Congratulations are in order!

When we hear about folks we've worked with over the years be recognized for their outstanding leadership we can't help but do a little happy dance for them. 

And tell you about it in our newsletter!

Because when great leaders are doing great things, it can be incredibly inspiring for the rest of us. 

Dr. Sam Buenrostro and Melissa Doberstein have been part of the "Diamond6 Family" for many years now and we are proud of their recent achievements!
 

Dr. Sam Buenrostro named Superintendent of the Year by the California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators

Sam is the superintendent at Corona-Norco Unified School District in California, where he has resided for 32 years. He has served in numerous roles over the past 23 years in CNUSD, including Deputy Superintendent in Human Resources and Instructional Support. Sam has been attending the Gettysburg Workshop with his team every summer for nearly 10 years now! We have watched Sam take on various leadership roles over the years with incredible skill and keen awareness. He and the entire team at CNUSD have been by our side since the beginning! READ MORE HERE.

Melissa Doberstein named a Penn State University Administrative Fellow for the 2023/2024 Academic Year

Melissa is the program director at the Presidential Leadership Academy (PLA) in the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State University. In this program, select students develop leadership fundamentals to thrive in an environment in which multiple dimensions of an issue are explored, and diverse viewpoints are welcomed and heard. Melissa and her students have participated in the Pearl Harbor Leadership Workshop in Hawaii for several years now. Quite an undertaking that she sees through with ease, grace, and fine-tuned leadership. Working with these students has been a highlight for us! READ MORE HERE.

Sam and Melissa show that leaders must be life long learners and that growth is not only possible, but essential. 

We look forward to seeing the positive impact these incredible leaders have on their organizations and students in the coming years!

"I thought I was just a lunch lady."

6 days in Gettysburg.
3 school district.
100 participants.
1 rain day.

Welcome to the Diamond6 summer workshops!

We're only halfway through June and we have already hosted 100 participants from three different school districts for our Gettysburg Leadership Workshops. 

This is truly our favorite time of year. 

Working with educators and school district staff is incredibly rewarding. 

Their energy, commitment, and desire to do right by their students and communities is inspiring, to say the least. 

In every group we hear lightbulb moments and insights that remind us why we do what we do. 

Here is one example....

One of the big messages we try to convey is that EVERYONE is a leader, no matter their title. 

At the end of the first day at Gettysburg last week a participant approached Jeff and said, 

"Until now I always thought of myself as just the lunch lady.....

....but now I realize that I'm a leader, and an important part of this team."

Yes, yes, YES!

If she doesn't lead her team to successfully get lunch prepared and served, thousands of students and staff won't eat lunch. 

For some kids this is their best meal of the day. 

Without a midday meal teachers can't teach, and students can't learn. 

The lunch lady is a leader and absolutely ESSENTIAL!

We have heard many different versions of the "I'm just a lunch lady" statement over the years. 

"I'm just a second grade teacher."
"I'm just a secretary."
"I'm just a new employee."

It's time to nix "just" from our vocabulary - for ourselves and for those we lead. 

The second grade teacher is a leader and role model to their students and fellow teachers. 

The secretary is leading their boss and the face of the office who often carries critical historical knowledge about the organization. 

The new employee leads their peers and brings a fresh perspective into the organization that can inspired important change. 

Do you use JUST to describe yourself sometimes?

I challenge you to drop that word and reframe your description. 

And when someone around you says, "I'm just a ......" stop them right away and tell them they are a leader and they are essential to the team!

By dropping this one little word we are reminded of our intrinsic value and the important role we play in accomplishing our organizations mission. 

Let us know your "just" description and how you're going to reframe it!

Building Trust Within Your Team

We've heard it again and again from our workshop participants.

And, the research supports it. 

Money is not enough to keep good employees working for you AND engaged in their work. 

Leaders are being challenged to get to know their employees needs, and meet them with creative solutions. 

The people who work for you want to be treated like humans, not like robots.

Life and work are now becoming closely intertwined, for better or worse.

This evolution is bringing even more needed attention to what employees really want, and need, to be successful at work. 

In the last few years flexible work hours and mix of in-person and work from home have become standard questions potential employees ask about. 

Social events are also increasingly important. Employees want to get to know each other and connect on a more personal level. Creating non-work related social events builds camaraderie and is supports team building. 

Creating a challenging work environment and helping employees find meaning and purpose in their work is also key to retention and engagement. 

But, if you don't do this ONE thing, you could lose it all. 

Building trust is a non-negotiable with your team. 

