Sunday at the Post

QUOTE/STORY OF THE WEEK...

“A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavour by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.” -- Washington Irving

Tribute to Mother

From Mother’s Day.com

Mothers are everything for us when we are small...our lives revolve around her. For everything that we need we call mother. To protect us from all perceivable dangers we want her around us. To take us out we hold her arms. To kiss away our wounds we run to her. And for a warm hug and love we look for her. She is the focal point of our lives, the greatest human being in the world or should we say divinity on earth. On the special occasion of Mothers Day pay tribute to your mother -- the greatest blessing of God on you.

On Mother’s Day, thank your Mother

There is simply no way we can ever really thank mother for all she has done for us. She is the one who will be awake all night when we are sick. Praying to God to make us well and be ever ready to bear the pain that we may be experiencing. She is the one to wake up early in the morning to make the nicest tiffin and endure all our tantrums. Mothers are the ones who would forever complain that we are not eating enough or not eating right. They would cook all sorts of things so that we be strong and healthy. Mothers, in fact, worry more for our examinations than we must. They would take pains to complete our school projects leaving all other works behind while we play around with friends or just while away time watching movies.

On Mother’s Day, apologize to your Mother

Mothers are the one on whom we put all the blame for our failures. We would not hesitate once to point her single faux pas though she would not miss even a slightest opportunity to praise us. Isn't it tough to imagine how she must have borne our temper tantrums when we were teenagers. And how hard we must have made her life by behaving so rude and difficult. And yet she was so astonishingly cool. It it easy for the kids to be so demanding from parents, especially mothers as we take her affection and care so much for granted. Most often to the extent of selfishness. Mother’s Day is the right time to apologize for all the troubles that we gave to our moms, without even realizing at most times how troublesome we must have been to her.

Celebrate Mother’s Day with your Dear Mother

Mother’s Day is the perfect day to celebrate the joys of having a mother. It is the time to make amends for not being able to spend quality time with her. So turn your wrongs right by making all efforts to give a perfect Mother’s Day to your mother. Think about her likes and dislikes about gifts and idea on celebration and act accordingly. Strive to make Mother’s Day absolutely hassle free for your mother and take the responsibilities on yourself for a day. Pamper her a little on this special day of hers just as she pampers you all the year round. Give her a warm hug and a big kiss as you wish her a…

Happy Mother’s Day to all

THINGS I HEARD AROUND THE NFL...

“All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That's his.” -- Oscar Wilde

1.  The first week in May, the expectations for news was low. Yet the week was extremely busy, starting with the release of JaMarcus Russell to the suspension of Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing.  The Cushing news was not a surprise at all. Everyone, although maybe not the Texans, knew Cushing had a reputation for dabbling in performance-enhancing drugs. In fact, back here in the great Garden State, Cushing’s home, the rumors started in high school. Now with the suspension, the past allegations -- whether true are or not -- now seem to have much more merit. In the draft last year, I was not a fan of Cushing for many reasons, starting with his body build and my lack of understanding his role on third down.

Even when the Texans drafted him in the first round, I was not impressed and said so in my columns or whenever I did radio in Houston.  Nonetheless, after the season he had, I had to eat crow each time I was on the radio. But I kept reminding everyone that injuries and other problems might prevent Cushing from being a consistent Pro Bowl player. I think he will now have to prove he can play well without stimulants that might enhance his overall skill set. One more positive test will result in a one-year suspension, and it will be fascinating to see his body development from this point forward. The Texans have to be concerned about the suspension considering Cushing will miss the first four games of the season, but also the impact this positive test will have on his future development. If I’m wrong about Cushing, I will have no problem admitting my mistake since the best way to grow as a personnel man is to learn from your mistakes. But I’m not ready to say I was wrong -- yet. 

2.  I like the trade that will be finalized tomorrow in which the Cowboys will send linebacker Bobby Carpenter to the Rams for tackle Alex Baron. To me, Baron me is never going to be a player. He has the same problems that have drove JaMarcus Russell out the league -- lack work habits, lack of preparation and an indifference toward being a good player. He will not solve the Cowboys’ problems at left tackle next year. 

3.  Speaking of Russell, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League own his rights, and if I were in their position, I would go to Mobile, Ala., where Russell makes his home, and start recruiting him to resurrect his career in the CFL. My sources tell me Russell will have a tough time finding a gig in the NFL -- maybe next offseason, but right now teams are moving forward with their players and seem unwilling to overlook the lack of dedication Russell displays. He’ll have to do something, anything, to win fans back, and going to the CFL is a way to begin the process. 

4.  Buffalo Bills head coach Chan Gailey announced last week at minicamp that he will have an open tryout for all three quarterbacks, with no preconceived notion about who will win the job. This thought process supports the John Madden belief that “when you have a lot of something you have nothing.” The Bills might have three names on the roster, but they don’t have three starters. 

5.  The Bills have to be serious about their intention to acquire Baltimore left tackle (but soon to be right tackle) Jared Gaither. Gaither will not be with the Ravens in 2011, so they’re moving Michael Oher to left tackle. Then, if they don’t trade Gaither, they’ll have him for their right tackle spot, albeit for just one year. The move makes sense for the Ravens, but what doesn’t make sense is to give away Gaither at a reduced price. The Bills received a first rounder for Jason Peters, so they know the market for a starting left tackle. The other issue with finalizing the trade is the fact that the Bills, or whichever team Gaither is traded to, must first agree to a new contract, and I hear Gaither is asking for a huge deal, which turns off a few teams.  And how can I talk about Buffalo without mentioning that last Friday would have been Tim Russert’s 60th birthday?

