Originally published April 15, 2013 This past weekend, I had the privilege of restarting an old friendship I thought had died some years ago. It was a weird, rocky friendship to begin with, and it seemed to take care of itself as time passed. Truth is, sentiment dies hard with me, and recent life events…
Originally published March 20, 2013 In a time and society of materialism and pride, I’ve reflected a lot lately about what it really means to live humbly. Jokes from my “Book on Humility” routine aside, I’ve come to some pretty startling conclusions about myself. Mostly, I’ve learned just how much I can stand under great…
Originally published March 14, 2013 First thing in my view this morning: 25-year-old man found shot dead at F Street and Allegheny Avenue. Nothing particularly stirring about this news, since homicide is Philly’s living legacy, pardon the irony. No, what stands out for me is that only a few months ago, I still lived there…
Originally published March 11, 2013 Ever feel as if your life – personal, social, professional, or otherwise – is spinning wildly out of control? That’s what it’s like to be inside my head 24/7. Hello, my name is irrelevant, and I’m a control freak. (This where you all in the circle say hello and repeat…
Originally published February 5, 2013 There’s a line in “Heat” (starring Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino), in which Pacino’s cop character yells – as only Pacino can – at an informant from the underworld about wasting his time. Expletives aside, it glaringly came to mind when a mild-mannered colleague very politely expressed this very sentiment…
Originally published January 23, 2013 In the life of every artist – great, aspiring, and everything in between – there is someone with a knack for motivating and inspiring creativity at even the lowest point of his or her art. There are long, boring stories about the history or mythology of these creative muses, and…
Originally published January 21, 2013 A colleague recently challenged me to look at trust a little differently with these questions: What are the results (consequences) of trust built on authenticity versus the same built on manipulation? Taking it a step further, how does one sustain trust built on either? From personal to business to social…
Originally published January 16, 2013 So I tried to go a full 90 days without a blog post (excluding witty/pithy remarks under “About Martin”). This has been cut short by probing colleagues who happened upon this blog, forcing me to post something – anything – in the way of an update to its tired pages….
Originally published October 20, 2012 Just returning this afternoon from an energetic and inspiring new-client introductory meeting, I’m still reeling with enthusiasm and ideas about programs and projects in which I’m currently involved. Moreover, this morning’s breakfast with three of the most promising and caring individuals with whom I’ve had the privilege to meet has…
Originally published September 13, 2012 I called a colleague with a question the other day, and when I said, “Have a quick question for you,” she replied (in jest), “Five bucks.” We both shared a laugh about it, and later reflected on how important it is to value our time as professionals, regardless of our…
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