Monthly Archives: December 2019

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Quotes And Leadership Lessons From Spies In Disguise

A Reel Leadership Article

Spies In Disguise is a cute, fun animated movie. Lance Sterling (Will Smith) is a super spy for H.T.U.V. (Honor, Trust, Unity, and Valor). Everyone loves him. He’s the star of the agency. Walter Beckett couldn’t be more different than Lance. Walter (Tom Holland from the latest Spider-Man movies) is a super-nerd and weird. He creates non-lethal weapons under the radar at the spy agency.

When the two meet and Lance accidentally drinks Walter’s “biodynamic concealment” concoction that was supposed to make him invisible. The concoction did, in a sense, make Lance invisible. By drinking the concoction, Lance is turned into a pigeon.

Will Smith and Tom Holland's characters in Spies In Disguise giving one another fist bumps

Pigeons are largely overlooked in society. No one questions why a pigeon may be in the area. It’s there to get food and annoy people, right?!?  Read more...

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Become A Better Delegator

We’re so buried in our daily tasks and what’s coming out way, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. Everything is on your shoulders.

But, did you know, you can take some things off of your shoulders? You can allow other people to help you.

People at a table with notepads

Photo by Dylan Gillis

This is called delegation.

And it is magical.

Delegation allows you to ask for help and give your team members something to do. The delegation of tasks also helps you to “effectively” multiple your working hours.

By giving Bill the authority to create weekly meeting reports, you free up one hour of work you can put towards more meaningful work. Now, if you give your assistant Tina the task of managing your calendar, you can free up another hour.

You can effectively gain back lost hours or create hours in your day by the not-so-simple process of delegation.  Read more...

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How To Be Grateful When Difficulties Come Your Way

Earlier this year, I had a really rough day. It didn’t start that way but it sure ended that way.

Pam and I had returned the day prior from our vacation to St. Ignace, Michigan. We’d spent a wonderful week exploring the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and spending valuable time together. The trip was great.

Woman standing by the beach with closed hands

Photo by Joshua Reddekopp

I was expecting a nice, relaxing day on Sunday as Pam and I would be celebrating her birthday and getting ready to start the next week. Only things didn’t play out the way I expected. Our plans changed because of a car accident.

We’d attended church and were headed home. I was driving the same route I normally take when I saw a dirt bike up ahead. He wasn’t too far away and it looked like he was slowing down and moving to the right shoulder of the road.  Read more...

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Quotes And Leadership Lessons From Star Wars Episode 9: The Rise Of Skywalker

A Reel Leadership Article

This weekend saw the ninth main entry in the original Star Wars movie series. Having spanned more than 40 years, The Rise Of Skywalker closed the book (supposedly) on the story of the Skywalkers.

We’ve seen the good (A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, Return Of The Jedi, and The Force Awakens), the bad (The Phantom Menace, Attack Of The Clones, and Revenge Of The Sith), and the mediocre (The Last Jedi). Sprinkled between the main entries in the Star Wars saga were Solo and Rogue One. And now we have The Rise Of Skywalker.

Rey and Kylo Ren From Star Wars Episode 9

The Rise Of Skywalker is a fitting end to the Star Wars Skywalker saga. It ties up the previous 8 movies with a touching end and a great new start.

There will be haters of The Rise Of Skywalker. There were for the other movies. It’s certain for this one as well.  Read more...

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Will It Ever Be Enough?

As I look back on 2019 and a little further back, I see a lot of accomplishments that I’ve have. They range from running a full marathon to paying off our mortgage 16 years early.

There’s also sponsoring our first World Vision child, Moorosi. Or running my fastest 25K in the Riverbank Run. Or there’s the travel Pam and I have done.

It was a great year. Don’t get me wrong. I’m so happy and excited for the things Pam and I have done in our personal and professional lives.

Yet… there’s something more. There’s this feeling like I’m not doing enough. Or I’m not enough.

Life always feels like there needs to be just a little bit more. Then I’ll have made it. Or then I’ll have everything I’ve ever dreamed of.

Life isn’t that simple.  Read more...