Lessons From My Father

My Dad was not a big talker. Unless he was telling one of his stories. He probably would have preferred a root canal over talking with a stranger or ever asking anyone for a favor. As you might expect, my mother was the complete opposite.

My dad was not a “networker”. He benefitted from my mom having so many contacts and being able to find an answer, a product, anything through her contacts. I had to learn to be more like my mom than my dad in order to protect my professional value.

It’s always like magic to me when “networking” works to fulfill someone’s needs. While in Marrakesh, I Facebooked photos of my experience. A FB “friend” messaged me to ask some questions because they are going to Marrakesh in a couple of weeks.

As it turned out, they want to go into the mountains and I had the best driver take me there for my riding experience. On one hand I was miles away from this century, and at the same time everyone I rode past had a cell phone. Goat and sheep herders looked over their herds with no fencing between neighbors, and a phone in their hand.

Sophan had given me his phone number for an excursion to the olive fields. When I was asked for his contact information, I could then pass it on to my FB friends.

What if Sophan gets business in Marrakesh because I posted on FB to friends in Florida? The magic of “networking.”

In some ways the topic of leadership is like the Supreme Court’s definition of pornography, "I know it when I see it."

Mid-east expert Aaron David Miller recently said while in his hometown of Cleveland, one of the challenges in the world today is that we lack great leaders.

This is a brief segment teaser for an upcoming Forum 360.  Our guest, Justin Hilton, president of Leadership Akron. He helped us cut through preconceived ideas to understand leadership today and into our future

Our guest on the topic of leadership was Justin Hilton, president of Leadership Akron. He helped us cut through pop culture and perhaps preconceived ideas to arrive at and understand leadership today and into our future.

Perspectives from Marrakech

1. So Much for Pre-conceived Ideas



We all have pre-conceived ideas. Some of mine about Morocco were that women couldn’t drive by themselves and that it would be frowned upon for women to show a lot of skin. I was wrong on both counts. I saw women of all ages completely covered in traditional Moslem hijabs, driving by themselves or driving a motorcycle by themselves.

Lesson Learned: As we checked-in to our hotel, I saw guests walking in and out with bare arms, bare legs, bare midriffs and topless at the pool. There went that misconception. At the same time you hear the call to prayer five times a day, you see women in workout bras and workout shorts walking on the streets. Is there a pre-conceived idea that you can test?

2. When to Push Comfort Zones

Before I went to Morocco my big dilemma was: would I ride a horse while there or not? How safe was it for a Jewish woman to go an hour out of the city by herself? The hotel would arrange it, but still, good idea or bad idea? Would I ever be heard from again? What if I fell off? My guide spoke no English, I didn’t know the cues my horse, Sultan, was taught.

Lesson Learned:  The ride was in the mountains on craggy stone full of what we would call potholes. We rode through little “towns” that I can only imagine what people would have thought had they known my heritage. I was dropped off at a Riad with no one in sight. Had I been kidnapped? No one in the world knew where I was at this moment. Have you pushed a comfort zone recently?

3. Our Way Isn't the Only Way

Their airport has birds and cats living in it, they serve on glassware at the pool, there are many horse drawn carriages and no one seems to have heard of horse fly spray, all the horses sleep outside, and all service people will follow you if you haven’t tipped enough. Yet they may offer you a seat and tea while shopping in the souk (next to the snakes and monkeys).

Lesson Learned: I tried to clean the eyes of every horse I could so the flies wouldn’t be as bad for them. I just gave more if they weren’t satisfied with their tip, our airports may have birds living in them. I wish Macy’s or Saks would provide more seats, water occasionally. I was reminded that our way isn’t the only way. Is there a way of doing things you can adapt?

I often read about people who re-home their dog or take their dog to a shelter because they had a baby. Perhaps their fears are real or perhaps conjecture.

When we travel, Benji (and Tevi) live in their second home. It is a home with children. They have each gone there since they were puppies. They live in their second home the same way they live in their first home, as the family pets.

Their second family “fosters” babies from time to time. A couple of months ago, Benji was there at the same time as a baby. He didn’t know what to make of this small bundle and so he barked at this strange bundle. He was used to small human beings, but not this small. One might have thought he wasn’t a good fit for a baby.

After being with the baby the last ten days, he has become her protector. He lays down on the arm of the couch as close to the bassinet as he can get himself. No one taught him to guard the baby, he just does.

Even when the baby goes away for a few hours, he stays in his position.

It makes me proud of Benji. At the same time sad for dogs that weren’t given the opportunity to adapt to new circumstances.

Is there a new circumstance that you or your team can adapt to, and like Benji, rise to the occasion?

Video and Vino

May 15, 5pm - 7pm

We would be excited to have you join us at this unique session. Each participant will be taped, we will play it back, make suggestions, and tape you again. You will see immediate improvement!

You learn by doing and by observing others. Guess what? You have fun throughout the process!

• This session will prepare you to be ready for your time in the spotlight whether it is in person, on TV, a podcast, Tik-Tok, YouTube or Zoom.
• Leave with VINO and a gift bag!

HorseTalk: Lessons in Leadership

First Session of the Summer

June 7, 9am - 4pm

Welcome to the wonderful world of HorseTalk where magnificent 4-legged creatures will teach you more about your communication and leadership skills than you could learn in a decade . . . or even a lifetime.

If you can lead a horse, you can lead anyone.

• Are you ready to learn something new in a new way?
• Are you tired of zoom sessions and getting continuing ed credits through remote learning?  

This hands-on day of educational escapism will help you see yourself through someone else’s eyes. This someone else just happens to be a horse.

Awesome Group of Adventurous People!

You could be one of a carefully chosen group of special people who will share this day together. We keep this a small group so: 

1. You get much individual attention
2. You receive the benefit of observing others and learn through these observations
3. You have the ability to learn at your own pace

When: Friday, June 7 9:00 AM – 4 PM

Come yourself or come with a team.

Where: An Arabian Horse Farm in Richfield, Oh

HorseTalk is offered four times in 2024:

• June 7
• July 12
• August 23
• October 11

Email us at [email protected] for more information or to RSVP to one of our events.

Ask me about my 10 in 10!