Between teaching at NYU since 2009, five Ivy League degrees, and a father who is a professor with tenure from when I was born, I’ve spent a lot of time in American universities. Something doesn’t make sense about American university admissions and diversity. I’m not saying it’s good or bad, but that it’s paradoxical and, in my opinion, worth working out. Diversity in University Admissions Nearly all universities want diversity[…] Keep reading →

While others analyze, label, plan, discuss, and debate, what sets effective leaders apart is getting the job done. The World Science Festival is hosting Steven Pinker to speak on his latest book, Enlightenment Now, and I’m using the opportunity to examine his work from a leadership perspective. The book’s global coverage and superlative praise by achievers like Bill Gates suggest it warrants review, but nearly every review approaches the book[…] Keep reading →

I Haven’t Eaten for 3 Days and It’s Amazing It’s Sunday and the last food I ate was lunch Thursday. I’ve ingested only water for 72 hours and the experience is life-changing. I love food, but I have eaten nothing and drank only water for the past 72 hours. Why? Partly because I kept hearing from friends and the media that they enjoyed fasting. Since swimming across the Hudson River,[…] Keep reading →

Leading Through Emotions Is the Opposite of Manipulation Leading means helping people do what they want, not what they don’t want. Thinking otherwise undermines your ability to lead. As a leadership professor, trainer, and author, I have occasion to see people develop leadership skills at all levels. When I describe the difference between leadership and management, they tend to accept that management generally involves behavior and things you can see[…] Keep reading →

How Much Should a Plastic Bag Cost? Why do some places still allow them to cost zero? It’s hard to avoid plastic bags. Partly it’s hard because they are everywhere. It’s harder because in most places they’re free, with no external incentive to avoid using them. Many of us bring bags to stores with us. Those of us with unconscious competence at it can’t believe people use as much plastic[…] Keep reading →

You’d Fire an Employee Whose Goal was Awareness. Why Accept it for the Environment? If you don’t act on your values, are you able to lead? What can you learn? Ridiculous in business Imagine you needed surgery and asked the surgeon who was going to operate on you, “Have you ever done this surgery before?” and he or she said, I haven’t done it before, by I’m aware of the procedure. Imagine you were[…] Keep reading →

Cold Showers Aren’t Hard Showers. They’re Easy Workouts. Confusion about their purpose scare people from realizing their value as one of the easiest, cheapest, and effective improvement practices. I’ve written here many times on the benefits of cold showers. I’ve blogged more about them. You wouldn’t have clicked on the headline if you weren’t curious about them or already doing them. Inc. is a community of achievers and has covered[…] Keep reading →

Don’t Call It a “Carbon” Tax Words have meaning and the problem isn’t carbon. Naming the tax meaningfully and effectively will create support. As a carbon-based life form, I’m fond of carbon. Taxing it doesn’t sound appealing to me. As someone who likes the sea levels where they are, I find taxing greenhouse gas emissions compelling, like taxing cigarettes, which reduced smoking, extended lives, and increased revenues. “Pollution tax,” not[…] Keep reading →

A Lesson in Authentic Leadership With Super Bowl Champion Bryan Braman Think NFL players only care about the game? This Philadelphia Eagle showed the leadership skills that make champions, on the field and in life. When a friend offered to connect me to Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagle Bryan Braman, my first thought–as a native Philadelphian raised on cheese steaks and soft pretzels–was of course I want to talk to a guy who[…] Keep reading →