The clock doesn’t stop

Today, Monday, Oct. 12, is when both Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day are observed.

Columbus Day, celebrated on the second Monday in October, has been a federal holiday since 1892 and is celebrated nationwide with parades highlighting Italian-American heritage and pride, according to Smithsonian Magazine.

What’s open and closed on Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day?

Last Friday morning, while listening to Rick Piña’s Today’s Word Podcast, he said something powerful.

Today’s Word With Rick Piña

Rick said, “Life is nothing but a vapor.

This is so true of life: you are here today and can be gone today.

How we live our lives each day is so important, just like we witnessed during 9/11, when, in a matter of minutes, the people in the World Trade Center vanished without knowing how their day would be.

Because the clock doesn’t stop, I often hear people say on a Monday morning or after a long holiday that the weekend was too short.

They try to figure out where the time went.

Watching the clock isn’t good for us either, in my opinion.  Eventually we’re at a standstill, even though we feel time isn’t moving fast enough.

With football season well underway and many football fanatics around us, people live for the weekend.  I heard the Philadelphia Eagles will face the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London.

Believe it or not, I didn’t know NFL teams were playing in London until recently.

“The Eagles’ participation in this London matchup reflects the NFL’s ongoing international expansion efforts.”

I’m sure all those loyal fans who traveled to London this past weekend are watching the clock, too, as they head back home this week. The anticipation of the game, and then the flights to catch to get back home.

By the way; “The Jags’ 19-17 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 11 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London began with a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by rookie Josh Cameron that was nullified by a holding penalty (along with three other flags, a fight and two players ejected) and it ended with Cam Little’s 57-yard walkoff field goal when holder Logan Cooke pulled down yet another high snap from backup long snapper DaVon Hamilton and got it down in time for Little to drill the ball through the uprights.”

Speaking of “the clock doesn’t stop.”

Wild plays bookend Jacksonville Jaguars’ victory over Philadelphia – Yahoo Sports

For those who grew up in my era, we lost a legend this past weekend: Mike Ditka died at 86. I’m sure Chicago is reflecting on who he was and what he meant to the city.

Chicago Bears legend Mike Ditka passes away at 86

The clock doesn’t stop, and I have learned over time that you cannot manage time; the clock doesn’t stop.

Sometimes we try, and time slips away, so we must make a concerted effort to stay on track with our tasks.

As my two weeks wind down, I’m humbled by how time has allowed my sister and me to bond and reconnect.

We weren’t disconnected, but spending ten days in the same space is precious time well spent.

In these moments, I’m humbled that she spent time with my wife and me, making everything easier for all of us.

Her husband joked that he would send me the bill, and no price could capture the comfort and care she provided.

As I listened to the news last Friday, with Governor Kay Ivey issuing mandatory evacuation orders, I thought about how the clock doesn’t stop, especially as Isaias strengthened into a major hurricane.

Ivey orders Alabama Gulf Coast tourists to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Isaias – al.com

Because of mandatory evacuation orders, many residents in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama, had to decide whether to cross the bridge before it closed at noon last Friday.

I’m sure everyone affected by the evacuation order understands that the clock doesn’t stop, and those who wait until the last minute know the repercussions.

After finding where the storm hit, I called three people yesterday afternoon to triangulate the damage, as power still wasn’t on in Destin, Florida, when I called.

Today, I challenge you to reflect on your recent week and how it’s been for you.  Has the clock affected your mindset, or do you go with the flow of time?

Time can tick when there is no clock. ~Anne Rice

“We are hardly ever grateful for a fine clock or watch when it goes right, and we pay attention to it only when it falters, for then we are caught by surprise. It ought to be the other way about.”  ~Lord Chesterfield

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/the-clock-doesnt-stop/

Read More

Why Every Growing Company Needs a Leadership Development Coach

Growth sounds like a good problem to have, until the cracks start showing in how your managers actually lead. New hires pile up faster than onboarding can keep pace, decisions bottleneck at the top, and the people you promoted for being great individual performers suddenly have to lead teams — a skill nobody taught them. That's usually the exact moment a company realizes it needs outside help.

Why Does a Growing Company Need Outside Leadership Support?