You must ACTIVELY work to earn their trust.

Lost their trust, and it's over. 

Several years ago Jeff referenced writer and theoretician on leadership, Bruce Avolio on this topic to address the question....

"How do I build trust within my team to accomplish our goals?"

In this blog post, outlined these five things that Avolio suggests:

- Deliver on all agreements
- Be clear and explicit about your expectations
- Take responsibility for your mistakes
- Whatever you say to inner circle will reach the outer circle
- Deal with the source of the problem, not the symptom

You can read Jeff's full explanation of these five tenets here. 

A gift from Jeff!

Jeff returned to his old stomping grounds recently. 

Well, almost. 

He presented a keynote address and breakout presentation to the Illinois Agriculture Association in North Utica, Illinois for their 2023 Managers Conference. 

Jeff's hometown of Beardstown is about 2 hours directly north.  

During a break Jeff sat down and signed several copies of his book, Battle Tested for attendees.

Do you want Jeff’s signature?

We've got you covered!

If you can't attend a live event with Jeff you can still get his signature in your copy of Battle Tested.

Our custom bookplate stickers are great way to do this!

Simply send us an email to bookplate@diamondsixleadership.com with the following info:

• Your name (if you're giving the book as a gift, give us that person's name).

• The address the bookplate should be sent to. 

We'll get your bookplate in the mail within 7 business days. 

Where should you get your copy of Battle Tested?

We recommend checking our your local bookseller. If they don't have it in stock, they can mostly likely order it for you. 

Otherwise, large booksellers and of course online, are also options. 

Happy reading!

Jeff, on the road again!

On the road again!

Jeff just returned from a whirlwind trip that took him to Europe and to the midwest, before returning home to Pennsylvania. 

He definitely knows a lot about leadership. But, he's not leading the way in taking selfies. 

So, we took some liberty and added him into a few of the pictures he sent us. 

Here is our version of "Where's Jeff?" 

How did he get on that building in Trafalger Square?

Can you find him leaning on a trashcan or coming out of the water in Lisbon? 

And then, he flew back stateside to Indiana....

Jeff's trip to Indiana was the end of an era!

Our dear friend and incredible client, Dennis Costerison is retiring from his role as Executive Director of the Indiana Association of School Business Officials. 

We have worked with Dennis and his Principals Academy for over 10 years.

He has brought in several of our faculty members to present on leadership topics such as strategic planning, team building, and executive wellness.

Plus, we've brought Gettysburg and Pearl Harbor to Indianapolis through our "on the road" workshops. 

Last week Jeff was the final speaker of Denny's tenure with ASBO. We will be forever grateful to Denny, Indiana ASBO, and all the participants we have worked with over the last decade. 

To celebrate Denny, the current Principals Academy, participants wore t-shirts with Denny's face on them. We can't think of a better way to tell someone how much they are appreciated!

Congrats Denny on your upcoming retirement!

---

What are you doing in 2024?

Do you need a presenter for an upcoming conference?

We have over 30 faculty members located across the country who can speak on a variety of leadership topics.

If you have a topic that needs addressed, we have someone who can speak on it!

Are you looking for a professional development workshop in 2023 or 2024?

In-person, virtual, 1-day, multi-day, at your location, or a retreat somewhere else. We've got you covered with customized content and logistics!

We still have a few dates available for 2023 and are quickly starting to book 2024.

Want to create the most impactful and memorable experience for your team?

You're in the right place!

Our workshops have been described as "the best leadership development experience of my career" by participants. 

Simply send an email to info@diamondsixleadership.com to set up a call, and learn how we can help!

Is change always about DOING something?

Some content in today's newsletter was published April, 2019.

Want to rent a movie tonight?

If you happen to live in Bend, Oregon put down that remote and head to your local Blockbuster. 

That's right! The Last Blockbuster is still open for business and it is, in fact, the very last one of its kind in the world. 

Jeff wrote an article about the demise of Blockbuster and visited the store in Oregon back in 2019. 

We decided to go back (virtually) to see if the store is still there. And, it is!

The Last Blockbuster (as it has been coined) survived the COVID pandemic without laying off any of its employees. 

This store’s epic survival was depicted by a cockroach in a Super Bowl ad earlier this year. We can't think of a better compliment!

At this point you might be wondering, "what's the point?"

Change.

And how, in a world of constant change, our businesses and organizations can survive and thrive. 

Consider the fact that in 2004 there were 9,000 Blockbuster stores worldwide, and in 2011 Dish Network bought Blockbuster for a “bargain price” of $320 million.

