Every year I make an opening talk at the conference and today’s blog is an excerpt. “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another…” Hebrews 10:24 Nothing could be more important than the ability to “consider” one another, for right now not only our country feels divided on every issue but we as friends and family are encouraged to choose sides in ways that separate us from each other. There is a mean spirit in the land that tells us not to consider others but…

While my father served as a mentor to many over his life, I asked him to share what he had looked for in a mentor when he was young. What were his criteria? Dad continued mentoring through www.breakfastwithfred.com into his late 80’s giving great insight into the selection process of mentoring. He passed away in 2007 leaving a legacy of wisdom, integrity, strength, and insight.   It’s important to find the right mentor. Over the years I have identified seven qualities I look for: 1. Do they have wisdom from experience? Scripture says young men are for strength, old men for wisdom. A mentor must understand the principles of life…

For me, few things are more satisfying than spending time with young people starting a company or non-profit. While most of the conversation is about start-up, I try to get around to the topic of what happens when it grows. One of the most useful tools for understanding the lifecycle of an organization is that developed by Dr. Ichak Adizes, the founder of the Adizes Institute in Santa Barbara. We all begin at the same place: an idea born in response to an opportunity. The new idea becomes an infant dependent on the resources of the founder and that stage may last months or years depending on the growth. We…

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Gerard Manley Hopkins’ poem, “Spring and Fall,” tells the story of a young girl, Margaret, and her grief over trees dropping their leaves in the Fall. Of course, he takes it to a much deeper level, in the end, to describe her discovering for the first time that, like all of us, she is mortal. Like leaves falling, there are other predictable and regular changes – and losses – in our lives. What makes them easier is knowing what is lost will return. Every year when we take down the Christmas lights I have a twinge of that. Putting away the boat and the first frost are reminders of something…