Knowledge + Experience = Wisdom

Knowledge + Experience = Wisdom

“Mr. Munro,” the receptionist says, startling me out of my mental preparation. “He’s ready for you.” I stand up and follow her into a large office.  It’s game time. It’s December 22, 1998, and I’m interviewing for my first post-Navy job. It’s for a leadership...
Life Lessons Learned from a Job at Ralphs

Life Lessons Learned from a Job at Ralphs

It’s 3:50 AM, and I’m standing outside the Ralphs grocery store on 17th Street in Santa Ana, CA. My first day on the job. A month or so ago, my mom came home from grocery shopping at that same Ralphs and discovered she had been undercharged a few dollars. She...
Don’t Trip Over Your Ego

Don’t Trip Over Your Ego

It’s 9:50 AM and I’m getting a little nervous. I’m wrapping up my one-hour breakout session on How to Fix a Poor Performer and Turn Them into a Superstar at the 2016 HR Florida conference in Orlando. This session is based on my most recent book and as soon as my...
A Little Appreciation Goes a Long Way

A Little Appreciation Goes a Long Way

It’s December 5, 1983, at 5:30 in the evening and I’m on a bus traveling from Los Angeles down to San Diego. The day started early.  I woke up at 3:00 AM and quietly left the house I grew up in for the last time. As a boy anyway.  I’m on my way to Navy boot camp.  I...
Just a Little Encouragement

Just a Little Encouragement

I’m sorting through a plastic bag filled with old papers, booklets, brochures, newspaper clippings, and photos.  My eyes are watering, not because anything is sentimental, but because it’s so dusty. This is a bag of Malcolm’s Greatest Hits according to my mom.  She...
I Can Do This

I Can Do This

It’s 4:00 in the afternoon and I’m standing in a long line of people waiting for a ride.  It’s noisy and chaotic.  I’m just excited to be heading home. My driver’s name is Shirley and she’s picking me up in a green Ford truck. Everyone around me is finding their ride...