By then Blockbuster had shrunk to 300 stores and filed for bankruptcy in 2010.

But beyond being an iconic pop culture curiosity, what does this mean for contemporary leaders?

All organizations whether corporate, non-profit, public service, governmental, etc. want to be “innovative”, and their leadership seek to create a climate that encourages this.

Peter Drucker, a renowned leadership consultant, educator, and author, observed that innovation is “change that brings on a new level of performance”.

How do you bring on a new level of performance in your organizations?

Check out Jeff's article AND video about fixed vs. free energy to learn more!

He breaks down how change can ruin an organization and how understanding fixed vs. free energy can help you keep up with inevitable change. 

Dealing with a "bad boss?"

In October 2022, about 4 millions Americans, left their jobs. A trend that started back in 2021. 

Workers have cited low pay, no advancement opportunities or feeling disrespected as the reasons for quitting. 

So you don’t like your boss, or maybe your boss doesn’t like you.

Either way, you two aren’t getting along and communication is breaking down. You’re starting to feel like the odd man or woman out on all the work that you once found fulfilling.

Before you start heading toward the exit, perhaps you ought to reconsider.

Having a bad boss can be an excellent opportunity to sharpen your leadership skills, so that you can lead everyone — even your boss — in the workplace.

All that this requires from you is a proactive spirit and a desire to make the best office space possible.

One of the most common reasons for leaving a job is an incompetent or haughty supervisor, so let's flip that proposition on it's head and refuse the easy surrender. 

The most gratifying jobs can sometimes force us to interact with difficult people, so consider this an opportunity to get some practice in. 

This article addresses four things to consider before leaving that bad boss behind. 

1. Figure out if they're really a bad boss. 
2. Identify their motivations. 
3. Don't back down from your ideals. 
4. Take the high road. 
5. Avoid future bad bosses.

CLICK HERE to read more!

This is the biggest call for help we could make.

Jeff recently helped us make the biggest call for help we could have hoped for. 

If you have participated in any of our workshops in the last 10+ years, read our newsletter, or follow us on Facebook you know the news. 

Our dear friend and colleague, Lily Woo, is still in search of a living kidney donor. 

She is currently on dialysis for 10 hours every single day. 

The average lifespan of someone on dialysis is five to ten years. Lily has been on dialysis for nearly 5 years. 

We have been at a loss of what else we could do to spread the word about Lily. 

And then Jeff had an idea! 

Jeff reached out to his contacts at WCBS in NYC and they recently did an interview with Lily. 

This is where having media connections is invaluable!

We hope and pray that many people were inspired by Lily's story and have decided to start the donor screening process. 

This first step can help Lily or one of thousands of others in need of a kidney find a life-saving match. 

Lily has shared her 9/11 story of protecting the children of her school with hundreds of our workshop participants. Her story of love, leadership, professional challenges and successes have inspired so many of us. 

You can learn more about Lily, her story, and how to start the donor screening process here. 

Thank you for all the love and support you've shown Lily thus far. Let's keep it up!

A journey to the edge of war and peace

We recently learned about an article and story directly from Ukraine. We knew immediately that we must share it with you. 

The article is by a daughter. The story comes from her mother. 

Mariana Budjeryn a senior research associate at Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center, Project on Managing the Atom, and the author of “Inheriting the Bomb: The Collapse of the USSR and the Nuclear Disarmament of Ukraine.”

At the end of 2022 Mariana traveled to Ukraine to visit her mother and friends. Her article details her travel from the U.S. to her mother's kitchen via plane, car, and by foot. 

What caught our attention was the stark contrast Mariana describes between life in Lviv where residents are living relatively "normal" lives while in other parts of the country men are fighting for their lives. 

As Mariana puts it; 

"They promise not to let us down?! They, who are knee-deep in trench mud, a Russian bullet, mine, grenade, missile away from death, promise not to let us, who are sipping flat whites and getting shot by cameras, down?! How is this logical construction even possible, I wonder?"

We highly recommend you read Mariana's article, Bri. 

It provides a human insight and perspective into this war that no tv report or newspaper article can. 

And then there's boxer shorts....

At the beginning of the war Mariana's 76 year old mother was looking for a way to help. 

She started sewing underwear for soldiers at the front. It's what she could do, and her work has been received with such gratitude as we can see in the image above. 

Such an important reminder that when something feels insurmountable, doing just one small thing can make a big difference. 

Her mothers sewing can be seen as support for her country's soldiers and as resistance to the war. 

