Celebrate community and tradition...

For over four decades, A Prairie Home Companion has been a cherished part of our lives. We’ve attended productions in person many times, most recently at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Each show is a living tribute to the golden age of radio—complete with singers, storytellers, musicians, and sound effects artists—reminding us of a time when families gathered around the radio to share laughter, music, and stories.

 

The heart of the program lies in its storytelling. Tales of small-town America capture the values of community, simplicity, and connection—where neighbors know one another, children play freely, and life unfolds with both triumphs and foibles in full view. These stories, paired with live music, create a sense of belonging that is rare and deeply meaningful.

 

This year’s Christmas performance was especially memorable. It culminated in nearly forty minutes of seasonal and patriotic songs, with the audience joining in full voice. Without prompting, strangers sang together in harmony, transcending differences and divisions. In that moment, there was no “us and them”—only unity, goodwill, and shared joy.

 

Such experiences remind us of the importance of empathy, friendship, and generosity. They echo the values we strive to uphold in our workplaces and communities: supporting one another, celebrating successes, and extending kindness without restriction.

 

As we move through this holiday season, let us honor these moments of connection. Life is good, friendships are special, and the spirit of togetherness is what makes both our personal and professional lives richer today.

 

 Robert Hunter (1941 – 2019): American lyricist, singer-songwriter, translator and poet, best known for his work with the Grateful Dead where he became friends with musician Jerry Garcia. Hunter and Garcia began a collaboration that lasted through the remainder of Garcia's life.

🎶 Leadership Lessons from the Country Music Hall of Fame...

During a recent visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, I was struck by the institution’s ability to collect, preserve, and interpret the evolving history and traditions of country music. What stood out most was the sense of unity among the artists represented—an unmistakable reminder that they are all in it together.

 

Music, much like sports or the workplace, brings people together in shared pursuits that can be deeply powerful. My own experiences—singing harmonies in a college folk group and motivating service teams in the casino industry—placed me at the center of inspiring others to commit fully to what they were doing. When people are aligned and engaged, the sense of accomplishment is profound.

 

From these experiences emerges a clear leadership lesson: work closely with your team, listen attentively, observe their actions, understand their needs, and engage with them in ways that foster their own engagement. Allow them to experience the results of their efforts firsthand. True leadership is not about standing apart, but about being part of the collective journey. If you are in it, you must be all in.

 

Organizations, like bands or sports teams, do not achieve success on their own. It is the individuals within them who succeed—because they care enough to strive for excellence. As a leader, your role is to instill the tools, values, and inspiration that empower people to want to win. You cannot do the work for them, but you can help them believe in their ability to succeed. When that belief takes hold, they recognize that they are all in it together—and that is when real success happens today.

 

Johnny Cash (1932 – 2003): American singer-songwriter who is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 90 million records worldwide.

Communication isn’t just a "soft skill"...🗣️

The difference between a good manager and a great one is their ability to communicate effectively. 

 

It is how leaders inspire vision, build trust, motivate teams, and drive action; it turns abstract ideas into shared goals, fosters collaboration, resolves conflicts, and creates the vital human connection needed for people to follow and align with an organization's purpose, making it the foundation for everything from setting direction to achieving results. 

 

Key Reasons Communication is Leadership's Language:

·      Vision & Direction: Leaders use communication to articulate a clear vision and the path to achieve it, unifying people around a common purpose.

·      Trust & Credibility: Open, honest, and transparent communication builds trust, making teams more likely to believe in and follow their leader's guidance.

·      Motivation & Inspiration: Effective leaders use words and empathy to inspire passion and commitment, transforming goals into shared beliefs.

·      Collaboration & Alignment: It aligns individuals and teams towards organizational objectives, ensuring everyone understands their role and works together.

·      Connection & Rapport: Meaningful dialogue helps leaders understand their team's needs, fostering engagement and creating stronger human connections.

·      Influence & Change: A leader's language shapes attitudes and actions, making strategic communication a powerful tool for driving positive change.

·      Conflict Resolution: Clear communication is essential for addressing challenges, resolving disagreements, and navigating complex interpersonal dynamics. 

 

In essence, leaders don't just give orders; they use communication to create meaning, build relationships, and guide people toward a desired future, making it their most crucial skill. Make sure you learn how to communicate effectively today.

 

James C. Humes (1934 – 2020): American author and presidential speechwriter.

Great service isn’t luck—it’s built through focus and feedback.

The first F.W. Woolworth store opened in Utica, New York, in 1879. By the time I was growing up there, it had become a full department store—complete with a lunch counter, a record section, and even a pet department featuring dozens of varieties of birds. Riding the bus downtown with friends to have lunch at Woolworth’s was a memorable experience.

