Leadership Reflections From The Amway River Bank Run 2023

I participated in the Amway River Bank 25K run this past Sunday. It’s an annual event that was started in 1978. The race, a 15.5-mile stroll through downtown Grand Rapids and more, is one of scenic beauty. You run past the John Ball Park Zoo, along the river bank, and back into the city. Every part of the run can take your breath away.

Over the years, the sponsors have changed. It started as the Old Kent River Bank Run, transitioned into the Fifth Third River Bank Run, and is now the Amway River Bank Run. There’s a lot of history in the race and people are proud.

Something unique about the race is the distance. You hear about 5k, 10k, half marathon, and full marathon but the 25k is an elusive distance. It’s one that brings in runners from all across the country. Over 10,000 people ran in this race. It’s quite the experience to run with that many people!

Quotes And Leadership Lessons From Finch

A Reel Leadership Article

My latest book, Reel Leadership, is now available on Amazon. If you love movies and leadership, you will love this book.

Finch is a film starring Tom Hanks and showing exclusively on Apple TV+. The film is a survival film set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland.

While I wasn’t expecting an emotional joyride, Director Miguel Sapochnik and writers Craig Luck and Ivor Powell pulled off an emotional ride. The story hinges on Finch’s (Hanks) journey to find someone to care for his dog, Goodyear, when he passes.

Tom Hanks as Finch in Finch the movie. Jeff the robot behind him

Finch is ill. He knows he doesn’t have long to live. So, he does what he can do and builds a robot companion, Jeff (Caleb Landry Jones), to care for the dog when Finch passes. The connection formed between the threesome is heartwarming and touching. As a dog lover, I completely understood Finch’s desire to see his beloved pet cared for after his death.

Quotes And Leadership Lessons From Aladdin

A Reel Leadership Article

I can show you the world Shining, shimmering splendid Tell me, princess, now when did You last let your heart decide? These lyrics defined a generation much like “Do you want to build a snowman? Or ride our bike around the halls? I think some company is overdue I’ve started talking to The pictures on the walls!” from Frozen has defined the current generation for many young people.

I remember when the animated version of Aladdin was released in 1992. The animation was stunning. The story was engaging. And the music was top notch.

Aladdin, Jasmine, and Genie from live action Aladdin

There were few people who didn’t fall in love with Aladdin at this time. Now, it’s time for a whole new generation to fall in love with the Aladdin story in a whole new way.

Experience Isn’t Everything

Longtime readers of my website know I have a love of ice climbing. Attempting to climb frozen waterfalls on a chilly day, what could be better? Nothing, in my opinion but yours may differ.

Climbing a waterfall in Houghton, Michigan

Image by Rick Elrod

I’ve been climbing every year for the last 6 years. Every year, I feel challenged and invigorated. This year was a little different.

Meet The Experienced Climbers

That’d be me. And a guy named Jason. We’ve been on multiple ice climbing trips over the years. Every year we see improvement in our climbing.

We’ll try to tackle climbs that are 60, 100, or 150 feet high. Vertical, inverted, traversing… We’ll try them and typically conquer them.

The challenge of climbing these ice formations are a blast. They also take a toll. Especially as we get older.

Quotes And Leadership Lessons From Ant-Man And The Wasp

A Reel Leadership Article

Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly return in the 20th Marvel Cinematic Universe movie Ant-Man And The Wasp. In this outing, The Wasp (played by Evangeline Lilly) and her father Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) are in search of Janet Van Dyne (the original Wasp portrayed by Michelle Pfeiffer), their mother/wife.

What Ant-Man and the Wasp can teach you about leadership

Their search began anew when Scott Lang (Ant-Man) returned from the Quantum Realm, a feat thought impossible. Janet had been trapped in the Quantum Realm for 30 years. They now had the hope she could be alive.

During their search, they run across new threats including a black market arms dealer named Sonny Burch (Walton Goggins) and Ghost/Ava Starr (Hannah John-Kamen). These threats hamper their rescue efforts and create fun action scenes you’ll love to watch.