Mariana write; 
 

"....the whole Ukrainian society, its every member, regardless of age, region, and wealth, has been affected by the war and is engaged in the resistance of some kind, whether that will make the return of these soldiers home different. Whether the people who make varenyky by the hundreds, donate for long johns and generators, open doors to refugees, repair damaged electricity lines, or just work to keep the Ukrainian economy and culture alive despite missile strikes and power outages, and those mud- and blood-covered soldiers at Bakhmut, Soledar, and Kreminna, are connected by invisible bonds of solidarity and common purpose, the bonds that will persist long after the war is over."

CLICK HERE to read Mariana's full article.

About Inkstick

Mariana's article is published on Inkstick Media, a website with reporting, commentary, stories, and a podcast focused on foreign policy. As they put it, Inkstick "breaks down the news you want and need to know without droning on. When it matters, it also dives deeper to show you the people behind the policy and the stories they have to tell." Check them out!

What a mentor is, and is not.

(This article was originally published in 2015). 

I lost two people who were very, very important to me last fall. They had both been my mentors.

The first was my mom who has been my personal mentor throughout my life. She guided me from birth and sacrificed enormously on my behalf.

There is absolutely no doubt I would have never accomplished the things I have done without her wise counsel and assistance.

The second was a senior officer who took me “under his wing” when I was a young cadet at West Point.

Don was a professional mentor I could always turn to for guidance and counsel specifically about my military career. He also provided critical advice and analysis for many of the national security issues that I became involved in while working in the Pentagon, National Security Council Staff in the White House, and other efforts that I have been involved in since retiring from the military.

I always knew that he was only a phone call away despite the fact that we were not frequently assigned to the same location and might not see each other for several years.

I could always call him day-or-night to seek his advice and assistance.

But what exactly is “mentoring” and why is it important?

Mentoring has been described as a dynamic relationship in which a more experienced person (the mentor) acts as a guide, role model, teacher, and sponsor of a less experienced person (the mentee). It is based on several distinct elements including:

• Reciprocity, collegiality, authenticity, and mutuality.

• Intentional role modeling

• A “safe harbor” for self-exploration (disclosure)

• Transformation particularly of the mentee’s professional identity

• A connection that endures

CLICK HERE to read the full article!

In it Jeff share....

• What makes a mentor effective

• The transition from mentee to mentor

• Creating a mentoring culture

Leadership lessons from the war in Ukraine

You may already know that our main focus at Diamond6 is to "learn from the past, to prepare for the future".

We do need to get one thing straight. 

The past is 150 years ago when we talk about the Battle of Gettysburg and the leadership of President Lincoln during one of the greatest transitions in American history.

It is 80 years ago when Pearl Harbor was attacked, leading to our formal entry into World War 2.

And, it is 50 years ago when the Watergate scandal led to President Nixon's resignation.

Leaders must also learn from a more recent past. 

Almost 12 months ago, on February 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. This move was a major escalation in a war that has been ongoing since 2014.

Nearly one year after this brazen move by Russian president Vladimir Putin, over 9,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed, to include 500 children.

The world has also gotten a front row seat to the slow and steady crumbling of the Russian leader whose "iron fist" is experiencing a fight he did not expect, from Ukraine, the world, and increasingly, his own citizens.

Jeff is now offering the seminar, Leadership Lessons from the War in Ukraine to our clients. 

This can be a single presentation done in-person or virtually. It can also be part of a larger workshop. 

In this presentation Jeff uses current events in the war in Ukraine, stories from history, and thought-provoking questions to highlight and explain irrefutable leadership lessons that are critical for corporate, education, and nonprofit leaders to understand.  

Participants will learn key tenets of effective strategic leadership and where leaders often fail in implementing strategy. Plus, he identifies ways to create organizational cohesion and how to stay focused on what is most important, despite distractions.

Jeff also ties in his background in crisis leadership and the media to give participants a 360 degree view of the war, it's current impact, and future implications. 

This presentation was created due to demand. Clients in education, agriculture, and in business have been asking Jeff his thoughts and insights on this very topic. 

Understanding this recent past can help leaders at all levels prepare for the future. 

Interested? Feel free to send us an email to info@diamondsixleadership.comand we can send you more information.

[VIDEO] What happens after the super bowl?

We're less than two weeks away from the 2023 Super Bowl signaling the end of the football season. 

Here in Central Pennsylvania Eagles fans are thrilled to watch their team face off against the Kansas City Chiefs on February 12th. 

Of course we won't pass up this opportunity to marry football and leadership, once again. 

