Integrity connotes a deep commitment to do the right thing for the right reason, regardless of the circumstances. People who live with integrity are incorruptible and incapable of breaking the trust of those who have confided in them.

Every human is born with a conscience and therefore the ability to know right from wrong. Choosing the right, regardless of the consequence, is the hallmark of integrity.

As a trusted leader, do you Lead by example, honoring and drawing on your inner core when the pressure of performance and bottom line taxes doing the Next right thing? I use my ANE Recalibration tool, how about You..?

Please join us this Tuesday for an ANE Leadership Call. You may view leadership tools here.

Tuesday, May 24, 8:30 a.m. EDT
Call in number: (712) 775-7031
Enter ID #: 251-410-597

Over the last few weeks we have been discussing taking care of ourselves and enlisting a team to reach our goals. But what happens when the goal is not reached, and it’s because you as a leader fell short...

I appreciate the benefit of working out in a group or with a partner; I like the camaraderie and support, accountability, and structure. Here we are more open to have things go both ways..

I have learned through my various leadership positions, be it at work or at home, the importance of physical and emotional fitness. I believe that physical fitness changes people for the better. It builds self-discipline and a sense of pride in oneself as a person pursues harder and harder physical challenges and achieves those goals...

“What is ‘faced’ can not always be ‘changed,’

But what is not ‘faced’ can not be ‘changed.’”

Last week we had a great message and discussion lead by Terry Herring.

This week we will continue the theme about facing challenges, knowing how to address, when to ask for help, and how to include your team?...

As people and leaders, we often ignore those nagging thoughts and feelings. We see some things that bother us but we let them slide .....

Work is Like a River…it's always there, constantly flowing along towards the ocean. We regularly go down to the water’s edge and take a swim in it; and then we come out, dry off and walk away from the river. Just like a river, our work is never-ending. We regularly go for swims in it and then we come out again...

This weekend many people were glued to the TV watching their favorite teams and just great competition to be number 1 in the country. Most days in business we talk about and focus on “the wins.” In 1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is addressed and clearly references not boasting, avoiding self-seeking, not being rude, and not keeping score of the wrongs...

Do you feel awkward about being a spiritually intentional leader in the secular workplace? Have you expereinced that any hint of dogma can be a turnoff, especially when talking with those who believe their survival requires extremely competitive behaviors...

Growth is the opportunity for leaders to lift the hearts of people toward the possibilities of greater things. But leaders who only communicate the facts of a situation never offer sufficient reasons for growth. Information simply provides more reasons to deepen negative attitudes--to impede growth...

We are trained, compensated, and promoted around the whole notion that to be a great leader we have to deliver great results with happy, motivated, teams. And when things take a downturn, as they often do, we do our root-cause analysis out of fear because "I" must respond, "I" am accountable,..

The leader's job is always to get the right focus for motivating people. So should the leader focus on the output, the people, or what?...

Five days. By Friday, will you look back on your week and wonder if you contributed all that you could! Or will you think that you spent another week, out of time--out of control? The door to a life of balance and satisfying engagement lies within. Start your week by accepting this and planning to learn more about being spiritually engaged in your job...

Last week, we explored the issue together of restoring linkage to the Spiritual Core. This week, our discussion focuses upon ways of sharpening that connection once we have awoken our spiritual nature...

One of the topics discussed in great length in ANE’s teachings (and featured most prominently in The Joy of Work) is the concept of the Spiritual Core...

What IS resilience? Most say it is the ability to handle things. Actually, people readily connect the concept with resolve, endurance or strength--the notion of standing up to something. But what resilience really means at its core has nothing to do with that. Resilire, the Latin root word borrowed to create the concept of resilience, actually means “to jump or leap back” or “rebound”...

One of the real highlights for me of the last several weeks has been meeting up with good friends and colleagues that I had not seen in sometime, in many cases a year or more...

During an early "A New Equilibrium" workshop several years ago, we spent time developing a statement of our personal leadership purpose. We tried to answer the question "why did my Creator put me in a leadership position?"...

This is the season of fresh starts. We're excited and alive with the possibilities of new goals, new projects, new jobs, and new relationships. Contrast that with the language we often use as the calendar turns to a new year or a relationship comes to an end...

Mies-en-place, the French phrase translates literally as "put in place". Culinary professionals use mies-en-place to mean assembling and arranging the food ingredients and cooking tools needed to prepare a meal...

This can be a very busy time of the year--wrapping up the fiscal year for some, and the calendar year for all...

