Author: Doug Brown

“Well then, you have that to look forward to.” Years before I ever met Chet, I was sitting at a family gathering with my step-grandmother.  Genevieve was a lovely and extremely bright woman.  A former curator at the Chicago Historical Society Museum, she could easily be described as “well-read,” because she was.  Despite her age (she lived to … Continue reading Day 214 – How to read and write…

Hello!  It’s a true pleasure to take the reins for the month of August.  Following Kitty is no easy task.  But as I turned the page in Chet’s Becoming Built to Lead masterpiece, the title of today’s rant was a flashing, neon, CCD signal that my turn had arrived — “Day 213:  Dumbass…”   BTW, the blog entries you’ve been … Continue reading Day 213 – Dumbass…

By the rude bridge that arched the flood, Their flag to April's breeze unfurled, Here once the embattled farmers stood And fired the shot heard round the world. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson And so began the open armed conflict between Great Britain and the thirteen colonies, just as the sun was rising at Lexington, on … Continue reading Bold AND brave…

I love the Bulls, but I don't drink Redbull. And I'm not exactly afraid of monsters, but I don't drink Monster either. I do, however, love energy shots. And I've chugged two of them in the last 18 hours. The first came in the form of a BTL practice last night. 29 up-and-coming leaders allowed … Continue reading Energy drinks…

Like many kids, my teenage daughter has had dozens of coaches growing up. But two stand head and shoulders above the rest – her tae kwon do instructor, who coached her for six years, and her tennis coach, going on nine. Both are masters of their trade, having dedicated their entire lives to building champions … Continue reading No limits…

Today’s client visit was particularly energizing. A client had invited me to attend a graduation at his company before our scheduled meeting. I’ve not been to very many graduations. A couple of my own. My daughter’s 8th grade. A few nieces & nephews. A cousin or two. I even got to speak at one once. … Continue reading Energy boost…

Tonight we took our usual drive. But, tonight, for the first time in a long time, it was a cool & comfortable 70 degrees at 8:30p, so the top was down and our hands were up. We LOVE these drives, my son and I. They are among his, and my, favorite form of being with … Continue reading Actions speak louder…

“A master in the art of living draws no sharp distinction between his work and his play; his labor and his leisure; his mind and his body; his education and his recreation. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence through whatever he is doing, and leaves others to determine … Continue reading A Master…