In these stories Dr. Jim Maddox shares authentically from his own experience and relates that back to life-affirming organizations. Filled with humor, optimism and mindfulness, Friday Food for Thought is the perfect way to end your week.
Three years ago, I was scheduled to give a TED Talk at the Organization Development Network conference in Chicago. I had been sending in proposals for several years and finally got a presentation accepted. Then, 3 days before the conference was to begin, I...
It’s interesting where your mind wanders when you are traveling on an open highway. Thoughts of the weather, the rustling of the wind around the car, getting lost in random thoughts. Wondering where the last 50 plus years have gone. Some memories leaking from the...
I remember years ago when my middle son, David, came home from kindergarten in tears because someone had called him a name. His mom, trying to console him, said, “Those are just words, they can’t hurt you.” David innocently replied, “But they do.” His innocence...
Anyone who has studied strategy is familiar with Michael Porter’s 5 Forces of Competition. It is part of every Strategic Management Book and is the foundation of many strategic plans. Organizations spend a great deal of time analyzing their competition and devising...
These thoughts represent some reflections from a summer road trip from several years ago. I think there are some relevant connections to organizational and personal change. • There are kind helpful people everywhere• You can get a good night sleep in the backseat...
We like to believe that we don’t need anyone else to be successful. “He is a self-made man.” Stories about about rugged individualism. Our society tends to downplay the role of community and the good of the whole and celebrates the success of what is perceived to be...
I recently spent a couple of days and nights in a historic, haunted hotel. It is nice to get away for a few days to de-stress heading into the holiday season. We stay at the Crescent Hotel. It is an elegant place that first opened in 1886. The hotel rises high...
It is always interesting to have a conversation with someone and hear them talk about how ethical their organization is despite news to the contrary. The person will often describe how they have a detailed code of ethics and have mandatory ethics training. ...
Life's Wake-up Calls It took two days in the cardiac unit of Mercy hospital, a heart cath, a compassionate talk with the cardiologist, and unconditional love from my fiancé to finally let go of something that was slowly going to kill me. Hanging onto grief, continuing...
Comfortable Careers Years ago, as I was finishing up my dissertation work for my Ph.D. I began to contemplate what might be my next steps. I had been going to school since I was 5 and it was dawning on me that I would for the first time in my 31 years of life not be...
Some of the most intellectually stimulating conversations used to occur on my morning and evening commute. I had about 30 minutes in the car to and from my office. That was one hour of the day to engage in questions, observations, and reflections on life. Many...
I began my professional life employed as a compensation analyst in what was then known as the Personnel Department. I remember when we made this (attempted) cultural shift to rebrand ourselves as the Department of Human Resources. Throughout my professional life, I...