Three years ago we shared a post and VIDEO about leadership vs. management using Coach Garrett, former coach of the Dallas Cowboys, as a mini case study. 

While a seemingly simple concept, the difference between leadership and management often causes even the most senior person to stumble.

The consequences of not understanding and acting upon this difference can be costly - for leaders and organizations. 

In the NFL the consequence for your organization not being successful means losing your job as a coach. 

At the core of these difficult decisions often lies this important difference of leadership vs. management. 

As one coach put it, management is about dealing with data, like the things you can measure: how fast a football player can run, if he’s a lineman how much you can lift, how high you can leap if you’re a wide receiver.

Leadership is about heartbeat. How does a coach get his player inspired to play for the name on the front of the jersey rather than the name on the back. 

Want to see Jeff's video where he goes into greater detail about leadership vs management? CLICK HERE for the full article and the video. 

At Diamond6 we are incredibly impressed by the leadership displayed by Coach McDermott, both teams and organization, the medical professionals, and everyone involved in getting Damar Hamlin the help and support needed. May we continue to see such great examples of leadership and be inspired to lead with the same grace, integrity, and empathy.

81 years later...what we can learn from Pearl Harbor

On December 7th 1941, the Attack on Pearl Harbor was a turning point in the history of our nation and the world.

The war that followed lasted nearly four years, and the entire nation mobilized to meet this challenge.

But ultimately it was leadership at all levels, exhibited initially on this Sunday morning in Hawaii that allowed America to be successful.

Today, is the 81st Anniversary of the attack.

Here at Diamond6 we frequently use this event as a historical case study for workshops. Sometimes in a classroom, sometimes aboard a ship, and if we're lucky, even in Hawaii.

To commemorate this important day we want to take you back in time to a blog post we wrote for the 75th anniversary, in 2016. 

Just goes to show, leadership lessons from history are enduring!

As we reflect on the courage and sacrifice of the brave servicemen on that day, what can we discern about the actions of their leaders?

And what can we learn about leadership in a complex, rapidly evolving, high-pressure environment like the one we are living and working in today?
 

While there are innumerable leadership lessons that can be drawn from this event we have three examples.

They are as follows: 

• Leaders must act in a crisis and feel empowered to act.

• Leaders must challenge assumptions particularly during changing times.

• Leaders must promote organizational resilience.

CLICK HERE to read the full blog post, including brief stories about each of these examples that further illustrate their importance. 

This meeting changes everything for Diamond6, every time.

In two weeks our team will be having one of the most important meetings of the year. 

And, we've been having this exact meeting every year since the beginning of our company. 

We call it our end-of-year debrief. (Yes, we use some pretty snazzy names around here 😂)

It is our opportunity to review the past year and all areas of the business. 

We review our finances. 

We look at our marketing and communications. 

We talk about the workshops and events we've run.

We discuss what worked and what didn't. 

We decide what to keep the same, what to change, and how we can do better next year. 

We give each person (including our interns!) the opportunity to share their perspective and give constructive feedback. 

We eat, we laugh, we agree on a lot, and we may even disagree on a few things. 
 

Hands down, THIS meeting makes our team stronger, and Diamond6 better for our clients!

This is how we do it:

1. EVERYONE IS RESPONSIBLE: Each person on our team is responsible for bringing their "bucket of stuff" to the meeting. This means, each of us writes a list of our areas of responsibility, the current status of those areas, AND any changes, if any, they think need to be made. We create a master document where each person adds their "bucket." This way everyone can see what what is planning on being discussed. This might help remind someone else of a task or item to bring for discussion. Or, start to spark some new ideas to suggest at the meeting. We're a small business, there are no secrets!
   

2. EVERYONE SHARES: We take turns giving each person an opportunity to share and discus their list and recommendations. Our most senior staff goes last. Why? Because most often our team members will cover 90% of the areas we want to discuss anyway AND (newsflash!), they are often more informed than an owner or executive. It keeps us focused on each persons area of responsibility rather than jumping around from topic to topic.
   

3. EVERYONE IS RESPECTFUL: This should go without saying....this is a respectful meeting. Sure, there may be disagreements or different perspectives on HOW to solve a particular issue or challenge. But, at the end of the day we focus on what is most important - what is best for our clients and the business. This helps us focus on problem-solving and coming up with creative solutions.
   

4. EVERYONE GETS TO WORK: During our meeting we use our master list to take notes, capture decisions we've made, changes to implement, and so on. After the meeting this document is cleaned up and then each person has their "to-do list" for their particular area of responsibility. This helps hold each of us accountable - to the list and each other. Plus, it ensures we follow through on continuously making Diamond6 the best business it can be for you, our clients!