What impressed me most was the number of employees, all working together with a singular focus on customer service. That early exposure showed me the power of teamwork in action.

In my career in hospitality, I have learned that the best teamwork occurs when individuals work independently yet in harmony toward a shared goal. This type of collaboration does not happen by chance. Leaders must introduce the concept, train employees to deliver it seamlessly, coach them to perform effectively, and continually monitor progress.

At this stage, effective leaders either recognize employees for doing things right or provide coaching and additional practice to help them meet expectations. Focus and feedback serve as the bookends of effective teamwork. By consistently providing both, leaders create the conditions for exceptional service through teamwork today.

James Cash Penney Jr. (1875 – 1971): American businessman and entrepreneur who founded the JCPenney stores in 1902.

🚀 Growth begins where comfort ends...

📊 In today’s fast-changing workplace, adaptability isn’t just a “soft skill”—it’s a career-defining competency.

Research shows that professionals who embrace change are more resilient, competitive, and successful. In fact, adaptability is now considered one of the most essential skills for long-term career growth, as industries transform through globalization, automation, and shifting expectations.

I experienced this firsthand. As an HR professional with little technical background, I was overwhelmed by paperwork and information overload. Necessity pushed me to adopt digital tools and rethink how I worked. That shift didn’t just improve efficiency—it expanded my professional identity and opened doors I hadn’t imagined.

Leadership frameworks like situational leadership reinforce this lesson. Effective leaders adjust their style to fit the needs of their teams and the demands of the moment. For example, a directive approach may be necessary when guiding inexperienced employees, but as confidence grows, leaders must pivot to a more supportive, hands-off style.

The data is clear:

·       Adaptability drives relevance in rapidly evolving industries.

·       Flexible professionals outperform peers who resist change.

·       Organizations value adaptability as a core competency, not a secondary trait.

💡 The takeaway? Don’t let your past role define your future. Challenge your assumptions, embrace new skills, and stay open to transformation. That’s how professionals remain vital, impactful, and future-ready today.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1933 – 2020): American lawyer and jurist who served as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1993 until her death in 2020. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Bader_Ginsburg

🎯Approach Life’s Challenges Professionally 🚀...

Over the past 16 years, my quotes and messages often have been read quickly, absorbed for a moment, and then set aside. Today’s message, however, deserves deeper consideration.

Take the example of the first female pilot to attempt flying around the world. Success wasn’t simply about taking off; it was the result of extensive preparation. Training, practice, and countless hours of study came long before the flight itself. The lesson is clear: readiness is not about waiting for the “perfect” time, but about preparing thoroughly until you are equipped to act with confidence.

When you have invested the time to study, practice, and anticipate challenges, the next step is decisive action. Hesitation, second-guessing, or searching for excuses only delay progress. The most effective way forward is to begin. If you succeed, excellent. If you fall short, you gain valuable insight to improve the next attempt.

This principle applies directly to leadership. Leaders must engage actively if they want their teams to grow. Difficult conversations with employees are inevitable, and effectiveness in those moments comes from preparation—studying, planning, and practicing your communications and coaching skills. Avoiding them only weakens leadership. The first attempt may be imperfect, but improvement comes through repetition and commitment. That is the hallmark of a professional.

Do not allow fear of the unknown to hold you back. Prepare diligently, practice consistently, and then step forward with conviction today.

Amelia Earhart (1897 – disappeared 1937; declared dead 1939): American aviation pioneer who disappeared over the Pacific Ocean while attempting to become the first female pilot to circumnavigate the world.

Strategy isn’t a luxury... it’s a leadership imperative.

In today’s fast-paced environment, there’s a growing expectation for immediate results. However, sustainable business success is rarely achieved overnight. Just as constructing a building requires a step-by-step process—acquiring land, preparing the site, installing infrastructure, and laying a solid foundation—so too does building a successful organization.

Effective business operations begin with a well-developed and approved plan, secured financing, and the recruitment of the right talent. You can’t serve customers before the groundwork is in place. At every stage, it’s essential to start with a clear vision and to communicate that vision to stakeholders, managers, team members, and target markets. Achieving organizational goals takes time and patience; while you can’t accomplish everything at once, you can always take the first step.

This is why mission, vision, and purpose statements are critical to any business initiative, large or small. Launching a project without these guiding principles is like embarking on a journey without a destination or a map. Your purpose defines why your organization exists, your vision articulates the future you aspire to create, and your mission outlines the strategies and actions that will get you there. Together, these elements form a strategic roadmap for your business. Begin by clarifying these foundational questions to set your organization on the path to success today.

Calvin Coolidge (1872 – 1933): 30th president of the United States, serving from 1923 to 1929. If you think the only think that happened during his presidency was the Crash of 1929 – click here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvin_Coolidge