If anyone has made the trip to the United States Military Academy at West Point you are aware that you take exit 17 at Newburgh off the NYS Thruway. As I was passing the exit this past week en route to Allentown, PA to seminar to a group of executives, I reflected on the phrase we commonly used at West Point during this time of year, “Gloom Period”. Gray buildings, gray skies, gray uniforms, gray skin complexions, and gray weather all contributed to a feeling of depression and a yearning for ....

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There have been many moments where I have witnessed the warmth, graciousness and hospitality of human beings, and my recent experience in the Peoples Republic of China this past week took that appreciation for those encounters to a new level. I was invited to share my “No Excuse!” message with approximately 1800 government and business officials in the city of Zuxhou, Jiang Su Province, a city of 9.5 million people, 375 miles south of Beijing. It would be my first visit to China and as I was ....

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As I was sitting at my desk mulling over a topic to share with you this week, the following email popped up on my monitor. “It is with sadness that we announce the death of Capt. Paul Pena, 27, USMA class of 2004. He was killed supporting Operation Enduring Freedom on Jan. 19 in Arghandab River Valley, Afghanistan. He died of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th ....

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How many of us are in the throes of making important decisions personally, professionally, and in turn possibly life changing? There have been numerous times in my life, and yours, where decisions have had to be made in regard to careers, relationships, residences, investments, family, children and other realms of life responsibilities that have significantly impacted our happiness, fulfillment and contentment. What are the primary factors that formulate a correct decision? What influences ....

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As we reflect on this past year and look forward to the future, I would like to propose a slightly different resolution for the New Year. A resolution defined by improving how we as citizens ethically behave and demonstrate respect towards one another, resulting in countering a social trend toward unethical normalcy. I believe we are teetering on a precipice of significant moral challenge. It appears there is continued movement towards an acceptance that behaviors such as cheating, lying, ....

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