What a Wonderful World by Nikolas Owen (Age 9)

In a step away from leadership.. I was touched this month by my 9 year-old's first public singing performance.. Nikolas is adopted from the country of Lebanon.. my grand parents birth country and well.. I whipped together this quick clip as a tribute to Nik and his birth country.. May we all live in Peace!

Thanks for indulging me this once as I wear the hat of Dad rather than OD Leader....

President Ronald Reagans Speech at Point-du-Hoc, Normandy

One of the greatest speeches on the sacrifice of war! A fitting post for this weekend as we in America reflect on memorial day and on the courage of our men and women who have died in wars. For more videos, go directly to the blog and look for the videos down the right side of the blog.

Leadership Speaker Series: Geoffrey Canada

Geoffrey Canada talks about social change and how he has lead efforts to revitalize communities: Simple concept = Start from birth, Focus on parenting and building leadership among the community. Fix things one block at a time (do everything for that one block) then move on to the next!

Commencement Continuted

2008 Commencement Address by Barbara Kingsolver

The following quote comes from Barbara Kingsolver's speech, titled "How to be Hopeful," given at Duke's 2008 commencement ceremony May 11 at Wallace Wade Stadium. Barbara Kingsolver is a novelist, essayist, non-fiction and short-story writer. An audio version of her speech is available on iTunes.

"The very least you can do in your life is to figure out what you hope for. The most you can do is live inside that hope, running down its hallways, touching the walls on both sides. "

Tom Kelley - Ideo

Excellent Talk about Customer-based Collaborative Innovation

Graduation Speeches

This time of year, all the great leaders get asked to impart on young graduates their wisdom. Here are just a few lessons from two of this year's speakers:

Erskine Bowles, UNC University System President and Former Chief of Staff for President Clinton, shared five principles for success to the graduates of North Carolina State University:

1. Don't promise more than you can deliver.
2. Do quality work in everything you approach (i.e. if it is worth doing, do it right).
3. Don't be afraid of change (i.e. change happens so figure out how to make it work for you).
4. Do your part to add to the "community woodpile" (i.e. have a sense of civic responsibility).
5. Take time for your family.
   
   

Phillip Balley of Earth, Wind, and Fire to the Berkley College of Music:

1. Never lose your creativity.
   
2. Never lose your excitement.
   
3. Never lose your pure love for music.
   

More to come later... Send me good ones you hear as well!

Employee Engagement

This is not an endorsement of McDaniel Partners.. (cause I don't know them), but this is a nice video on employee engagement...

Generation Next -- The Workplace

Roger Terry shared this with me today.. looks like something anyone dealing with Gen X or Y should watch...

Desmond Tutu on Leadership

Excellent Message on self-less leadership!

YOUTUBE EXCLUSIVE: Send me your stereotypes

Queen Rania: What a wonderful example of world leadership...