People prefer to categorize things. It saves time. And this time of year, two categories that come to mind are "naughty" and "nice."...

“The Christmas Scenario” is something that happens very infrequently and has great expectations. Holiday shopping for those dear to our heart falls into this category...

Everyone faces the Rule of 168. There are 168 hours in the week (24 x 7 = 168). And what are we doing with that time?...

Have you thanked those who have influenced you in the past?

Have you thanked those who guide you today?..

As a leader, focusing can be a challenge--projects, people, timelines, deadlines, constantly pushing, sometimes rushing and always with something else in front of us...

The story is one often heard--two beloved sons, one returns to celebration and the loyal son is confused. What do we learn from this parable, and how can we apply it to our lives?...

Who are you as a leader in other people' s eyes? What is your belief system as a leader that you display each day and that others recognize in you? ...

“You have heard it said, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.”  “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Mathew 5:43,44)

“Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14)...

When someone criticizes you at work, how much does it help? Do you get defensive? Or do you enthusiastically start changing your ways?...

What does it mean for you to feel a really deep connection with your colleagues-your direct reports? Not some fleeting passing discussion where mix-ups happen, but conversations where you know with certainty that what you have to say is heard at their deepest place. Would you be energized by the greater sense of trust? Would your job feel more like it's really worth it?..

ANE leaders agree that the way we manage our inner beliefs, our essential core, has everything to do with why people choose to follow us. Without a genuine commitment to grow ourselves, there can be no lasting commitment to change by our followers. Our joyful and grateful journey of growth is infectious...

During the last 4 days, many in the United States have anxiously watched and followed the visit of Pope Francis. The images, gestures, and messages that he has delivered during his visit are profound..

Can you remember work moments when you were completely overjoyed? Times when you just knew that things were going right? Do these occasions happen more or less often for you these days?...

What unites us in A New Equilibrium is our desire to be better leaders through our spirituality. So, is this something we each put into practice on the fly, or do we need focused time to make a spiritual connection during our busy working lives?..

Why do we work? What kind of work do you choose to do? How do you choose to do your work? What makes you work hard? And who do you work for?...

Here's a solution to a common leadership error for anyone who accepts the power of his or her inner spiritual core to improve performance.

Picture yourself at work. A potentially major issue surfaces. How do you start looking for an answer?...

Recently while on a Father and Son camping on trip with seven families, a five-year old boy woke up and stepped out of the tent at 12:15 am for quick relief but did not return. His father began searching. Then after 10 minutes, he alerted other fathers and over the next 45 minutes the search quickly encompassed over 50 ‘previous strangers’ that were canvasing the large camp ground area to find James...

Why are we drawn to heroes and tales of heroic deeds? They perform great feats for the benefit of others, often in dangerous situations and at great risk to themselves. We hold them in the highest esteem...

Business performance and the water cooler chit chat--do they have anything in common? I just had to know, so I did a little research and found The Water Cooler Project.  WCP is a small business that appears to explore a company’s diversity issues through informal conversations.  So how and where might ANE leaders connect? ...

What do an Egg Timer, Business Growth, “in the zone” sport performance, and your Spiritual Core have in common?  Each of them must be “wound up” or prepared to produce specific results...

"To be persuasive, we must be believable; to be believable, we must be credible; to be credible, we must be truthful." Edward R. Murrow

I am an enthusiast of LinkedIn for a few reasons, but one of them is seeing how my clients and colleagues share their views...

A CEO is retiring and a successor is appointed. At the conclusion of their transition meeting, the retiring CEO hands his successor three envelopes numbered sequentially and tells him that whenever he finds himself in trouble to open the envelopes in order. Several months go by, and the new CEO finds things going south and opens the first letter. The letter reads: "Blame your predecessor"...

Do you have high standards of performance that you expect from people?  Most leaders do, despite often not knowing what it really takes for someone to succeed. But performance pressure is always present, whether from inner or outer sources. The key question is: When you think people are falling short, how do you best respond?

Business is challenging. Management can be frustrating. And Leadership is certainly demanding.

Most of you reading this post recognize those facts and yet are committed to bring your very best to your role. Collectively “we” invest in our inner core or God to provide direction when the winds are heavy, the skies dump rain, and when the ground is shaking...

When someone takes and does not give, how do we respond?  How do we avoid falling into the abyss of hate or anger?  How do we move forward and grow?  How do we lead?...

