The Educated Emotion

Many people have asked me how did get this or that opportunity over the years. My answer is always the same: # volunteer . Sometimes people ask about volunteer opportunities and others just blow off what I just said like I am being "extra" or flippant. But, it's the truth. Volunteering is how I access information about opportunities both paid and otherwise, connect with new people, develop relationships with old acquaintances, and express my care about the things I am most passionate about in the community.  Through volunteering (directly or indirectly), I have received jobs, clients, real friends, business partners, furniture, my home, event tickets, and a couple trips. I am not saying that anyone should begin volunteering to see what tangibles he or she can accumulate, but I am saying that the shift in mindset one takes to be a doer...a part of a team no matter what his or her credentials might be, can help shape a leader that is respected and valued within the commu...

Among my favorite business leaders of the last 20 years are C. K. Prahalad, Larry Page, Stephen Covey, Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Melinda Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg. Each of these leaders has made a profound impact on not only business – but on society as well. Social media has helped to blur the lines between business, industry, and popular leaders. Internet memes and graphic quotations have helped to revive archived thoughts and words from notable people in history. Qualities of leadership such as life balance, grit, creativity, and critical thinking, can be exhibited online by businesses,  entrepreneurs, celebrities, and politicians of the past and present. As we celebrate the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I am exposed to how relevant his work was to today's entrepreneur and reminded of how his words have guided my thoughts about life, purpose, and ethics over the years. Consequently, there are many quotes from Dr. King that have helped guide me in my en...