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As wheels went up for the eight-hour flight to Munich, Germany, followed by a layover and another flight to Prague, Czech Republic, I exhaled thinking, wow, finally, we really are on vacation! I had planned it, booked it, talked about it, and pictured it for nearly a year. But as we soared to cruising altitude I wondered, are any of us really on vacation anymore?

We turn the away message on but continue to check email. We say we have limited if any access to voicemail, then quickly respond to messages or have someone do it for us. It is the world we live in and responding regardless of what continent we are on is expected if only to reiterate we are away and will deal with whatever must be addressed when we return. It makes me wonder if we’ve become incapable of truly relaxing. Are we ever really able to check out anymore? [Read more…] about Even when the away message is on, you’re never off

As “American Idol” is poised to name its next idol, it’s a good time to talk about what a reality television show that turns ordinary people into superstars can teach us about leadership.

Like Walt Disney, who was fired by a newspaper editor because he “lacked imagination and had no good ideas,” or Albert Einstein, who was once labeled “mentally slow,” strong-willed contestants are often people who refuse to let what others say about them define their reality. [Read more…] about Put your heart into what you do and people will respond