Yesterday, I attended a family reunion. Held in a small Minnesota farming community Town Hall, over one hundred relatives with deep Midwestern roots shared a potluck meal, hugs, the old stories and gentle wistful memories of aunts, uncles and cousins with us now in spirit...

I attended a college reunion this weekend, not my own college reunion, but one where I now work. While many elements of the weekend were probably very similar to other college reunions held around the country: group activities, too much food, the continual sound of old friends greeting and embracing each other, and the inevitable reassurance - or otherwise - gained from comparing one's physical appearance to those of others from the same class...

“One who fears failure limits his activities. Failure is only the opportunity to more intelligently begin again."  Henry Ford

Teachable moments in your Leadership Journey--Inside out, not outside in...

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

One of the principles that will change our life the most is that of vision—or of being in a future state as if it were already true. Jesus said, “I tell you…everything you ask and pray for, believe that you have it already, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24...

There is something about those first warm days of Spring to make you forget about the long winter. Birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, and the bare trees are budding--makes you wonder if you are taking advantage of your leadership role...

We have all been there. You change jobs or careers. You are retained by new clients who need to streamline operations. Your business division merges with another division. You receive that sought after promotion...

Well it is not that simple.

It is all about preparation with intensity and intention. Those determine the quality of the time spent in prayer, devotion, reflection study or exercise...

I've got a new employee starting this week. I'm excited! She brings great skills, energy and another pair of hands to take on the big challenges that we face this year. I'm also mindful of the trust that she is putting in me to come join my team...

"Let go and let God" is a phrase heard often in recovery support groups. It's a powerful phrase that reminds us that there is a time to work, and a time to surrender the outcome up to God...

How many times a week do you use your GPS to get to a new location, navigate an unfamiliar city, find a restaurant, or even reroute around an unexpected traffic jam? For most of us, the answer is quite often and without it I would be just lost...

Last year while traveling extensively, I left my children a note when leaving on Sunday afternoon to “make new friends this week… and I will be checking up to make sure that you are making the world a better place.”...

On Sunday March 2 at 2:00 pm, several ANE members will gather at Princeton Theological Seminary to share their understanding about “the Work Week.” If you are attending, we look forward to seeing you. If you are undecided, we hope to entice you. If you cannot come, we will miss your contributions...

What does it really mean to “Suit up and show up?”  This expression has been used in leadership presentations, management meetings, politics, in some parenting discussions, and in the Recovery communities...

"For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:13

My wife often tells me that I worry too much about work. I sometimes fear losing my job. I fret about making my objectives. A terse email from my boss or a colleague can give me a feeling of approaching dread...

A common greeting--one that we have all heard and responded to countless times. "I'm good" we say, and then ask the obligatory "and how are you?"

We all take part in this social norm, an exchange of pleasantries, and think nothing of it. We are disconnected, but both parties understand what is required of them. There's some good in it after all, a superficial interaction with a fellow human that may warm us a little......And yet, how are you feeling, really?...

The temperatures have been bitter cold; New Year’s initiatives have launched, and likely by this point in mid-February, you are either hitting your stride or in a serious place of questioning. So wondering if you are “Losing Faith” in a process, place, person, or yourself..

This past week has overflowed with examples of businesses and individuals challenged with an authenticity or truth crisis...

Where do we see the most public examples of prayer in the workplace? The Super Bowl is one of the most prominent illustrations of workplace prayer, with some players forming circles before and after the football game...

“Footprints in the Snow” is a classic Bluegrass song by Earl Scruggs.

“Footprints in the Sand” is a renowned poem detailing Christ’s presence in one’s life.

Footprints in the Snow is also an autobiography of a Chinese Buddhist Monk.

The great part about walking on a wet beach or in freshly fallen snow is that an exact trail of your footprints is left behind. If you examine your trail closely, it will tell you volumes...

Do you start and end your day in a manner that provides the greatest opportunity for success?

Do you intentionally ask for what you want, expect to get what you need, and align your day for God’s intervention, insight, and direction? Many of us, practice some form of daily routine that helps in a few of these areas, yet most have not made it a habit that remains unchanged in times of strife...

Many Christmas trees are coming down, the Menorah has been put away, the elf has left the shelf, The Ball has dropped, and now many are putting their house back in order. As A New Equilibrium begins 2015, collectively we offer to all reading these weekly emails a time to reflect on the content and participation in a call with other Spiritually Intentional Leaders...

