was my perception of prayer.

What’s interesting is that despite all my years of going to church and "being" in church, rarely did anyone talk about WHAT prayer really is.  It was if they assumed you just knew.

Sure, we heard the Lord’s prayer, and I was even taught how to pray. That is really important, but what about understanding what prayer really is?  Not necessarily the why - but the...

Paul and Rick crack open the top books on leadership and life. For this week's episode, we uncap the psychology of PERSUASION as we explore Robert Cialdini's breakthrough book "Influence."

My colleague and friend Joe Caliri, who is the President for us at SimVentions, and has a passion for others, asked me about a year ago to write a guest blog post.  I came across it recently, and thought I'd share it with you. It offers a glimpse of what the company we get to work for is all about.  Enjoy! 

 How to be Extraordinary 

• Walt Disney 
• Jesse Owens 
• Wilbur and Orville Wright  
• Mother Teressa  
• Oprah Winfrey 
• Neil Armstrong 
• Michael Jordan 

When you see these list of names, you might think greatness. After all, their accomplishments and achievements are pretty significant, aren’t they? 

The truth is they had their doubts, their challenges, and their frustrations.  They were like anyone else.  Yet, despite the odds, they rose above the fray and left their mark on the world. 

Story after story – going back to...

Paul and Rick crack open the top books on leadership and life. For this week's episode, we unpack the landmark book from best-selling author Daniel Pink - To Sell is Human. Learn the new ABCs of sales and marketing. And discover the power of MOVING people.

I will never forget the day.  My freshmen year of college, one of my required classes was English Literature.  Honestly, I was less than thrilled.  English Lit was not on my bucket list.

It was a cold afternoon in Ohio and I hustled from my dorm to beat the train going through the campus.  I arrived early enough to find a good seat at the "back" of the room.  (Yes, that's right, in those days I was a back seater student. The last thing I wanted was to get stuck in the front :-) 

The professor walked in a few minutes late, cooly strolling in wearing a tweed jacket  looking a lot like Jack Black would today. 

In a passionate voice he introduced himself glancing at his new students in the room.  "Welcome everyone! I am your Professor, Dr. Davis. But rather than thinking of me as yet another teacher, think of me as a GUIDE on your journey." 

I looked around the room to see...

 Paul and Rick crack open the top books on leadership and life. For this week's episode the book in the spotlight is a class, "Good to Great", written by best selling author Jim Collins. You don't want to miss this episode, and the power of a mentor leader.

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...

Paul and Rick crack open the top books on leadership and life. For this week's episode the book in the spotlight is "The Mentor Leader", written by NFL Hall of Fame Coach, Tony Dungy. You don't want to miss this episode, and the power of a mentor leader.