As you can see, our end-of-year debrief is a very collaborative meeting. It is only with everyone's inputs, talents, and creativity that we can do what we do.

This is what makes us a small, but VERY mighty team.

And, it is the best way to get a pulse on all areas of the business, celebrate the past year, and feel motivated for the next year.

Do you have an end-of-year debrief at your organization? Why or why not? What is it like and do you find it helpful?

Putin aggression against Ukraine

It is critical for leaders to stay informed about current events. Even, when it feels like what is happening halfway around the globe has no impact on us.

Because, what is happening thousands of miles away DOES and WILL have an effect on us.

And, we can always learn from other leaders - good and bad.

Jeff was recently interviewed by the Strategic Studies Institute regarding Vladimir Putin choosing a path of escalation in his unnecessary war of aggression agains the Ukraine.

The interview is based on an article Jeff wrote in the US Army War College Quarterly publication, Parameters. We've included links to both the article and podcast below.

It is imperative Western policymakers know the consequences and how he might escalate further.

In this podcast Jeff examines recent events on the battlefield; the implications of the announced annexation of territory, mobilization of forces, and threats to employ “all means” to defend Russian territory.

Jeff also discusses the domestic ramifications and Russian thinking on “hybrid warfare” and the possible weaponization of food and energy as Putin determines future escalatory steps.

SSI's goal with this podcast is to assist American and European leaders in determining policies to deal with the ongoing crisis at this moment and prepare for an uncertain future.

We believe that our Diamond6 leadership circle can also greatly benefit from what Jeff shares in this interview.

Even the most seasoned leaders need reminders now and again

Even the most seasoned leaders need reminders now and again.

It's important to take a minute every now and then, look closely at how we're doing, and notice where we may need to make some improvements.

One leadership mistake we see leaders making again and again, no matter how experienced they may be, is confusing leadership and management.

I'm sure you KNOW they're different and even HOW they differ.

The challenge lies when we move into greater levels of responsibility and we have to transition out of managing and into leading.

The transition from managing to leading can be incredibly difficult.

And, if not done with clear intention can stop a good leader to becoming a great one.

For those who have been in a clear leadership role for a while, it can be difficult to not veer to far off into management-land every now and again.

Leadership and management are critical to the success of your organization when each is given the opportunity to fully focus on their area of expertise.

Peter Drucker reminds us in this succinct quote: "Management is doing things right, leadership is doing the right things."

Check out our article, "It's Time to Stop Confusing Leadership and Management" to read how to spot the difference.

And then I challenge you to do a little "leadership vs management self check."

Cool pics from Diamond6!

We're still here!

Things have been hectic here at Diamond6 so the newsletter has gotten a bit of a break. 

In past years we would be coming upon our slow season here. 

Not so much now!

The D6 train is still chugging along right through the fall here. 

A few sneak peek pics to share what we've been up to.

And, if you have some pics to share with us from an event you attended this past year, please share it with us on our Facebook page!

CLICK HERE to find us on Facebook, like us (if you don't already!), and share your favorite workshop photo with us. We would love to see them!

Our office manager and event coordinator, Holly Tiley takes such good care of us AND our clients. We'd be lost without her!

Now, people can find our building a little better because she surprised Jeff with a shiny new sign for our building. Our old one was looking a little shabby. Thank you Holly for always taking care of even the smallest details to keep us running smoothly!

Diamond6 received a warm welcome from the Inn at Herr Ridge for our end of day dinner and discussion with the American Farm Bureau. We frequently use this historical restaurant in Gettysburg for our clients which was a major stop on the underground railroad and the first confederate hospital during the Battle of Gettysburg.

We received this wonderful email from a participant who joined us for a Gettysburg Leadership Workshop a few weeks ago. Always gratifying to hear how leaders are "learning from the past to prepare for the future."

"This was the best leadership training I have EVER received. It made me think about myself as a leader and the specific skills I need to work on, like being a better decision maker and always thinking with an innovative mind. I have started reading your book and really enjoy it!" - Megan Richner

The party's over.

We hope you had a wonderful and relaxing 4th of July weekend!

And now the party's over.

The grills have cooled down.

The fireworks shows have gone up in smoke.

The hot dogs, baked beans, chips, and watermelon have been eaten.

Now is a good time to reflect on this summer holiday that made us the country we are today....and hope to be in the future.

All organizations have a culture that defines them and they follow a mission and vision. And, the United States is no different.