A motivational keynote can light a fire for a day. What actually closes that gap long-term is ongoing, structured support that sticks around past the applause.

What Does a Leadership Development Coach Actually Do?

A leadership development coach works one-on-one or with a team over weeks and months, not just a single session, to strengthen the specific skills a leadership role demands: decision-making under pressure, delegation, conflict resolution, and clear communication. Rather than a generic curriculum, the work is built around your organization's actual goals and adjusted as challenges shift. The emphasis stays on practice, not theory, so skills carry over into real meetings and real decisions rather than staying confined to a workshop room.

When Should a Company Bring In a Leadership Development Coach?

Most companies wait too long to bring in coaching support, usually until a specific problem forces the issue: a high performer who can't delegate, a team that keeps missing deadlines, or a new manager who's drowning six months into the role. The better time is earlier, before those patterns calcify into how your organization operates by default. Coaching brought in proactively tends to produce stronger results than coaching brought in as damage control after a resignation or a blown project.

How Is a Leadership Development Coach Different From a Mentor?

A mentor typically shares their own path and advice based on personal experience, which is valuable but isn't structured around measurable progress. A leadership development coach is different: it's a defined relationship with specific goals, regular check-ins, and accountability for applying what's discussed between sessions. Some leaders benefit from both at different points, but conflating the two often means a company ends up with informal advice instead of the structured skill-building it actually needed.

What Results Can You Expect?

Results vary by organization, but the pattern that shows up consistently is fewer repeated mistakes, faster decision-making, and managers who handle conflict directly instead of letting it fester. Teams led by someone who has gone through structured coaching tend to report clearer expectations and less turnover, since much of what drives people to quit traces back to poor management rather than the work itself. None of this happens instantly; it builds over a period of consistent engagement, not a single session.

How Do You Choose the Right Coach for Your Team?

Choosing the right fit matters more than choosing the most credentialed name available. Look for real leadership experience behind the coaching, not just a certification earned without ever having led a team under real pressure. Ask how sessions are structured, what a typical engagement length looks like, and whether the approach adapts as your organization's needs change, rather than running a fixed program regardless of fit.

If your growth has started exposing gaps in how your managers lead, that's usually a sign worth acting on rather than waiting out. The organizations that handle growth best tend to be the ones that invest in leadership capability before it becomes an emergency, not after.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a leadership coach cost?

Rates vary widely by experience and format, typically ranging from around $150 to $600 or more per hour depending on the coach's background and whether sessions are individual or team-based. Ask for a clear quote based on your specific engagement rather than comparing a single average figure.

What's the difference between a coach and a mentor?

 A mentor shares advice based on their own experience, while a coach works through a structured process with defined goals and accountability, focused on building a specific skill rather than offering general guidance.

How long does leadership coaching typically last?

Most engagements run several months to a year, with regular sessions spaced out to allow time to practice and apply what's discussed before the next check-in.

Can leadership coaching work for small businesses, not just executives?

Yes. Coaching is often associated with C-suite executives, but small business owners and first-time managers frequently see the biggest relative improvement, since they're usually leading without much formal training to begin with.

Read More

We Remember

This past Friday, we remembered what happened during 9/11 over 25 years ago.

Some of us, like me, were still on active duty and remember the impacts we faced as we embraced change.

We remembered the wake-up call that we must be more vigilant and not take things for granted.

We remembered exactly where we were and what we were doing when the two planes hit the Twin Towers.

But what about the people who are reliving the scenario in their minds both in New York and the Pentagon?

Do we remember to pray for them and their families?

As I thought about what I wanted to write about this week, I focused on remembering our past and preparing for the future.

Those who never experienced that tragic day have no idea what we remember: that time was lost from our lives.

They have no idea why we go through the various procedures at airports or when entering military bases.

However, there are sometimes things that we must also remember regardless of the world situation.

I’m also aware that we take some things for granted and forget them because they may not seem important.

“The enormity of what happened on Sept. 11, 2001, and the aftermath has had a profound impact not only on the physical health of so many, but their mental health as well.”

9/11 had a profound impact on the mental health of tens of thousands of first responders, doctors say – CBS New York

The psychological effects of 9/11, in my opinion, are often forgotten, and we need to remember that many are suffering and need to be remembered in our prayers.

