Prior to 1959 and prior to Fidel Castro taking power in Cuba, the country was not the impoverished pariah state that we now know it as. In fact, Cuba’s capital, Havana, was a dazzling and dynamic city. Casinos, lounges, and luxury hotels lined the coastlines, with celebrities like Ava Gardner, Frank Sinatra, and Ernest Hemingway regular visitors. Havana was such a hot spot for international jet setters and vacationers that for just $50 (a couple of hundred dollars today), you could buy a roundtrip ticket from Miami to Havana, including hotel, food, and a few shows. Consider that, pre-Castro, Cuba […]

“I think I need to remove one of my girls from our estate plan,” she said. “She is out of control and has now revoked all of our access to her therapist,” my client continued, trying not to cry. “She is 18 now and has that right, but we have been trying to get her the help she needs.” “I don’t know what happened. She was always such a happy kid.” I simply listened. Then, when she was ready, I went over what could be done and her options. And I was there for her as she wept, describing what was […]

I heard a quote once that stuck with me. “Once you get to the top of the mountain, all you have left is lighting. Whether that’s good or bad is up to you.” Although I can’t properly attribute it, those words hold weight with me. At this point, I fully understand that with success comes responsibility. Sometimes, that responsibility feels daunting or can even be frightening – the lightning is crashing all around you, and you’re alone, at the top, without shelter. Almost always, that responsibility is inconvenient and uncomfortable. But how you stand up in the face of those hazards […]

Last Friday, while walking through the Denver airport to head back home, I noticed a young woman crying. I was walking through the airport with Chuck, my longtime friend and coach, who was on the phone completing a call. As we waited to enter TSA, I noticed a young lady in tears, getting more and more upset while she spoke on her cell phone. We ended up being sent in one direction and her in another at the airport while trying to get to the security line. Finally, we entered an elevator to get to our gate. Just as the […]

I want to share something with you, Nike’s guiding principles: Our business is change. We’re on offense.  All the time. Perfect results count—not a perfect process.  Break the rules: fight the law. This is as much about battle as about business. Assume nothing.  Make sure people keep their promises.  Push yourselves push others.  Stretch the possible. Live off the land. Your job isn’t done until the job is done. Dangers: Bureaucracy Personal ambition Energy takers vs. energy givers Knowing your weaknesses Don’t get too many things on the platter It won’t be pretty. If we do the right things, we’ll make money […]