The New Year has officially begun. Although there are few guarantees for 2015; many consistent patterns occur year after year in our professional and personal lives. Today, let's push a very difficult one to the forefront. The likelihood of an alarming event occurring in your life in the next 359 days is quite high. These events can, will, and do come for many of us with the exceptional burden or a perceived catastrophic impact on our lives...

This message is about reflection and perspective. As we close one year and look toward the next, it is all too common to find ourselves right before the New Year in a period of assessment. For we often calibrate our metrics for the next year based upon where we stand in the old one.  

But the real question here is how we have grown in leadership. What lessons have we learned this year in our efforts to become more spiritually connected leaders?  Because those lessons will undoubtedly propel our journey forward...

Happy Hanukah, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanza, and Happy New Year to all of you, your families, and your organizations. May you enjoy the celebration of the Season, reflect on the year, and look forward, with eager anticipation, to an exceptional 2015.

Earlier this week I spoke to a founding CEO about the inception of the business. He shared that the business was created to bring a positive impact on a large metropolitan city. The belief was that in creating that influence effectively, the result will be a positive impact and a successful business. The ambition was to be delivered in a humble and team-focused manner, without an identified figure head...

A simple rhetorical question that challenges our senses of goodness and humanity. What is the politically correct answer, God, family, friends......?

We all know those canned answers based on worldly expectations. The reality is that if we take an honest look at our daily activities, our motivation will be clear--the job--the drudgery--the race--the contest--the push. It even sounds stressful...

You probably know that we sleep in cycles of roughly 90 minutes, moving through five stages from light to deep sleep and back out again. It turns out that we have an awake cycle as well. When we’re awake, we move from a state of energized alertness progressively into mental and physical fatigue approximately every 90 minutes. At that point, we feel hungry, we lose focus and feel sleepy as our bodies tell us to take a break. The trap we fall into in our drive for productivity is we ignore these signals and turn to caffeine, sugar and our own emergency reserves—the stress hormones that trigger our "fight or flight" state. As a result, we become distracted, jumpy, lose sight of our purpose and become less capable of thinking clearly. We fool ourselves into thinking that we can push through and grind it out...and we expect our teams to follow suit. Sound familiar?...

“Each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.” (Ephesians 4:25)

“Yes, leadership is about vision. But leadership is equally about creating a climate where truth is heard and the brutal facts are confronted.” (Good to Great, Jim Collins)...

Not the standard title for a brief message regarding leadership and spirituality in the workplace, however, “Tradition” needs to have a place in your leadership. Tradition may be defined in many ways--some that include the passing down of elements of a culture, as well as a set of customs as a coherent body of precedents influencing the present/future...

Historically in ANE, we have spoken of Engagers and Disengagers. As individuals and with leading others, it is important to look at those actions that engage you/your workforce or disengage you/your workforce. Last week’s message and call addressed the need to be mindful of reaching out to others with gestures; this week, let’s focus on the critical process of engagement...

A handshake, a wave, rolling of the eyes, a pat on the back, pointing the finger, and avoidance of eye contact say volumes about your leadership. How are you perceived by your colleagues? Only attentive when problems arise, there to pass out blame, present to take the credit, avoidant when conflict arises, lifting others success before your own, or welcoming for each new opportunity that presents?...

Birds of a feather flock together.
What's your flight plan and are you engaged and on course?

Birds of a feather flock together, because they are all going to the same place at the same time. 

As Spiritual Inspired Leaders we have a common destination with our flock (those we lead).  We create flocks (teams), for the purpose of growth for each other and those we serve...

"Every thought has a consequence. And every experience has a causative thought behind it. Thoughts are things, and all things in one's life have a thought that precedes them."
Ernest Holmes

I observe my thoughts run in waves, sometimes crashing on the rocks and other times peacefully rambling down the stream...

“Why did I agree to this breakfast meeting? And why is the commute so much more crowded at this earlier hour? And how did I manage to spill my drink on myself? I just had this cleaned! I woke up on the wrong side of the bed today – this day is ruined!”...

June 11, 2014 

On behalf of the Board of Trustees of A New Equilibrium, I hope that this letter finds you well and that you are utilizing the core principles and teachings of ANE to challenge yourselves as to what it means to be a successful leader.

Over the past year, my fellow trustees and I have been challenging ourselves as well. This challenge has extended to every facet of our personal and professional lives, and by extension, includes what it means to be part of ANE.  In our collaborative search together, the Board completed a soul-searching journey that traced the origins of the organization and its humble beginnings some five years ago to where we stand today....