I would ask you to remember that we are a nation that does not always remember our past.

“A nation which does not remember what it was yesterday, does not know what it is today, nor what it is trying to do. We are trying to do a futile thing if we do not know where we came from or what we have been about.”  ~  ― Woodrow Wilson

Today, I challenge you to reflect on why we need to remember certain things in our lives, especially those who lost their lives 25 years ago on September 11, 2001.

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/we-remember/

Read More

Forever Grateful

This past week, I was forever grateful to attend my second Military Influencer Conference.  The location was Tampa, Florida.

While that might not mean much to you, I witnessed history.

Although I couldn’t attend the ceremony in Tampa at the Special Operations Memorial with Major Capers, a Medal of Honor Recipient, I met him in person the next day and got his book signed.

https://youtube.com/shorts/jQf8iHl_b8k?is=lBJFszQv_XKmv3z4

Last year I took pictures with him in Atlanta and at the Mighty 25 Gala.

I’m forever grateful for the BLK OPS team that went the distance in this historic moment.

Major Capers was one of two Marine Corps Legends recently awarded the Medal of Honor and inducted into the Hall of Heroes.

https://www.marines.mil/News/News-Display/Article/4521240/two-marine-corps-legends-awarded-medal-of-honor-inducted-into-hall-of-heroes/

The Iron Major: James Capers Jr.’s long road to the Medal of Honor

https://www.wearethemighty.com/history/the-iron-major-james-capers-jr-s-long-road-to-the-medal-of-honor/

On September 24, 2026, during the MIC, a special session entitled “Honor Delayed” featured Major Capers and other dignitaries.

Those dignitaries included Christopher McPhee (Secretary, BLK OPS); Manny Piñeiro (Chief Operating Officer (interim), USO Arlington, Virginia Founder & President, Making Time Count, LLC); and Benjamin (Ben) Lloyd Crump, an American attorney who specializes in civil rights and catastrophic personal injury cases such as wrongful death lawsuits.

As an audience member listening to all four men’s conversations, along with the moderator, Richard Brookshire, I found it truly time well spent.

Richard is part of the Black Veterans Project.

About Us | Black Veterans Project

Notably, Ben Crump said President Trump wanted to erase Dorie Miller’s history. Many of us know that Doris “Dorie” Miller was a U.S. Navy sailor, the first Black recipient of the Navy Cross, and a nominee for the Medal of Honor. Miller, a mess attendant second class aboard the battleship USS West Virginia, helped carry wounded sailors to safety during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The Navy announced that the next American aircraft carrier will bear the proud name of USS Doris Miller, which is now in production.

Column: The USS Doris Miller is America’s aircraft carrier. We should never give it up. – Daily Press

So much of our history has been erased by the power of the pen, and I pray this doesn’t happen with Dorie Miller.

Over the last two-plus years, I have followed and listened to various documentaries produced by BLK OPS and am forever grateful and honored to see their commitment pay off with Major Capers finally receiving his Medal of Honor.

During this year’s Mighty 25 celebration, I heard the Guest speaker say, “Influence without impact is just noise,” followed by, “The best honors are treated like fuel to keep going.”

When I think about what it took for Major Capers to earn his Medal of Honor over 50 years later, I know several individuals were fueled to keep going until it was done.

That is why today’s blog title, “Forever Grateful,” resonates with me this Monday morning.

Today, I challenge you to reflect on something you are forever grateful for this past week.

“To all those broken or hopeless, I have learned this: Be grateful for every single person who was part of your story. The ones that hurt you. The ones that helped you. The ones that came, and the ones that left. They all taught you. Don’t think for a moment that any of it was random. There are no oversights with God. Only perfectly crafted chapters in each unique journey.”  ~Yasmin Mogahed

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/forever-grateful/

Read More

Words

This past week, while listening to Pandora, I heard a song I hadn’t heard or paid much attention to.

It immediately caught my attention.

The song is called “Words” by Donald Lawrence.

Words LIVE · Donald Lawrence presents Music & Arts Global featuring Blanche

The song “Words” by Donald Lawrence. – Search

I am often reminded of the word’s others speak to me.

