Good morning, Team!  It’s Friday!

(Note: for all the ultra literal reading this post the second I publish it and saying, No, it’s Thursday night!  Allow me to explain my thinking…

I enjoy the tag line from (the former) Paul Harvey’s morning radio show even though I have a Team, he had America’s ear.

If I set a standard to publish “by Friday morning” I will catch my friends in Cincinnati when they wake up at 4 am ET, my esteemed former colleagues in all time zones, my friends, family and coworkers on the day and it will be there Saturday morning when my siblings catch up.  It’s meant to provoke thought and carry you across the finish line Friday and into the weekend.)

So I’m watching a few minutes of “No Reservation”-Bourdain stuff and he’s in the Caribbean.  He said something like if you’re rushing around trying to do this or that, than you’re missing the point.  In other words, you’re in the Caribbean, enjoy the relaxation, the food, the peace and quiet…pull up a hammock and swing in the ocean breeze.  For a New Yorker, typically wound tight and seldom willing to relax, that’s saying something.

How else does this apply?

For leadership, if you’ve made it to the room where the decisions are being made; pay attention, speak up AND listen actively.  Don’t be intimidated and don’t be intimidating.  Don’t be an asshole.  Make the best decisions with the information you have at the time, go forth and execute.  That’s what leaders do.

For family, if you work to provide, whether you’re bringing home the bacon or fryin’ it up (or both) Great!…but don’t forget who you’re providing for.  Compelling issues can distract the best of us from our real job.  Don’t get caught up in the game so badly you forget what winning means.

Have a blessed weekend and a safe Independence Day celebration!  We live in the greatest country on the planet, live up to your potential since most of the barriers to prosperity have already been removed.