Celebrating the 4th of July is part of our organizational culture.

It is an opportunity to reflect on our countries mission and vision.

The preamble of the Declaration of Independence states;

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of happiness.

Separating from England, "the mother country," threatened American's sense of security, economic stability, and identity. Asserting our independence and securing it for posterity was the mission.

Are we living up to this mission?

Just like any organization, it is important to consider a vision for the future as well.

The founders refined our vision in the preamble of the United States Constitution. It states,

We the people of the United States, to form a more perfect Union....

Visions are aspirational, and young America was full of aspiration!

Our founders believed that growth and change was necessary.

Striving to know better, do better, and be better is part of who we are as Americans.

Are we living up to this vision?

In his 2018 book, The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels, Jon Meacham writes,

To know what has come before is to be armed against despair. If the men and women of the past, with all their flaws and limitations and ambitions and appetites, could press on through ignorance and superstition, racism and sexism, selfishness and greed, to create a freer, stronger nation, then perhaps we, too, can right wrongs and take another step toward that most enchanting and elusive destinations: a more perfect Union.

On this week after our 4th of July holiday, where we celebrated our independence, our mission of equality, and vision to embrace change for the better, let's reflect if we are living up to what our founding fathers set before us - as individuals and a nation.

Our Summer Reading List

Summer is finally upon us. 

Schools are out, vacations are starting. 

It's time to read a few books!

We asked a few of our faculty members to provide us with book recommendations to create a short summer reading list. 

As you may expect, these are not your typical beach reads! 

Leadership, business, personal development, and history are always trending on Diamond6 bookshelves. 

Do you have a book you would recommend to us?

Comment below and let us know what it is AND why you recommend it. 

Maybe we'll do a Diamond6 readers’ list next!

First Friends; The Powerful, Unsung, and Unelected People Who Shaped Our Presidents by Gary Ginsberg
We often talk about leading the boss and that everybody needs somebody. That is also true with Presidents and Ginsberg’s analysis is compelling as he tells the stories of these “friends” who were influential advisors to American presidents at critical moments in their lives and our history.

The Great American Sports Page: A Century of Classic Columns from Ring Lardner to Sally Jenkins by Charles P. Pierce
Not only are sports columnists terrific writers, they tell compelling and interesting stories of sports heroes from all walks of life with passion and humor. This groundbreaking anthology spans nearly a century of sports writing featuring well known and lesser known athletes. Easy to read and the perfect travel companion, this book This is my summer read and have also placed it in my travel bag so I can read a couple of these on a flight.

Flying Blind by Peter Robison
This book is much more than just the 737 Max. Leadership requires task skills, behavioral skills, and future skills. By focusing on just task skills, copying Jack Welch, and not understanding the implications of doing so, Harry Stonecypher and lesser lights destroyed the safety culture of Boeing. Note the destructive power of arrogance.

The Edge: How 10 CEOs Learned to Lead – and the Lessons for us All by Michael Useem
Mike Useem, a management professor at the Wharton School, says a leader’s job in a radically changing world, is “standing on a cliff edge, getting a grip on unfamiliar landscapes, and acquiring the skills for leading the enterprise into new territory.” Useem interviews and draws lessons from ten leading CEOs who have faced and met critical challenges.

Twilight of the Gods by Ian Toll
The final volume of Toll’s Pacific War trilogy. Toll’s telling of the events of 1944-45 comes up to the high standard of his first two books in the series. No one else offers as complete a treatment of the war. No one else assesses the leadership challenges and social upheaval on all sides nearly as well. This lengthy book and series are worth the time it takes to read them.

Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell
When not intentional, human beings begin with what they know. They may follow a process which does not fit the circumstances. Only when it is too late do they consider context. This book implores us to start with context. Examples like the case of Sandra Bland are powerful illustrations of how specialization creates conflict which can lead to tragedy.

From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life by Arthur C. Brooks.
Arthur C. Brooks tackles the challenge all of us will face sooner or later; that of moving from the ambitious striving for success at work that often characterizes the first half of life, to truly flourishing in the second half of life. This book is not about changing your diet and exercising more; rather, it digs deep into crafting a fresh mindset about work and life, and the importance of building connections and finding meaning as we age.

The Color of Lightning by Paulette Jiles
Historically based on Britt Johnson’s life, this short novel is set in the rugged days post-Civil War Texas and the Indian Territory. Johnson, a Black rancher, undertakes rescuing his kidnaped wife and children and the wife of his neighbor from their Kiowa-Comanche captors. Jiles rises above modern stereotypes of the period to describe conditions and courage that make the reader wiser about the times and its people.

