Category Archives: Personal development

Out With The Old, In With The New

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Al Watts

A new year lends itself naturally to reflection and planning, leading for some to make resolutions. My reflections and resolutions revolved mainly around what to let go of and what to make room for – what’s “out” and what’s “in.”  … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Innovation, Integrity, Leadership, Performance, Personal development, Self Awareness, Values | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Does Work Make You “Seasick?”

Posted on November 27, 2012 by Al Watts

Recently a colleague shared her distress with the turmoil, continuous change and what seemed like unrealistic expectations at her workplace. As she described the conditions and her reactions, I couldn’t help thinking how similar they were to those of mates … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Leadership, Performance, Personal development, Sailing and outdoors, Teamwork | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Adventure Learning in the BWCA

Posted on October 24, 2012 by Al Watts

As summer transitioned to fall not long ago, it was time for our annual adventure in the BWCA. (For those farther afield, Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area is over a million acres of waterways and forest on the Canadian border, … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Leadership, Personal development, Self Awareness, Teamwork | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Compounded Errors

Posted on July 23, 2012 by Al Watts

Once again this season, our sloop LOON is serving up life and leadership lessons, and in unexpected ways.  The first this year began when a charterer reported a small fresh water leak at the base of LOON’s toilet – by … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership, Personal development, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

A Word About The Wise

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Al Watts

by Al Watts and Lola Fredrickson Who’s the wisest person you know?  Why does that person come to mind, and what are some characteristics of other wise people you know? Competency, skills and expertise are desirable, but cannot take the … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Leadership, Personal development | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Four Stories of a Leader

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Al Watts

by Bill Gjetson (This month’s guest author is Bill Gjetson, who shares my belief that stories play an important role shaping a leader’s and organization’s identity.  After a 30 year career in Human Resources  with Caterpillar, Bill is now engaged … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership, Personal development, Values | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Recipe for Success in 2012

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Al Watts

We pulled out a time-honored family recipe over the holidays, and that got me thinking about what a recipe for success in 2012 might be.  I tried to follow the criteria for most good recipes: they should be relatively simple … Continue reading →

Posted in Integrity, Leadership, Performance, Personal development | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

My Left Hand

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Al Watts

This article is brought to you by my left hand (I’m right-handed) – courtesy of a torn rotator cuff and surgery a few weeks ago.  I am a firm believer that almost any hardship, unfamiliar situation or adventure offers lessons … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership, Performance, Personal development | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments