My uncle and I went on a consulting trip in Thailand several years ago and I had two particularly memorable moments that epitomized to me the spirit of outstanding service. Both occurred at the Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok, which I recall at the time was rated the #1 luxury hotel not just in Thailand but …
Category: Observations on Life
Gracious Living
One of the hallmarks of an effective parent, manager or leader is the attitude of graciousness. Gracious living is much more than a technique, in fact, it is a general approach to living that gives evidence of a refined relationship to life itself. What is life, anyway? Is it something that you have or something …
Order out of Chaos
Where you place your emphasis determines in large measure the quality and impact of your life. Consider this for a moment. Every situation that comes your way will contain a mixture of orderly and chaotic elements. Fear or react to the chaos and you will tend to perpetuate the chaos, if not add to it. …
Known to Unknown
I had two conversations yesterday that carried a common thread. While I was the common denominator in both, the principle outlined came from my riding coach and a new business associate, not from me. I couldn’t help but notice the coincidence and I am compelled to share it with you this morning. When you understand …
Infinite Possibility
"Man must realize that he was not placed in the world, as a finality, something fixed, limited, restricted and unchangeable. He was entrusted with himself as infinite possibility, as mere raw material to fashion as he will for better or for worse as he may determine. It is part of his glorious gift of freedom, …
Vision
"The great men of the world have ever been its men of vision, men of imagination, of ideals and of inspiration. They ever hold their heads high, and see above, through, and beyond the limitations of their time and environment. They will see with the poet’s imagination, the prophet’s intuition, the philosopher’s reasoning. Vision sees …
Lost in a Busy World
There is a game called by many different names that is played around the world. Where I grew up we called it "Operator." The game is simple, but revealing. One person whispers a message to another and the message is passed through the entire group until it reaches the last player, who then announces the …
A Team of Stallions
I had the good pleasure of attending Cavalia's Odysseo in Atlanta yesterday evening and the performance was riveting! Our tickets came with a tour of the stables and an opportunity to ask questions of the show's Equestrian Director, Benjamin Aillaud, and my thoughts this morning center around an answer he gave to a member of …
Higher Vision
One of the challenges I most enjoy as a manager is the need to inspire others to see that the quotidian need not be mundane. Circumstances are not inherently boring, tedious or commonplace. Those names are given to them by people who encounter them in the garden of life. Two people might view the same …
The Glory of Going On
"Tennyson uses the fine phrase, “the glory of going on.” There is tremendous power and influence in plowing through obstacles and opposition as though they did not exist, of remaining calm and undaunted, meeting fate or failure without protest, but ever seeking a new way out. Courage is not in never fearing but in conquering …
Gregory Hake 