In my favorite comic strip, “Peanuts,” by Charles Schulz, Lucy asks Charlie Brown what day of the week he likes best. For the next few frames, we see Charlie thinking and thinking. Finally, he says, “... more
William Marston, a prominent psychologist, authored a two-year study where he asked 3,000 individuals the following: “What have you to live for?”... more
The neighborhood kids had congregated in the front yard when a fire truck zoomed past. Sitting on the front seat was a Dalmatian dog. The children started discussing the dog’s duties.... more
A new era began at the University of Minnesota when P.J. Fleck was hired as the head football coach. Since he landed in Minnesota less than two short years ago, he has already begun to energize the en... more
A minister told his congregation, “For next week’s sermon, I would like everyone to read the 17th chapter of Mark from your Bible. This will help you fully understand my topic on an important sin.”... more
Quotes, aphorisms, proverbs or whatever you want to call them -- I’m a junkie. I picked up the habit from my father, who was an Associated Press journalist. Readers of my nationally syndicated column ... more
Whether you are trying to launch your entrepreneurial vision, close a big deal, land your dream job, get that promotion or support a philanthropic effort, we are all looking for that spot-on gesture t... more
Seymour Cray, the founder of Cray Research and a legendary free spirit in the management community, was once asked -- according to a Wall Street Journal story -- to produce a one-year and a five-year ... more
If you’ve ever had to deal with the thoughtless behavior of someone, you’ll appreciate this story about the great composer and pianist Franz Liszt.... more
A famous art professor died and went to heaven. At the pearly gates, the professor asked St. Peter, “Sir, I spent most of my life on Earth studying great art, but I have a question that has puzzled me... more
A farmer famed for his agricultural knowhow once hired a neighbor's teenage son to help him do the spring plowing. The farmer believed in letting people do their work without undue supervision, so he ... more
American mathematician Norbert Wiener had a reputation for being a little absent-minded. According to one story, when his family moved to a new Massachusetts home, his wife insisted on supervising eve... more
A small business owner was in trouble. She decided to call in an expert sales consultant to give her an outsider’s viewpoint. After she had gone over her plans and problems, the business owner took th... more
It is no secret that I love to play golf. And it’s no secret that I have conducted a lot of business on the golf course. Perhaps the worst-kept secret of all is that I have learned a lot during rounds... more
Pete walked into his boss’s office. “Ms. Smith, I’ll be straight with you. I know the economy isn’t great, but I have three companies after me, and I would like to respectfully ask for a raise.”... more
Three men were in a pickup truck driving in the woods when they got stuck in the mud. The driver became angry and began to shout and curse. He pounded on the steering wheel and then sat fuming about t... more
Two young men were out in a rowboat when it overturned. Luckily, two women were nearby in another boat and came to their aid. The men were a long way from shore and needed medical attention. Unfortuna... more
One day, more than one hundred years ago, two young fellows were in a quarrel, and it showed signs of becoming serious. Future President Abraham Lincoln, himself a young man at the time, was called up... more
A firm needed a researcher. Applicants were a scientist, an engineer and an economist. Each was given a stone, a piece of string and a stopwatch and told to determine a certain building’s height. The ... more
Several years ago, a seasoned plumber wrote to the U.S. Bureau of Standards promoting a new procedure for cleaning pipes. The bureau replied: “The efficiency of the recommended solution is completely ... more
A famous trapeze performer and teacher was instructing his students. After full explanations and instruction in this complicated skill, he asked them to demonstrate.... more
A young woman was waiting for her flight at a big airport, so she decided to buy a book to read and a packet of cookies to snack on. She sat down in an armchair in a VIP lounge to relax and read in pe... more
I wish I had a dollar for every time I’ve called someone and been told they're in a meeting. I often wonder if they are in a meeting to see if they should have a meeting.... more
A young vice president was appointed by the board of directors of a bank to replace the retiring president and founder. With fear and trepidation, he made an appointment to visit with the seasoned ret... more
“If you were to go around asking people what would make them happier, you’d get answers like ‘A new car. A bigger house. A raise in pay. Winning the lottery.’ Very few would say, ‘A chance to help peo... more