December 2020 – The Maximum Standard

2021 – Setting Audacious Goals

Stephen T. Messenger 1 January 2021 “The size of your dreams must always exceed your current capacity to achieve them. If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough.” — Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Every year in January, much to my wife’s chagrin, I outline a list of twenty personal, audacious goals thatContinue reading “2021 – Setting Audacious Goals”

Wearing Different Hats

by Stephen T. Messenger January 1, 2021 I have three baseball caps in my house. One is a clean tan Army hat that I wear outside in public at places like sporting events and beach gatherings. This reminds me that I am a military officer both on and off duty and represent the profession ofContinue reading “Wearing Different Hats”

Not a Hint of Impropriety

by Stephen T. Messenger January 1, 2021 In 2007, Starbucks faced backlash for a failure to protect the environment. Between wasting over six million gallons of water per day from constantly running faucets and selling more than two billion unrecyclable paper cups per year, their environmental footprint, or lack thereof, was not making any friends.[i] Continue reading “Not a Hint of Impropriety”

Follow Me!

by Stephen T. Messenger January 1, 2021 The most powerful words any leader can say are “Follow me.” Leaders lead from the front and are the first to walk into any conflict—be it the field of battle or boardroom. You cannot expect your team to do what you say unless you do what you said. Continue reading “Follow Me!”

Doing Things Right

by Stephen T. Messenger January 1, 2021 I’ve been a runner now for many years typically hitting the pavement five times a week. In periods where I run just to say I exercised; I rarely improve. I generally don’t see changes in my performance except preventing atrophy. I can tell my coworkers I ran toContinue reading “Doing Things Right”

Cup of Coffee Philosophy

by Stephen T. Messenger January 1, 2021 What would you get your boss if she asked you for a cup of coffee first thing in the morning? One of my mentors asked me this very same question ten years ago. I pictured myself walking to the break room to fill up a Styrofoam cup two-thirdsContinue reading “Cup of Coffee Philosophy”