By taking the time to understand those who have trodden the ground before us, we can lay out a smoother path to the future.

A story on the steps of the National Archives to help prepare for the future.

What did Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Cicero, and Andy Ferrara have in common? One trait that defines the emotionally intelligent leader.

Success isn't just about the avoidance of risk; there are consequences either way. Are you prepared to be judged for not doing enough?

Why define yourself by what you do?

Why the human mind gets caught up in the complex when it really wants simplicity: a lesson from Alan Mulally at Ford Motor Company.

Look for inspiration everywhere you can. But do it with a sense of curiosity and wonder.

Why focus on the transaction when there's so much more value in the relationship?

This 112 year-old company was head of its time. It had a secret weapon that can still be used today.

What happens when the market knows you for one thing, and you don't deliver on that one thing? Or even worse, when you take your attention off of that one thing and instead focus on doing the right thing?    The answer is, of course, your stock tanks. Seems rather perverse. Perhaps a little integrity is needed upfront so investors know exactly what they're in for.    Other updates/commentary: ScottMonty.com    I'd be honored if you'd leave a rating or review for the show. You'd be...

It's all about taking the resistance out of the experience.

Loyalty can't be bought. Because if it is. it can be purchased away by someone else. You have to gain trust first, and we have a handful of ways to get there.

Whether you want to or not, you're living a digital life. Is that a good thing? The answer lies with Shakespeare.

There are more activists than ever, and your company is at risk of becoming a victim to them. Here's how to consider creating a bridge to the stakeholder activists closest to you.

What can Tom and Daisy Buchanan from The Great Gatsby tell us about brands and influencers today? A brief look at lessons from the Great American novel.

It's never easy to turn the fortunes around on a brand that is experiencing apathy. But is trickery the way to do it?

The loss of a friend spurs a thought on what we can do to create joy for others on a regular basis.

It's time to reclaim our brains. One of the Seven Virtues holds the answer - as does the New York Public Library.

Whether you're a business, an executive, or a celebrity, saying you're sorry isn't enough any more. The stakes are higher.

We're often asked to take sides on issues - and typically it's one of two sides. But if we look closely, often times there are more options. And there's the ability to take on a new perspective that can inform the decision making process.

There are moments when we're isolated - or at least feel that way. How a medical procedure made me think differently.

Every day, we're presented with opportunities. Choices between doing what's merely expedient and doing what's right. Lawmakers pass bills to ensure that companies don't overstep the boundaries of decency, and try to protect the citizenry. But it doesn't always take legal action to ensure we do the right things. It's necessary to have an understanding of corporate social responsibility and its impact beyond the surface level of marketing, communications and reputation management. Which means...

You likely heard about the United Airlines leggings issue that popped up earlier this week. While it was unfortunate for the brand, especially given its reputation issues, it was entirely avoidable. There are a variety of issues that sprung forth from the incident that tell us a great deal about ourselves as a society. But none more so than the continued affirmation that this is a post-factual age and brands need to update their thinking in order to survive it.   Links Be sure to check out...

The four human desires (acquisitiveness, rivalry, vanity and love of power) were our topics the last time around. In this episode, we go a little further, diving into two key human conditions: fear and greed. In doing so, we pick apart the motivating factors behind using these as emotional drivers in marketing. Erik Deckers contributed to this essay, adapting a post from his site ProBlogService.com. He is the author of Branding Yourself and No Bullsh*t Social Media and served as the...

Try as we might, we can't escape from our past, from the visceral nature of what it means to be human. Advances in communication, technology, and living conditions may separate us from our ancestors, but deep down, we want the same things. We look at the four human desires as outlined by Bertrand Russell in his acceptance speech for the 1950 Nobel Prize in Literature, showing that while we can't overcome them, we can use them for good.   Links Be sure to check out other major stories from ...