The Lightmakers Manifesto: How to Work for Change Without Losing Your Joy by Karen Walrond
In The Lightmaker's Manifesto, Walrond helps us name the skills, values, and actions that bring us joy; identify the causes that spark our empathy and concern; and then put it all together to change the world. Creative and practical exercises, including journaling, daily intention-setting, and mindful self-compassion, are complemented by lively conversations with activists and thought leaders such as Valarie Kaur, Brené Brown, Tarana Burke, and Zuri Adele.

Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know by Adam Grant
Intelligence is usually seen as the ability to think and learn, but in a rapidly changing world, there's another set of cognitive skills that might matter more: the ability to rethink and unlearn. With bold ideas and rigorous evidence, Grant investigates how we can embrace the joy of being wrong, bring nuance to charged conversations, and build schools, workplaces, and communities of lifelong learners.

JEFF SET A WORLD RECORD!

Ok, let's be more specific.

He set a personal Diamond6 world record in number of workshops taught in a certain period of time.

But still, we're impressed!

Here's a quick summary between April 4 and June 18th. (Just 2 1/2 months!)

States visited: 8

Number of workshops taught (in person and online): 12

Number of participants: 210

Miles traveled: 27,100!

Can he break this record with all the workshops planned this fall? We'll see!

WE have a voice, it's time to use it.

The U.S. just experienced the deadliest weekend for mass shootings this year. 

There have been 245 mass shootings in the U.S. so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive. 

Parents in Uvalde, TX have begun to bury their children and teachers after a gunman murdered them in their classroom. 

The community of Buffalo has laid their friends and family to rest after a racially motivated shooting at their local grocery store. 

Why are we just now talking about this in the D6 newsletter?

Because this is when we become complacent.

This is when we forget, and move on. 

When we accept this as our reality.

We cannot move on. We cannot forget. We cannot accept this as our reality. 

We are seeing the deadly results of a complete breakdown in leadership when it comes to common sense gun laws in America. 

Our elected leaders are choosing money and power over the lives of their constituents, and our children. 

We applaud Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr for his comments after the Uvalde shooting during a press conference. If you haven't watched it we encourage you to do so. 

Other basketball coaches have followed suit. San Antonio Spurs coach Greg Popovich and former Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski have publicly called on politicians to address our gun violence crisis immediately. 

They and many other public figures are using their platforms to speak truth to power. We are grateful to these leaders for speaking out and demanding change. 

As leaders in our families, schools, and communities we have a voice too, and it is our responsibility to use that voice.

But speaking out is not enough. We have to DO something if want change to happen. 

We have been looking for an organization to support in this important work. 

We found Moms Demand Action. 

Moms Demand Action is a national, grassroots movements of Americans ("mothers and others" as they like to say), fighting for public safety measures that can protect people from gun violence.

They pass stronger gun laws and work to close the loopholes that jeopardize the safety of our families. They also work within communities and with business leaders to encourage a culture of responsible gun ownership.

Action is the antidote to grief, despair, and feelings of hopelessness.

If you are experiencing any of these feelings and are called to action we encourage you to take a look at Moms Demand Action.

Their work is giving us hope.

Below are three starting points that we found helpful in learning about Moms Demand Action, their philosophy, their work, and how we can support them.

How you can take action:

• Listen to this powerful interview with Shannon Watts, Moms Demand Action founder on the We Can Do Hard Things podcast (listen via Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts).
  

• Find a virtual or in-person information meeting and events to learn more about how you can get involved with Moms Demand Action.
  

• Donate to help their goals of pressuring lawmakers to improve gun laws, raise awareness about gun violence, and educate the public about responsible gun ownership.

Edmund Burke said it best...

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

Maybe it's time for "Moms" to take this one....

DID YOU KNOW?
A few facts on gun violence in America

That firearms are the leading cause of death among children and teens in United States.

We live in a country where gun homicide rate is 26x higher than that of other high income countries.

Our federal, state, and local governments are spending a combined average of $34.8 million each day to deal with the aftermath of gun violence across the country. The total annual bill for taxpayers, survivors, families, employers, and communities is $280 billion. This is money that could be invested in public services to improve quality of life for all Americans.

Over one million ads on Armslist (the Craigslist of guns) do not require a background check for someone to purchase a gun. This has resulted in guns ending up in the hands of convicted felons, domestic abusers, gang members, and gun traffickers.

(Information from Everytown for Gun Safety, parent organization of Moms Demand Action)