Category Archives: Leadership

My Left Hand

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Al Watts

This article is brought to you by my left hand (I’m right-handed) – courtesy of a torn rotator cuff and surgery a few weeks ago.  I am a firm believer that almost any hardship, unfamiliar situation or adventure offers lessons … Continue reading →

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How Penn State Fumbled

Posted on November 11, 2011 by Al Watts

It is sadly ironic that Penn State University and its leaders, concerned as they were about legacy, will perhaps best be known for their failures.  Over fifteen years, at least eight young boys were molested, some at Penn State’s athletic … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Ethics, Integrity, Leadership, Performance, Values | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Random Acts of Kindness

Posted on October 14, 2011 by Al Watts

Can you remember the last time you were the beneficiary of a “random act of kindness” – an unsolicited, totally unexpected kind act from a stranger?  How did you feel, and how did that affect the course of your day?  … Continue reading →

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Lines and Ropes

Posted on September 13, 2011 by Al Watts

“What’s the difference between a line and a rope?”  That is one of my favorite questions to ask new LOON crew members.  The answer is that a rope just sits there, with no purpose or use yet, like a pile … Continue reading →

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It’s The Journey, Not Just The Destination

Posted on August 11, 2011 by Al Watts

I just returned from ten days sailing Lake Superior.  After crossing from Bayfield to Grand Marais, our plan was to take three or four days circumnavigating Isle Royale, one of my favorite destinations.  Five miles outside of Grand Marais’ harbor … Continue reading →

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Lessons From News of the World

Posted on July 8, 2011 by Al Watts

Rupert Murdoch pulled the plug on NEWS OF THE WORLD, Britain’s nearly 170-year-old tabloid journal, in the wake of its unethical and illegal phone hacking practices.  As I heard that, I couldn’t help thinking of the analogy about “closing barn … Continue reading →

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Authenticity and the Test of Time

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Al Watts

My wife and I recently had the pleasure of visiting our daughter Alison in China, where she has been living and working for eight months.  There is enough about that adventure to fill a few volumes – most of it … Continue reading →

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The Company We Keep

Posted on April 19, 2011 by Al Watts

Do you remember being warned as a kid about “hanging out with the wrong crowd,” and that if you did you were likely to get into trouble?  That was pretty good advice, and it still holds true.  These days I … Continue reading →

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Values? What Values?

Posted on March 22, 2011 by Al Watts

When I help organizations articulate their core values, the lists look very similar.  I often see values that are variations of integrity,” “honesty,” “service,” “excellence,” “quality,” “trust” and “stewardship.”  That’s fine as long as people really mean those values; after … Continue reading →

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