What Makes an Entrepreneur an Entrepreneur October 31, 2018 After positive feedback on my post clarifying the difference between leadership and management, I’m sharing what makes someone an entrepreneur and what they might be if not. Definitions are like opinions-;everyone has one and people argue over them-;so I’m not trying to tell anyone how to think. I’m only sharing a perspective that has helped me. If you use another definition[…] Keep reading →

Why Every Parent or Student Should Read This Book October 31, 2018 If not, the experience will surprise you. The building feels eerily smaller. The teachers seem more human. I visited my grade school when I returned to Philadelphia for graduate school after college in New York City. I saw my fifth grade teacher. We were surprised and happy to recognize each other. After hello, almost immediately she said, “I’m[…] Keep reading →

When Innovation and Technology Fail Us Joshua Spodek October 10, 2018 We see technology, innovation, and the efficiency they bring as relief to our burdens, potential solutions to some of our greatest problems, such as the climate and pollution. Could they, while solving immediate problems, create bigger, long-term ones? I write the following as the holder of six patents, as well as a PhD in astrophysics, having helped build an[…] Keep reading →

This Travel Writer Who Doesn’t Fly Will Demolish Your Beliefs About Adventure JOSHUA SPODEK SEPTEMBER 24, 2018 Evelina Utterdahl travels more than most. She writes travel columns. She loves travel as much as anyone, maybe more. If you’ve had trouble aligning your life with your values, you may learn from her. Part of a growing number of people who think before they fly, she chooses not to fly not out of ignorance or[…] Keep reading →

Which is more common–an athlete becoming a business or political leader, or a political figure becoming an athlete? Many athletes and become leaders in business, politics, and so on, but the reverse never happens. The difference tells me that sports teaches skills useful and essential to leadership. I had the honor of interviewing Marquis Flowers of the New England Patriots for the Leadership and the Environment podcast. His vulnerability and raw emotion revealed what athletes learn through their struggles,[…] Keep reading →

Handling Trigger Warnings, Microaggressions, Safe Spaces, and Other Outrages Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff’s new book, The Coddling of the American Mind, takes on offense and outrage with calm resolve and effective insight Jonathan Haidt’s latest book, released today, The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure, coauthored by Greg Lukianoff, takes on one of the issues of our[…] Keep reading →

How Arianna Huffington, Ryan Holiday, Marie Kondo, and Successful Leaders’ Start Their Days Successful people start their mornings with routines. Routines make difficult habits doable. You don’t have yours? Time to start. Need help? I loved finding MyMorningRoutine.com, which posts a new successful person’s morning routine each week, including mine. You can also find Arianna’s and Ryan’s (though mine is best. . . for me, that is. It’s surprising how[…] Keep reading →

The Perfect Workout, Perfected? Regular readers know I find physical conditioning integral to leadership (and a rich, rewarding life). Research shows it. Research shows a few exercises work the whole body and cardiovascular system with low risk of injury–particularly swimming, cross-country skiing, and rowing. The first two need pools or snow. Rowing requires only an indoor rower, which is why I’ve put over 1,000,000 meters and hit big achievements (for[…] Keep reading →

Real-Life Spider-man, Sherlock Holmes, Doctor Strange, and the Hulk Are Saving Lives Global headlines are announcing superheroes saving lives in our world, not comic books or movies. Global headlines are announcing superheroes saving lives in our world, not comic books or movies. Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Strange Yesterday, Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Strange star, Benedict Cumberbatch Credited With Saving a Cyclist From Attackers. The New York Times reported from a[…] Keep reading →