“Don’t drop the monkey on me” were the words that I heard from a CEO of a company. I looked at him puzzled and wondered what in the world did he mean? As the facilitator, I wasn’t sure where to go with this and then, he explained to a room…

Pounding feet, dozens of sneakers, sweat, conversation, and a buzz in the air! This is what I witnessed while teaching a class at an insurance company. During lunchtime I saw men and women walk past me, and then a few minutes later I saw the same people walk right by…

Scientists experimented with laboratory rats to measure their motivation to live under different circumstances. They dropped a rat into a jar of water that had been placed in total darkness, and they timed how long the animal would continue swimming before it gave up and allowed itself to drown. It…

I was teaching a class on how to have a brilliant year and took the participants through an exercise to eliminate their Brilliance Blockers – you know, things that prevent you from doing your best. One of the questions I asked this eager-beaver group was, “What do you need to…

When you made your first appearance in the world, you possessed the potential to be exceptional. I believe that we are all pre-wired to achieve, create, and produce amazing results. However, sometimes we disqualify ourselves through unplanned setbacks, limited thinking, and a lack of exposure.When I was in Bhutan a few months ago, I recognized a fire in the eyes of men and women who have taken personal inventory of their abilities and realize they are absolutely exceptional.As I talked with each of them, I realized that they would never settle for the status quo or accept the crumbs of opportunity when they could own the bakery. They had high Absolutely Exceptional (AE) factors.Here is the first of three distinct conditions that you can cultivate to increase your AE factor:

Recently, my friend Kyle Wilson invited me to join an inmate group in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., and spend two days with the effervescent Dr. Denis Waitley. This experience has been the highlight of the year for me. Dr. Waitley is 89 years young and the author of the best-selling book, The Psychology of Winning. He attended the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., and is the former chairman of psychology for the United States Olympic Committee’s Sports Medicine Council. Here are seven insights I learned from Dr. Waitley:

There are times in life when you meet a client that totally gets it. Signet Jewelers is that client. For them, employee experience is the top priority. Executive leadership models care and compassion for everyone. Meanwhile, the field executives are laser-focused on accountability while demonstrating empathy. Anyway, as we worked together over the next couple of days, Signet demonstrated three behaviors that confirmed that culture starts with love.

Reading is so important in acquiring knowledge. The older I become, the more I realize what I don’t know, and I make it an imperative to read on a daily basis. I am not asking you to give me a badge or trophy for reading. I want to encourage you to challenge those in your sphere of influence to read. I’ve curated a list of books that I’ve read over the last year that challenged me. I still continue to refer to them. Here are my favorites, which are a mix of personal development, leadership and business acumen, trauma, and sleep.

I’ve been thinking about cheetahs and hippos recently. My friend Kyle Wilson is a cheetah in his thinking, and I am at best a hippo. I don’t like change and prefer things to stay the same. Kyle, however, is always thinking and challenging the status quo. Recently, I joined Kyle’s mastermind group called “the inner circle.” Little did I know that when I said “yes” that I would be introduced to cheetah-like thinkers. After spending a full day at Kyle’s house surrounded by thirty other individuals, I realized that it was time to evolve in my thinking.

February 1st is a special for me. Every day on the right side of the ground is a brilliant day. Anytime you can wake up not pushing up daises is a great day. Twenty years ago I walked away from a daily free cup of coffee, a check, and a chair in cubicle farm to spark brilliance. Well, it still feels like day one and I am smiling bigger than a new baby. In a world of uncertainty, I’ve witnessed the power of holistic connectedness, human centeredness, and hope infusing individuals from all walks of life. Here are a few memorable moments that have been painted on the canvas in my mind that I just had to share with you. In this pictorial album of my soul, I hope you feel the energy, and exuberance of living without any regrets.

In life, you’ll have moments of bitter defeat. I invite you to review one of the five key takeaways: Leave it all on the field. When I was 15 years old growing up in Buffalo, I almost gave up. According to society, I am supposed to be dead, in jail, or on drugs, etc. Nevertheless, I am still here.I am a proud fan of the Buffalo Bills. They represent the spirit and pride of amazing people. Even though I haven’t lived in Buffalo for thirty years, I still bleed blue, red, and white. It’s our time, and it’s your time.

What’s there to learn about the mindset, skill set and willpower that allows them to achieve in any economy? How do they bounce back after a setback? What are the rituals, routines and revelations that allow them to flourish despite challenges? In a world where customers can buy anytime and in any way they like, sales professionals are moving faster, operating with more flexibility and putting significant emphasis on their mental health. Here are four tangible ways for you to have your best year ever:

What comes to mind when you hear Strawberries & Cream Bundtlet, Red Velvet Bundtlet, or Key Lime Bundtlet? Better yet, how do you feel when you hear 10,000 bites of joy?  Well, if you have a sweet tooth like me, then you probably know that I am talking about the pure joy of biting into a moist Nothing Bundt Cake (NBC).As much as I went to serve, I walked away with a new appreciation for a brand whose competitive edge is Joy!  Here are some of my key takeaways that you can explore in your own business:

Research says that the average worker will spend one-third of their lives in a place of business. I believe that if you are going to work, you might as well make it a fantastic experience.  Here are 13 lessons I've learned in my professional journey.

After 20 years of studying and working with best-in-class brands in multiple industries, I can tell you in a nano-second which companies are a cut above the rest. Take 5 is the bucket leader in the car wash industry. As a result of a series of acquisitions and mergers, they currently have 400 locations and are expanding quickly.  Let's see why this is the best place to work!

Thank goodness I’ve been able to experience another year around the sun. As a result, I’ve been reflecting on what I would tell my 40-year-old self about life, based on failure, successes, sadness, and joy.  

As a student of hospitality for the past 35 years, I am always excited to see how the best in class inspire their workforce. Recently, John Hart, a global senior director with Marriott Meetings & Events, invited me to share with the heart of the house. These 250 people managers are the magic behind Marriott’s Meetings & Events around the world.  

As I look back over the couple of decades since leaving Disney, I am convinced now more than ever before that being intentional about cultivating relationships is priceless.

The hardest person to manage is the person in the mirror. Always hold yourself to a higher standard of excellence.  Here's a few lessons I learned about how to manage transformation effectively.

I submitted one of my success guides to an international company for distribution. A few weeks later, a “Dear John” email arrived in my mailbox. It stated: “After careful review of the information submitted, it has been decided that our distribution enterprise WILL NOT be accepting your success guide.” The letter closed with, “All the best wishes for your success!”That email arrived not long after I received a rejection email from another major international distributor. The email said in part, “Simon, we will not pursue carrying your success book. It is not strong enough. Thank you for sharing it with us. Continued success!” Why was my book rejected?