Ellipsis Advisor

Doing your best is good enough

There was a man who wanted to transcend his suffering so he went to a Buddhist temple to find a Master to help him.  He went to the Master and asked “Master, if I meditate for four hours a day, how long will it take for me to transcend?” The Master looked at him and

Kindergarten

When I speak to Executives about the importance of empathy in business, one of the ways I talk about that is to say that the same skills that we need to teach our children to stand up in the kindergarten playground with courage to bullying, are the skills that great leaders need to assure we

Managing through storms…with empathy

There are times when it seems that all the management experience we have seems to be tested to the limit. When total chaos reigns and the things we know to do, the things we do instinctively through years of experience seem to be nowhere near enough. And yet, at those very moments, true leaders shine.

The Artist’s Tao – XIX Doubt

From The Artist’s Tao by Sean Starr XIX Doubt “Silence your doubts. This is the largest obstacle in finding your artistic voice. Learn to ignore it like the sound of a neighbor’s dog barking. You cannot be your own critic”   Once you have made the decision, once you have set the course, it is

Reminiscing on Broken Neck Day

Nine years ago today, I had my operation after I broke my neck jumping cliffs while skiing in Squaw Valley. I was unbelievably lucky and have counted my blessings every day that I survived that accident and was able to continue living a productive, healthy life. About two years ago, when I started having complications

Guest Blog – Krupa Patel, age 21 social entrepreneur

I am a social activist & entrepreneur dedicated to stimulating innovation geared for positive social change. I continuously strive towards self-improvement and am dedicated to mobilizing others to realize & fulfill their potential so to heighten their contribution to the world. I initially became interested in the alleviation of poverty from first hand exposure to

Don’t get intoxicated by your own perfume

No matter how many times you’ve been there No matter how many times you have faced a similar issue No matter how simple it seems No matter how urgent No matter how much this is right up your alley Situations are fluid. As many similarities to the past you see, there are new variables. Don’t

At the end of the day that is what it is all about

Three years ago this week, I was hospitalized in Hong Kong for a virus I contracted. For 4 days, it was pretty rough going as they searched for an antibiotic that could fight the virus. I was away from my family, in Hong Kong. But, what I remember: My Hong Kong Agility team coming to

Let a thought just be a thought

I was talking to my client, Tina Alencar. Tina is a University Student starting her own social enterprise, UnI Social Club. We were discussing how people (leaders too!) feel compelled to always take thoughts and act on them, build on them… to create opportunities or results. Tina, who has been meditating a lot longer than

Sir Richard Branson Quotes

Adventure and Fun “A business has to be involving, it has to be fun, and it has to exercise your creative instincts.” “Customers shouldn’t just think of your business as a place to buy a product or use a service — it should be a fun place to be.” “First and foremost, any business proposal