This past Friday I had the privilege of being part of a group of “experts” at an event that ChicoStart put together called “Spring Training.” It was a bit like speed dating for entrepreneurs and startup companies. There were seven stations with experts in business pitch, funding, strategic planning, human resources, technical, legal and HR/Payroll, and marketing for startups. Each company or individual got 7 minutes to pitch their idea at each station and ask advice or get input. True to the baseball analogy, there were 7 innings, then a 7 inning stretch, followed by 3 more innings where they could go back to a station where they hoped for more input. By that 10^th inning of “overtime” we were all glassy eyed and tired, but what a great time! The participants I interacted with were enthusiastic and engaged, teachable and hopeful!

Bob Sprague has a new blog on Leadership called Personal Clarity, and it’s going to be worth the read. (http://www.personalclarity.me) Bob is one of those guys I know that teaches about Leadership and truly lives it out. I value his insight. When I was 19 years old he influenced how I thought about Leadership and helped me pursue my journey towards being a better leader. For the last 25 years Bob has served me as a mentor, good friend, comrade in arms, and fellow parent (which is an amazing breeding ground of leadership lessons). Bob knows leadership well. It’s kind of like his pet project only it’s been during his entire adult life so far and maybe longer. Now that I think about it, Bob might have been born with a Leadership book at his side. I wonder if that version had pictures, hmmmmm?