“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 […]

Ten years ago, Scott fired me. At the time, he wanted to handle his own investments. He thought that he could do it himself and didn’t want to spend the money on an advisor. It stung at the time, like it always does. But I understood his thinking and wished him well. Last year, I was able to reconnect with Scott. I’d just relocated to Arizona with my family. Coincidentally, so had he. He had a new position as the CFO of a company in Phoenix and was doing great. Scott and I met for a drink to catch up. […]

On Wednesday, one headline reads, “…shares sink following weak revenue forecasts due to….” On Thursday, the same news source writes about the same company, saying, “…company shares jump 8% on report of company X collaborating...” The same news source. The same week. A discussion about the same company. But two totally different messages. Narrative. Most people take in their information with layers of interpretation. You can make numbers say just about anything you want, and the markets and our news cycle move so fast, 24 hours with little respite. According to most headlines, we’re either in a new gold rush […]

I never spent a lot of time with my father. He wasn’t around – or particularly interested. When he was nearby, he often closed himself off. Headphones on, he listened to music instead of acknowledging my sister and me. So, with my kids, I try to be there for them. I try my best to be at all of their games and performances. I tour schools with my wife. To be honest with you, it’s not my favorite thing in the world (to put it lightly), but we want to make sure they’re going to the best schools and have the […]

The phone never rings this late. It can’t be good. “Hello?” the father answers. A familiar voice on the other end of the phone: the mom of one of their son’s friends. “There has been an accident,” she says, trying to collect her breath. “Your son was in it. You need to come right away.” Upon hearing the news, the mother screams. They quickly dress and rush downstairs and into the car. Every possible outcome races through their minds. They try to remain positive, but time stands still. Once at the scene, Mom and Dad see their son being attended to by […]