Are you committed to a professional learning journey? Overcoming interia and pushing oneself to grow takes courage. But once any of us get going, we perform much better when we have that sense of growth at our inner spiritual core. It spreads across all our life experiences, especially where we work. We get fresh energy, new perspectives and more confidence. The downstream effect is always better performance and more satisfaction. Oh, how the stress crowds it out!...

Stress crowds out our willingness to engage our deeper selves at work. So we miss the opportunity to really listen to people around us. It's not that we don't want to solve problems quickly and gain more confidence and loyalty. It's just that the busyness vortex drains our attentiveness...

Being spiritually connected at my inner core means I'm operating at my best. I find greater calm and confidence. There's this deeply satisfying sense of completeness. People at work respond more positively. Greater trust and productivity are the downstream results, especially in a group setting...

It's when we don't have all the answers that we get a glimpse of the power at our inner core. Digging deep exposes more of who we really are, despite the strain. Sand paper bringing out the strength of the grain. Success bringing the deep satisfaction of knowing that our journey really does have meaning. That's the best kind of joy...

The work week begins. Ahead lie your complex problems, your negotiations, your metrics, your career relationships, your slavery to busyness, your mind-numbing boredom, your need to exceed expectations…..

I'm stuck. I need something to change but I can't get the needle to move. Do you know the feeling? Some process, person or product just won't deliver the outcome I need...

Please pause your week. I have a question.

What is your heart telling you right now? That place at the center of your being, that inner spiritual core, what's it saying to you about your job when you listen to it? Is it silent? Is it inspired and enthusiastic? Is it nervous and a little afraid? What's it saying right now?...

The key to the growth of your organization lies in the attentiveness of leadership to the spiritual side of things. Not just being attentive to the inner core of self and others, not just working to preserve it, but consciously choosing to grow it. The business growth of the whole emanates from the inner core growth experience of the individuals..

Do you find fault with your boss, or people with power over you at work? If you answer no you're in a very small minority! We all have expressions for when the boss (or customer) doesn't meet our expectations. Here's a common one... colleagues. "Someone who is a great visionary and doesn't micromanage me, and this doesn't cut it."...

Trust Survey: Before your week begins, picture the close colleagues (or customers) you work with. For each, rate your level of trust that the relationship will be creative, collaborative and productive this week. Your Trust Index is the percentage of all close colleagues that you hold as high-trust and high-productivity. What's your score?...

Five days. By Friday, will you look back on a week of not being able to contribute all you can?
Or another week of your time out of control? The door to a life of balance and satisfying engagement lies within, at your inner spiritual core. Start your week by accepting this and planning to learn more about being spiritually engaged in your job...

When I let the external world drive my inner core - like glorifying busyness or greedily rushing into career change - I usually end up getting less reward and less fulfillment. Why is that? 

It's because the attitude we adopt at our inner spiritual core sets..

Scrub: To remove impurities (as in facial or body scrub)

Not polishing your CV but scrubbing it. If you take out the impurities in the work history you present to people, often caused by CV polishing, what are you left with? The real truth of who you are becoming...

Last week somebody said "A New Equilibrium is about Spiritual Business Leadership."

"No," someone else pointed out. "It's Spiritual Leadership of Business."

Confused, I got back to basics…

Can I ask if you are getting enough joy? Or is all the busy stuff getting in the way?

Ask people these days, "How's work going?" and somewhere in the response you'll hear things like "I'm so busy," or, "There's so much going on," or "There's no time to relax."  Do you say these things too? Be truthful!..

How do you picture your sphere of influence? Do you feel it's large enough to get you what you need?

Many people say theirs is not large enough, especially during periods of change in career or job. They believe what they need lies with others they may not even know. The problem is that they equate influence with control and believe only more control can resolve things. Their lack attitude creates a self-defeating downward spiral that goes nowhere and adds even more stress...

The hallmark of the spiritually connected leader is not simply service to others. First, comes service to self. How can any of us be an authentic leader without first living the God-connection of our own? It's from that humble and grateful vantage point that we fully appreciate the amazing spiritual power waiting to be revealed through others...

As a leader, cleansing your spiritual inner core at the beginning of interactions vastly increases the chances of a great outcome.

Imagine you are on your way to your team meeting and someone corners you in the hallway to criticize you and your team. After you part, your mind swirls with negative mental chitchat  - things like "I should have, I ought to, they mustn't, they can't," and so on...

Last week, I listened to business leaders talking about bringing more of their spirituality into their work.  Here are some real quotes of the week. See if any of them spark a new pathway for you as you start this week...