I’m also aware that words have power.

Many of us grew up learning the traditional nursery rhyme: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”

Often, I hear people create a self-fulfilling prophecy with their words.

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy In Psychology: Definition & Examples

As someone who has studied psychology, especially Self-Efficacy as taught by Albert Bandura, I’m humbled to understand the power of words and their effects.

Self-Efficacy: Bandura’s Theory Of Motivation In Psychology

How we speak to ourselves matters.

If we say we can’t do it then we can’t do it.

Why does how we speak to ourselves matter?

What self-talk are you using to sabotage your life?

Self-Talk: How You Do It Matters a Lot | Psychology Today

Our words also tie us to our character, who we are.

Character is an important part of who we are. It shapes our actions, thoughts, and how we treat others.

Therefore, when we use our words out loud, our character is on display for all to see.

The Psychological Power of Words | Psychology Today

Today, I challenge you to reflect on the words you use in your conversations and in your inner voice through self-talk.

What are you saying that helps or hurts you in becoming the best version of yourself?

I leave you with four quotes about words, and maybe one will resonate with you more than the others.

“With the right words, you can change the world.”  ~Walt Whitman

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”  ~Mother Teresa

“Words matter. They can define who you are and who you can become.”~ Brené Brown

“The words you speak become the life you live.” `~ Lisa Bevere

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/words/

Read More

The Battles We Fight

A few weeks ago, as I sat in the nail salon while waiting for my wife to get her pedicure, I had an epiphany.

The people who owned the Nail Salon were in deep chatter in their native tongue.

As I tried to figure out which language they were speaking and looked around the shop for clues, I realized they were all Vietnamese; I immediately thought about the battles we’ve fought and are still fighting.

For me, it was a humbling experience, as I wore my military hat that stated I was a Gulf War Veteran.

Although I didn’t serve in Vietnam, my father did, and I came in just as the war was ending.

I often wonder what other nationalities think of Americans.

We have many foreigners who have prospered and broken the code to success.

However, in that moment of all the chatter that was going on back and forth subconsciously, I was thinking it had not been that long ago since the Vietnam War ended.

I know some are unaware of when the Vietnam War ended, which was on April 30, 1975.  I had already joined the military in June 1974.

I was able to hear some of the war stories as a new recruit and witness the things we don’t talk about today.

Vietnam War | Facts, Summary, Years, Timeline, Casualties, Combatants, & Facts | Britannica

However, I have come to realize that many are still reliving the Civil War that ended in 1865 with the surrender of the Confederate Army.

When and How Did The American Civil War End? | History Hit

Bing Videos

I’m somewhat reminded of the words Abraham Lincoln said to Ulysses S. Grant that are still happening today: “Politicians, not Generals, will set the terms of peace.

As we look at a nation that remains divided, “The battles we’ve fought” are still being fought.

Understanding it’s football season, we even have a Blue and Grey Bowl.

The Blue-Grey All-American Bowl took place at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Raymond James Stadium last year on January 27, 2025, and was broadcast on ESPN’s family of networks

This year, the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl is in Dallas, Texas, on December 21, 2026, at the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium (TX).

All-American Bowl Schedule – Blue-Grey Football High School All-American Football Games and Combines

Even at our youth level, today’s players are being prepped for the battles ahead as they prepare for scouts and college football.

Ironically, various schools will not teach anything about Critical Race Theory (CRT), yet the students are learning about it on the football fields.

Many understand the consequences of teaching CRT and remain focused on securing school funding, a measure introduced by the state legislature under the current administration.

Trump Signs Orders to Defund Schools Teaching CRT and Promote School Choice | NTD

In a few weeks, I plan to be in the presence of a Medal of Honor recipient.  Major James Capers Jr., as I prepare to attend my second Military Influencer Conference this year in Tampa, Florida.

James Capers Jr | Vietnam War | U.S. Marine Corps | Medal of Honor Recipient

I met Major Capers last year at the 2025 Military Influencer Conference, during the MIC-MIGHTY 25 Gala in Atlanta, Georgia.

So, when you think about “The battles we’ve fought,” just know they are continuous if we want them to be.

