Craig Van Slyke, Ph.D., has high standards. He strives for excellence in leadership and life. And wants to help others get there, too. “You can’t be a truly excellent, ethical leader without being an excellent, ethical person,” he says. “Work on making yourself an excellent person first.” His … [Read more...] about Learning about Leadership from Stoics and Animals
craig van slyke
Following Happy Trails: On Leadership and Life
Recently, I was driving down I-17, heading for Sky Harbor Airport. At a certain point, I could see a full moon through my windshield, and the rising sun in my rearview mirror. It struck me that this was a pretty good metaphor for my current situation. The sinking moon and rising sun represent the … [Read more...] about Following Happy Trails: On Leadership and Life
The Leadership Paradox: Humility and Confidence
Leaders face an interesting, sometimes confusing, paradox. People want leaders who are humble, but also want leaders who project confidence. Projecting humility can suggest a lack of self-confidence, but projecting self-confidence can suggest arrogance. What’s a leader to do? Let’s untangle this … [Read more...] about The Leadership Paradox: Humility and Confidence
Our On-Demand World
How many of you have made a mixtape? Back in the day, making someone a mixtape was a well-known sign of affection. For those of you who are too young or too old to understand the significance of the mixtape, they were significant because of the time and effort it took to make one. Filling a … [Read more...] about Our On-Demand World
Understanding the Benefits of Freedom of Thought, Expression
In my younger days, I was pretty intractable, convinced that I was always right. When my wife, Tracy, reads this, she’ll do an eye-roll and think “was?” but I really have gotten much better about allowing for the possibility that I might be wrong. (At some point, I had to give in to overwhelming … [Read more...] about Understanding the Benefits of Freedom of Thought, Expression
Finding the Philosophy of Life in Country Songs
Since moving to Doney Park and acquiring a horse and two (very funny) goats, I’ve been listening to a lot of country music … the real stuff. Early this morning, while feeding the hooved ones, it occurred to me that it might be fun to express some of my philosophy of life through country songs. So, … [Read more...] about Finding the Philosophy of Life in Country Songs
Being Mindful
This month, we discuss the second of my four pillars of self-leadership, mindfulness. (The other three are purposefulness, reflection and practice.) When I give talks on self-leadership, I usually have a slide that shows the inflatable “autopilot” from the 1980 comedy classic, “Airplane.” Why? … [Read more...] about Being Mindful
Reflecting on Orlando
The recent terrible, tragic shooting in Orlando struck close to home for me, literally. My family moved to Orlando almost 30 years ago. Although not born there, it’s the city I think of as home. My immediate family still resides in or near Orlando. For a period of time, I lived about a mile from the … [Read more...] about Reflecting on Orlando
Purposefulness: One of the Four Pillars of Self-Leadership
This summer, we’re going to focus on self-leadership. Like leadership, self-leadership is an influence process, but in the case of self-leadership, you’re leading yourself rather than others. Self-leadership is about taking control of your life, of becoming the sort of person you’d like to be. … [Read more...] about Purposefulness: One of the Four Pillars of Self-Leadership
Dear Graduate: Thoughts on Pursuing a Life Well-Lived
This is my second annual “Dear Graduate” letter. The inspiration for the content of this letter came from listening to a group of students who completed an eight-week Dale Carnegie course. Their comments led me to think about what we should seek as we traverse life. Dear Graduate: You have … [Read more...] about Dear Graduate: Thoughts on Pursuing a Life Well-Lived