I was in the audience when it happened.

It was 1978… Kansas City, Missouri’s Municipal Auditorium… the National FFA Convention… and, the speaker was Paul Harvey. The presentation title was, “So God Made a Farmer.”

Audio from this speech was used for the powerful Super Bowl spot for Dodge’s RAM tru...

One of the points I made in the book, “Create Distinction,” is that “best practices aren’t always ‘best’ for your organization.”

In other words, what made Starbucks distinctive can provide you with some great ideas and concepts — however, it is NOT a blueprint that you can duplicate for your organi...

It’s impossible for me to describe how popular my father was back home. Suffice it to say that if I were elected President, my hometown news would proclaim, “Dallas McKain’s Son Wins!”

Our family owned a grocery in Crothersville, Indiana. The way my Dad treated people and served customers not only ...

You’ve seen it — a new manager or executive comes to an organization. Immediately, those reporting to the new leader begin to prepare themselves for some action that their new boss will take to “make his (or her) mark.”

The exercise of “making a mark” is frequently based in the ego of the new ...

I was playing drums in a family band that opened for the country star at a concert at the little high school I attended.

After the first of two shows, Jim Ed approached me and said, “I’m looking for a new drummer — and I’d like it to be you!”

I couldn’t believe it — a country star and Grand Ole Op...

If I ask you to think of affluent communities, there are some names that come to mind. One that jumps to the top of my list is Carmel, California. The entire Monterey Peninsula is nothing short of spectacular — and, in many locations in that region, it’s quite expensive and elite.

Now, imagine that...