“Soldiers generally win battles; Generals get credit for them.” ~ Napoleon Bonaparte

“Part of the happiness of life consists not in fighting battles, but in avoiding them. A masterly retreat is in itself a victory.”  ~ Norman Vincent Peale

Today, I challenge you to reflect on the battles you’ve fought.  The question is, are you still fighting them?

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/the-battles-we-fight/

Read More

Huntsville, AL Businesses: Book a Motivational Speaker Who Actually Knows Your Industry

Huntsville's business community is different from a lot of mid-size cities. It's anchored by aerospace, defense, and a fast-growing tech sector, and that changes what actually works on a stage in front of your team. Generic motivational content lands flat here. Here's what to look for instead, and how to avoid booking the wrong fit for your event.

A speaker who's worked with engineering-heavy, technically-minded audiences understands that Huntsville teams respond better to concrete frameworks than abstract inspiration. Someone unfamiliar with the region's pace and culture often defaults to a generic keynote that could be delivered anywhere, and it shows within the first few minutes. Local familiarity isn't a nice-to-have; it's the difference between a talk that resonates and one that's forgotten by the following week.

What Should You Look for When Comparing Motivational Speakers in Huntsville, AL?

When comparing motivational speakers in Huntsville, AL, look past the highlight reel and ask about substance: does the speaker offer a specific, teachable framework, or just an hour of high energy with no follow-through? Ask for examples of past corporate audiences similar to yours, and request a full clip from a live event rather than a polished sizzle reel that only shows the best thirty seconds. A speaker with real leadership experience, not just stage experience, tends to bring content that holds up under scrutiny from a technically-minded audience used to asking hard questions.

How Much Does It Cost to Book a Motivational Speaker in Huntsville, AL?

Pricing varies widely based on event length, audience size, and whether the engagement is a single keynote or a full workshop day built around hands-on practice. Ask for a clear breakdown that includes travel, any materials, and follow-up resources, rather than a single flat number, since hidden costs are the most common source of budget surprises after booking. Local speakers based in the Huntsville and Madison area often reduce travel costs considerably compared to a national bureau flying someone in from out of state.

What Questions Should You Ask Before Booking?

Before committing, ask what the speaker's core message is in a single sentence. If they can't summarize it clearly, your audience likely won't either, no matter how much energy they bring to the room. Ask how they customize content for different industries, what their typical audience size looks like, and what happens if you need to reschedule close to the event date. A speaker who answers these directly, without vague marketing language, is usually the safer bet for a corporate budget.

How Far in Advance Should You Book a Motivational Speaker for a Huntsville Event?

Most experienced motivational speakers in Huntsville, AL get booked out several weeks to a few months ahead, especially around common event seasons like Q1 kickoffs and year-end conferences. Reaching out early gives you more flexibility on date and format, and gives the speaker enough time to properly tailor the session to your team rather than reusing a generic deck on short notice because nothing else was available.

What Makes a Local Speaker Different From a National Speaker Bureau?

A national bureau matches you with whoever's available and fits your budget, often someone who has never set foot in Alabama and has no reason to understand its business culture. A local speaker brings firsthand understanding of the Tennessee Valley business community, from Huntsville's aerospace and technology sector to the region's broader corporate base, and can build that context directly into the session rather than bolting on a few local references at the last minute.

The right fit isn't necessarily the most famous name, it's the speaker whose experience and delivery actually match your team and your goals. Take the time to compare a couple of options directly, ask the questions above, and trust the answers more than the promotional copy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to hire a motivational speaker? Costs vary based on event length, audience size, and travel requirements. Ask for an itemized quote rather than a flat number so you know exactly what's included before you commit to a budget.

What's the difference between a motivational speaker and a keynote speaker? "Keynote speaker" describes the speaking slot itself, while "motivational speaker" describes the content style. A keynote can be motivational, educational, or industry-specific depending on who's delivering it and what the event calls for.

How do I find a motivational speaker for my company? Start with your event's specific goal, then look for speakers with relevant industry experience and verifiable audience feedback, rather than choosing based on name recognition alone.

How long should a motivational speaker talk? Most corporate keynotes run thirty to sixty minutes, though workshop-style sessions can run several hours depending on how hands-on the content is and how much practice time is built in.

