NOTES FROM THE WALL

My apologies to John Dunne for paraphrasing one of the popular phrases from his Meditation XVII.  Being  the chief executive of any enterprise is an exhilarating experience.  There's tremendous influence to be exercised as a CEO.  It can also be marked by a unique and deeply experienced sense of isolation and occasional loneliness.  The good news is that there are ways to mitigate that uncomfortable part of the position, stay connected, and be productive.  Here are four:

Engaged leaders often find themselves at the edge of learning, facing challenges or opportunities that will require of them new knowledge or skills.  These moments can be preceded by acutely experienced feelings of fear.  The good news is that, if managed well, this fear will herald focused and powerful leadership behavior, leading to high achievement.  

Mike Pelfini's earliest lesson in leadership and achievement came during one of his childhood summers, as he watched and helped his grandfather, Brizio, build a fieldstone retaining wall.