The sky and the sea are blue. We speak of “the ocean blue” and “nothing but blue skies.” Blue makes us feel comfortable. The color blue is everywhere and it has a certain effect on us, depending on its shade. Let’s explore the many ways something – this time, a color - can be used in business and life, deftly weaving our water theme as we typically do, shall we?

Did you know that every March 22nd is World Water Day? That’s today and it is about supporting the maintenance of fresh water in a sustainable way. The United Nations has marked and observed this day since 1993. I only recently found out about this day and it makes me wonder about water.

Today I’d like to discuss one of the most important aspects of business and life – one which is all too often discounted or ignored. When it is present, you feel it, though it's hard to put words to it; when it's not present, you feel its absence and wonder how you lost it. It is only one word, but it means so much.

Feels like an unusual title this time, doesn’t it? Well, curious times often call for creative thinking and new perspectives. With business and life potentially headed for uncharted waters and many of us not having felt this way before, how does one cope and what can be found?

Tomorrow, for a brief 19-day period, we will all feel as one as we admire the thrills of victory and glean the lessons of defeat. Yes, every couple of years much of the world focuses its attention on a variety of athletic competitions, this time winter ones ranging from the well-known such as Cross-Country Skiing to the practically obscure Nordic Combined - where an athlete has to be an outstanding ski jumper and cross-country skier. What do these 15 events of the Olympics have to do with your business and life?

Many of our friends aren’t feeling great in their jobs these days. There is a palpable lack of fulfilment and satisfaction at work for many and that has led to a drought of vim felt around the office, domestic or otherwise. What does it mean? And what’s the creative water analogy?

Ever feel like you should reflect and review on the year but just don’t want to do it? If you are like me, you may have felt that way recently too. Why look in the mirror and deal with what you find, even if you know it is good for you? Let’s take a critical view and see what emerges from internal reflection, shall we?

“O God, thy sea is so great and my boat is so small,” opens an old Breton fisherman's prayer. But today, the sea has grown into an ocean and our boat has shrunk down to a canoe. What to do? Discover keen insights about yourself and others. Why not use personality tests to empower yourself and your team at work? They come in handy with our colleagues, not to mention those close to us whom we’ll be dining with on Thursday.

November is here, and naturally it is time to begin expressing gratitude for everything in our lives. Each of us feels a sense of thankfulness for all that’s been given to us throughout the year. This is felt from now through the end of the year, especially when many gifts are exchanged in December. It is predictable, and with it comes all the stories in the media talking about the difference gratitude makes. But what if we are actually missing the boat on gratitude? What might be found?

Recently, you could feel it. Many of us around the world felt our focus drift into the sea. How could that be? After all, success was flowing, we were riding the crest and beauty was truly present, found in all our various and wonderful endeavors. What happened to knock us off our game?

Fall brings about certain feelings in each of us. This time between summer and winter allows for personal reflection - the fun in the sun just passed, and the falling leaves and snowfall await. It is part of a natural cycle in life, full of emotion. How does this phenomenon affect your work? Do you happen to be feeling misty today?

All living things need water to grow. One way or another, in all endeavors, water is a required input for growth. And water can take lots of different forms. Every day, we use a product of water to learn and grow. Can you guess what that might be?

How do you feel about bubbles? Just saying the word brings a smile to my face. Bubbles! Bubbles bring about a feeling of joy. Maybe because as kids we enjoyed fun bubble baths? Maybe it is because bubbles can float in the air for a fleeting moment with timeless beauty and a connection to the eternal? Whatever the reason, bubbles are all around us.

There are many lessons you learn for the first time as an intern. While at Agile Rainmakers over the winter, I quickly learned the importance of knowing what the client expects you to deliver. Returning to Agile Rainmakers as a private equity intern this summer, I learned that auditors do not change the valuation of companies until they raise a new round of funding, which can hide changes to a firm’s value in financial reports. Here, I cover three key lessons I learned about communication and clarity through my internship.

The sun just barely starts to peak over the horizon of the Pacific Ocean – its golden light warms a thick layer of billowing clouds floating in the far-off morning sky. The sound of the ocean swelling and breaking on the shoreline is tranquil and beautiful, but dangerous and powerful at the same time. It’s a meditative juxtaposition that’s reminiscent of the balance required for surfing – and my summer internship at Agile Rainmakers.

We live and work in a technology-driven, progress-seeking world. So, how does one define progress for themselves every day? And how does this affect our workdays and personal lives?

Just as small streams flow into larger streams or rivers, so do college students flow into the wonderful world of business as interns. The point where a small stream meets a larger stream is called the confluence. Let’s examine this phenomenon as it relates to aspiring business leaders of the future, otherwise known as interns

Last night I attended a spectacular rooftop 50th birthday party here in Chicago. Upon entering, I gazed upon one of the most amazing rainbows I’ve ever seen or felt. What a lovely surprise! Naturally, it reminded me of some powerful business concepts. What benefits for your career and life can be found in a rainbow?

With each morning's sunrise, the daily impact of the global pandemic keeps dropping precipitously here in North America. As this is happening, what are you noticing about yourself and others as the economy fully reopens? Is everyone sailing peacefully along these newly freed up waters of life with a sense of gratitude? Or is everyone driving their speedboats at full-throttle? Perhaps now is the time to think from see one, do one, teach one.

Viewing the pandemic newly can open up ideas for success. One idea is to inquire into what it takes to have success flow like a waterfall in your life. In addition to figuring out what it takes, perhaps more importantly, how do you keep it up?