1: Scott had been diagnosed with prostate cancer several years before. But now the cancer had returned to his lymph nodes and bones, and he was in constant pain.
Scott’s wife, Susan, reached out to Diane Button, an end-of-life doula—someone who provides emotional and practical support to people who are dying and their families. This role is similar to that of a birth doula, but for end-of-life care.
“Scott didn’t … continue reading
In honor of Presidents’ Day next week, I’m sharing several posts this week on Abraham Lincoln, one of my favorite leaders of all time.
1: “In the early days of the American Civil War,” Ryan Holiday writes in his terrific book Stillness is the Key, “there were a hundred competing plans for how to secure victory and whom to appoint to do it.
“From every general and for every … continue reading
In honor of Presidents’ Day next week, I’m going to share several posts on Abraham Lincoln this week.
1: “Because he has become more myth than man, most people are unaware that Abraham Lincoln battled crippling depression his entire life,” writes Ryan Holiday in The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph.
“Known at the time as melancholy, his depression was often debilitating and profound—nearly … continue reading
In honor of Presidents’ Day next week, I’m going to share several posts on Abraham Lincoln this week.
1: Following the defeat at Gettysburg, Robert E. Lee and his Confederate Army retreated toward the refuge of Virginia.
“At that moment Lee was more vulnerable than ever before,” write Raymond Kethledge and Michael Erwin in Lead Yourself First. “Lee’s remaining troops were in enemy country, disoriented by defeat, and … continue reading
In honor of Presidents’ Day next week, I’m going to share several posts on Abraham Lincoln this week.
1: Eleven days after the Union victory at Gettysburg and ten days after General Ulysses S. Grant’s crucial triumph at Vicksburg, Abraham Lincoln suffered what was likely his most gut-wrenching setback as commander-in-chief during the Civil War.
At Gettysburg, Robert E. Lee “had been forced to relinquish the battlefield for the first … continue reading
1: Diane Button had been living in Nashville for only a year when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“Whether it was divine providence or sheer luck, during a time when our family truly needed help,” Diane writes in her book What Matters Most: Lessons the Dying Teach Us About Living, “people showed up from almost everywhere.”
One afternoon, while recovering from surgery and starting chemotherapy, Diane heard … continue reading
1: Panera Bread founder Ron Shaich prides himself on being a contrarian.
“If everyone is in favor of something, I’m probably headed in the opposite direction,” Ron writes in his terrific book Know What Matters: Lessons from a Lifetime of Transformations.
“When others are celebrating, I’m worrying, and when others are worrying, I’m looking for the silver lining.”
Does he just enjoy being disagreeable?
Nope. That’s not it.
“It’s … continue reading
Ron Shaich, the influential founder and longtime CEO of Panera Bread, earned a reputation for his impactful talks that shaped the company’s direction.
“While every speech I gave was different, the underlying storyline was always the same,” Ron reflects in his book Know What Matters.
“Here’s where we’ve come from. . . Here’s where we are today. And here’s where we could be tomorrow—if we get a few … continue reading
1: As CEO of Panera Bread, Ron Shaich would sometimes walk around the conference room table and stand behind one of his executives.
“Placing my elbows on their shoulders, I’d lean forward, letting them feel my weight,” Ron writes in his book Know What Matters.
“You’re going to get this done, right?” I’d ask, all the while pressing down on their shoulders. “Do you feel the weight of that … continue reading
1: Panera founder and CEO Ron Shaich looked out over Boston’s beautiful public gardens.
He was having breakfast with his friend Bill Allen, who had recently been named CEO of Bloomin’ Brands, the company that had created the Outback Steakhouse restaurants.
Bill wanted Ron’s advice: “How the hell do you run a public company like this?”
“I didn’t pull any punches,” Ron writes in his book Know What Matters: … continue reading
