Innovation Has Always Been a Team Sport...

Innovation has never been a solo act. Nearly 400,000 years ago, early humans in England learned to strike flint against iron pyrite to create sparks. It wasn’t instant brilliance. It was trial and error, shared frustration, shared discovery, and—most importantly—shared effort. That same dynamic still fuels every breakthrough today.

As leaders, we know that communication is the oxygen of innovation. The most successful teams don’t just exchange information; they engage in:

·      Open brainstorming to explore possibilities

·      Clear conversations to define roles and responsibilities

·     Collaborative planning to align on direction

·    Real‑time debate to refine ideas

·    Honest debriefs to learn, adjust, and grow

Whether you lead a large division or a small team, your role is pivotal in setting the tone for these conversations. Some teams need structured guidance; others thrive with more autonomy. But all teams—without exception—need clarity, connection, and a shared commitment to communicate.

Innovation rarely comes from one person working alone. It comes from people who choose to work together with intention. It comes from teams who agree on how they’ll collaborate, how they’ll make decisions, and how they’ll keep communication flowing even when the work gets messy.

Just like those early fire‑starters, our greatest sparks come from partnership. As you guide your teams, encourage them to lean into one another, to share ideas freely, and to embrace the creative friction that leads to real progress today.

Louisa May Alcott: (1832 – 1888) was an American novelist, short story writer, and poet best known for writing the novel Little Women and its sequels Good Wives, Little Men, and Jo's Boys.

🚀 Leadership Starts With Ownership. Success Starts With Your Team. 🙌

Eisenhower’s quote is a principle that remains essential at every level of leadership — from the C‑suite to frontline management.

Organizations succeed when people understand what needs to be done and are empowered to do it. They struggle when leaders fail to plan effectively, communicate clearly, or delegate with intention. Not always, but often enough that leadership must be treated as a discipline, not an instinct.

What effective leaders at every level must master:

·       Clear vision and direction: Leaders must understand where the organization is headed, build on its strengths, and anticipate or mitigate its weaknesses.

·       Consistent communication: Leaders must articulate the vision, explain the strategy, and ensure alignment across teams and functions.

·       Defined roles and empowered execution: Leaders must clarify responsibilities, remove obstacles, and trust people to act with autonomy and accountability.

These fundamentals sound simple, yet many leaders only learn them through trial and error. Coaching, mentorship, and intentional development accelerate that learning — and help leaders internalize Eisenhower’s principle: take responsibility for failures and give credit for successes. This mindset builds trust, loyalty, and a culture where people are motivated to perform at their best.

As the year winds down and you consider your goals for the year ahead, reflect on how you plan, communicate, and delegate. Whether you lead a division or a team of five, strengthening these capabilities will elevate your impact and the performance of those you lead. Leadership growth is a choice — and the responsibility to pursue it begins today.

Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890 – 1969): American five-star General of the Army34th, Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary force in Europe during WWII, and President of the United States (1953-1961). 

Merry Christmas☀️🎅

Christmas doesn’t have to be grand gestures or cinematic moments. Sometimes the “little something extra” is:

·       a kind word you didn’t have to say

·       a moment of patience you choose to give

·       a small act of generosity that ripples farther than you realize

Those little choices can shift someone’s whole day.

If you’re feeling inspired, you could:

·       send a quick message to someone who’s been on your mind

·       offer a bit of help to someone who’s overwhelmed

·       give a compliment that feels oddly overdue

·       or share a moment of genuine attention

It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just should be real. Go ahead: do a little something extra for someone today.

Charles Schulz (1922 – 2000): American cartoonist who created the comic strip Peanuts, featuring the characters Charlie Brown and Snoopy.

Kindness doesn’t require translation 💬❤️ ...

Everywhere we went this season, the spirit of Christmas was unmistakable. During recent travels to Nashville, Tennessee, and Asheville, North Carolina, we were met with holiday cheer at every turn — in airports, restaurants, music halls, gift shops, and even gas stations. “Merry Christmas” flowed naturally from friends and strangers alike. Decorations, music, and goodwill created an atmosphere where, for a moment, nothing else seemed to matter. Christmas, after all, is more than a season; it’s a feeling.

At home, we keep a basket of snacks and water by the door for the many delivery drivers who help make the holidays possible. When a package arrived last night, I invited the driver to take something from the basket. He didn’t seem to understand my words, but he offered a warm smile and wished me a Merry Christmas. It was a simple exchange, yet a reminder that kindness is a universal language.

Years ago, when I first joined the Golden Nugget, I was asked to form an employee choir to perform throughout the hotel during the weeks leading up to Christmas. Employees from every department and background came together, singing as though they had known one another for years. The sense of unity and shared purpose was unmistakable. It brought us — and those we sang for — together in a way that still resonates with me after all these years.

Christmas isn’t just a holiday — it’s a way of showing up for each other.  Let’s carry that forward today.

 

Edna Ferber (1885 – 1968): American novelist, short story writer and playwright.

🌱 Excellence Is Intrinsic: it can’t be forced; it must be sparked 🔥

Anything great that people accomplish begins with their own desire to excel. Training can build competence and experience can prepare employees for their responsibilities, but exceptional performance is ultimately driven from within. Workplace culture can inspire, and teamwork can support, but the true drive for excellence is personal.

 

Leaders provide the vision that defines organizational goals, and HR creates the systems that support development and motivation. Yet it is the front-line managers who play the critical role of coaching, guiding, and inspiring employees every day. When these elements align, micromanagement becomes unnecessary — excellence emerges naturally from employees who bring skill, optimism, flexibility, resilience, and grit to their work.

 

Leaders can create an environment that encourages excellence, but they cannot demand it. They can build systems that point employees toward success, but they cannot force motivation. Effective leadership recognizes that motivation is the art of getting people to do what needs to be done because they want to do it.

 

The hard-driving, command-and-control leaders of the past must give way to visionary, empathetic leaders who guide rather than push, support rather than criticize, and coach rather than command. The workplace continues to evolve with each new generation, and leadership must evolve with it to bring out the best in their workforce today.

 

Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower[a] (1890 – 1969): American 5-Star Army General, Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces in WWII, and 34th president of the United States. 

Happy winter solstice, it only gets brighter from here...

The Winter Solstice — the shortest day and longest night of the year — marks the symbolic rebirth of the sun. Paired with the approaching New Year, it offers a natural moment for reflection and a meaningful turning point in the calendar. These transitions often prompt us not only to look back, but also to consider how we might grow in the months ahead.

As a child, I remember walking home from school in the fading twilight, watching snowflakes shimmer under the streetlights, and imagining the life that awaited me. I never would have predicted that I’d one day live in Las Vegas or work in a casino, yet in hindsight, both now feel like logical milestones along my path. It has truly been a long, strange trip.

I’ve always enjoyed coaching young people as they begin exploring career possibilities. I encourage them to learn as much as they can about the companies they’re interested in — context helps them make informed decisions. For those considering a career change, I often remind them that the best job is sometimes the one they already have; the challenge is learning how to make it the one they love. In both cases, it’s impossible to know exactly where the journey will lead, but it’s remarkable to look back and see how far you’ve come.

This season is an ideal time to reflect on where you’ve been, envision where you’d like to go, and consider who you want to become. With the days now growing longer, there’s a renewed opportunity to begin meaningful work — starting today.

Robert Hunter (1941 – 2019): American lyricist, singer-songwriter, translator, and poet, best known for his work with the Grateful Dead. This is from their song “Truckin”.

Teamwork isn’t just about getting the job done - it’s about learning skills that make life better. 🚀

I love working in teams – it’s more fun, keeps me focused, sparks creativity, and helps balance the natural ups and downs of the workday. The best part: teamwork teaches us a “better way to live” by developing essential life skills:

• Handling pressure with resilience
• Improving communication across diverse perspectives
• Building empathy and understanding
• Fostering shared purpose and belonging

These skills translate into stronger relationships, more effective problem-solving, and greater adaptability in every aspect of life. A collaborative environment nurtures accountability, support, and unity — reducing stress while promoting growth.

Whether in an office or working virtually, people must interact with others. Effective leaders recognize this and actively engage with their teams to maximize collaboration.

• By communicating how teams work, employees better understand the benefits of collaboration.
• By coaching employees to get the most out of teamwork, leaders shape stronger interactions.
• By highlighting how collaboration benefits life beyond work, leaders help employees become more well-rounded individuals.

Don’t leave teamwork to chance — plan it, nurture it, and maximize it. When leaders invest in collaboration, they’re not just building better teams; they’re helping people discover a better way to live today.

Freeman Dyson (1923 – 2020): British-American theoretical physicist and mathematician.