LEADERSHIP IMPROVEMENT IDEA...

“Few misfortunes can befall a boy which brings worse consequences than to have a really affectionate mother.” -- W. Somerset Maugham

The 50 Great Leadership Videos (Links can be found here, or at Mr. Bacharach’s website following the link below):

Samuel B. Bacharach on Nov 3, 2009

Leadership Skills

1. The importance of believing in your employees. Don’t second guess staff…constantly.

2. Emotional intelligence is vital for leaders. Here’s what to remember.

3. Employee engagement…can be compared to a dance party (scroll down).

4. Knute Rockne, one of Football’s greatest coaches, motivates his players (rare footage).

5. Motivating people can be hard. Sometimes you have to demand great work.

6. How NOT to motivate employees (Funny).

7. The challenge of being a proactive AND senior leader. Admiral Mike Mullen Explains.

8. When is madness visible in leadership? Or, what can Bogart teach us about leading?

9. The role of Ego in leadership. A fine line between helpful and hurtful.

10. Desmond Tutu discusses servant leadership.

11. Richard Feynman tells us to never make assumptions and to always doubt norms.

12. Feynman, in a different interview, tells us that there is nothing in a name and new methods are always needed.

13. Some ideas on how to communicate your vision and agenda by American Chef John Besh.

14. Passion plays a vital role in leadership. This is why it’s important.

15. Leading positively can lead to proactive change in your business.

16. Leadership and social media. How can leaders use social media?

17. Social media’s power and force explained. Leaders have to familiarize themselves with social media before it’s too late.

18. Cloud computing is the future. Leaders need to stay ahead of the curve.

19. Here’s a light look on social media’s ability to bring people together…and create.

20. Not on Twitter yet? Learn about it and think about ways it can help you connect with employees.

21. A quick, fun, explanation of Google Wave.

22. The advantages of digital text–with explanation. Great for bloggers.

23. What’s the status of your 2.0 identity?

Execution

24. Getting things done while minimizing stress. (Download link)

25. Passing the buck. Watch John Adams get Jefferson to write the Declaration of independence.

26. The dangers of micro-managing. Inept employees are bad hires.

27. Charisma can turn into madness. Look at Shakespeare’s Henry V.

28. Majora Carter tells her story of how she initiated change in the South Bronx with little help and little money.

29. Chef Gordan Ramsey explains the importance of turning something negative into something positive.

30. How NOT to negotiate. Hat tip to Monty Python.

31. Get them on your side by showing your staffers you will go the distance.

32. Woody Allen reminds us not to forget our negotiation priorities.

33. By studying our tribal tendencies we can figure out how we get things done.

34. The challenges women face in the business world. Great interview with Pepsi CEO Indra Nooyi.

35. Standing up for your ideas in the face of criticisms. It involves commitment and desire.

Agenda Development

36. Rory Sutherland talks about adding subjective value to products, ideas, and things. Use these ideas the next time you want to add value to your agenda.

37. Just because you have failed before doesn’t mean you are bad. Just ask Michael Jordan.

38. J.B. Jeyaretnam discusses the Worker’s Party and his contrary agenda.

39. Developing an agenda that will transform the system can be a challenge (with some laughs along the way). A interview with Michelle Rhee.

Inspiration

40. Colin Powell leadership advice–in 13 easy points.

41. What’s the value of your work? Looking for integrity in work.

42. The 4 hour work week can leave you a lot of time for the things you love. Think it can work? (Download video).

43. Are you a leader that feels problems out? Jackson Pollock does as well.

44. Here are 10 laws of simplicity to help you organize your workload and life.

45. Tips on storytelling from NPR’s Scott Simon. Great for learning how to connect with employees and clients.

46. 5 Strategies to handle criticisms.

47. Paul Rand discusses the aesthetics of work and design. Great lessons to be learned.

48. The importance of creating meaning in your business.

49. Use your fear to help you inspire change.

50. Great video about life, learning, and growing directed by Baz Luhrmann.

In Memoriam

Robert Boland, our colleague here at the National Football Post, lost his father Tom yesterday. All of us here at the Post extend our deepest sympathies to Bob’s entire family. Our heart and prayer are with you.

ARTICLES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED THAT AREN’T WORTH MISSING...

“I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.” -- Abraham Lincoln

Rick Gosselin has a great NFL column on Tim Tebow and the rest of the NFL...

Local boy with cancer turns into a superhero for a day

New Frontier as a Lacrosse Coach Goes West

STORIES TO SHARE....

“A mother is not a person to lean on, but a person to make leaning unnecessary.” -- Dorothy Canfield Fisher

Mother’s Day – an inspiring story about mother

A man stopped at a flower shop to order some flowers to be wired to his mother who lived 200 miles away.

As he got out of his car, he noticed a young girl sitting on the curb sobbing.?He asked her what was wrong and she replied, "I wanted to buy a red rose for my mother. But I only have 75 cents and a rose costs $2."

The man smiled and said, "Come on in with me. I'll buy you a rose."

He bought the little girl her rose and ordered his own mother flowers. As they were leaving, he offered the girl a ride home. She said, "Yes, please! You can take me to my mother."

She directed him to a cemetery, where she placed the rose on a freshly dug grave.

The man returned to the flower shop, canceled the wire order, picked up a bouquet and drove the 200 miles to his mother's house.

Follow me on Twitter: michaelombardi

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