Read More

Knowledge and Wisdom

I have written about wisdom before; however, the question is: what do knowledge and wisdom mean to you?

Today, with the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) becoming more prevalent, what does wisdom mean to you?

What is each one of us doing to increase it and learn from the wisdom of others?

Some of it is a knowledge transfer to our youth for those who want to listen.

Some of it is being poured into by others attending conferences and learning new things we did not know.

For all practical purposes, let’s use the word metacognition.  Merriam-Webster defines it as “The awareness or analysis of one’s own learning or thinking processes.”

METACOGNITION Definition & Meaning – Merriam-Webster

As a lifelong learner, I’m still working every day to acquire new information I was either numb to or didn’t know existed.

We are all an open book.  “When we live our life as if it is an open book, we are free in body, mind, and spirit and allow anyone to read from our pages.” — Unknown

I remember hearing a homily about being a “Living Letter.”

It’s something that I strive to be as I share my knowledge and wisdom with others.

2 Corinthians 4: Living Letters | Ken Boa Reflections

Part of what I have learned over the last three years is a deeper understanding of both my faith and the wisdom packed within the Bible.

I don’t profess to be a Bible scholar by any means; however, what I know today is light-years ahead of what I knew three years ago.

Sometimes we must be intentional in learning more, and that is what I have done over the last three years.

If you have ever read “The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz and Janet Mills,” it’s this wisdom that I continue to learn and dream from as I search for new knowledge and wisdom.

Many of us discriminate against what we want to learn and dream about, or against what we perceive as worth knowing.

Although my parents are no longer on this earth, the life lessons they imparted to me are and remain a powerful insight into who I am today.

It’s that wisdom and knowledge that make me who I am.

Each of us has the freedom to learn once we leave the house as we strike out in our adult lives.

To me, there is so much we can learn from the wisdom that is yet unknown or untapped.

Years ago, I converted to Catholicism and found myself with the wisdom to understand the word “judgment”.

It’s within the specific word that I found out about the poison we put on others and ourselves.

It’s poison when we judge others and feel the need to judge them.

Today, the wisdom and knowledge of understanding that being a living letter is not about judging others and reading have helped take my wisdom to another level.

My question to you is: how has your search for knowledge and wisdom turned out, and what does it mean to you?

I’m well aware that each of us has blind spots we can’t see, yet what do others see in you when they ask for your opinion on something?

I’ll close with a specific reminder that stays with me when I’m attending any social or conference event and talking with people for the first time.

It’s having the wisdom to speak on any topic, or at least to know something about it, as a sign of being well-read.

Although I don’t profess to be a know-it-all, growing up, some adults would tell me, “I’ve forgotten more than you know,” which was a driving factor in learning more than the person I was speaking to.

When I hear those words, it’s a reminder that there is more to learn.

Marcus Aurelius consistently stressed virtues like self-control, patience, fortitude, and wisdom.

“Knowledge alone is not power; it becomes power only when applied effectively through action, judgment, and influence.”

Knowledge Is Not Power | Conversational Leadership

Today, I challenge you to consider what knowledge and wisdom mean to you. Are you passing it on to the next generation, or are you just living and allowing your wisdom to shrink or atrophy?

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/knowledge-and-wisdom/

Read More

Building Character

Today, please take a moment and think about all the people you know who are risk-takers.

We see them all the time in our daily lives; just like the person I saw this past week running a red light when the light was solid red while the green light was moving traffic in another direction.

Every day, we see wrecker service trucks picking up wrecked cars on our streets and highways.

In some of these wrecks, given the direction the vehicle was traveling, I must wonder how the car managed to cross the street or move through traffic.

Just this week, I witnessed a motorcycle rider weaving through traffic, putting himself at risk by crossing in front of an 18-wheeler.

I continue to see people texting while driving, which is distracting.

At times, I see muscle cars showing off, saying, “Look at me.”

Ironically, I was in Walgreens when I heard a young man on the phone talking about getting a ticket after just finishing a driver’s course.  When I walked out, he was pulling off in his Mustang, which somewhat explains his dilemma.

Sometimes the cars we drive can be magnets for tickets; however, it doesn’t always have to be.

Granted, every day we take chances and must always be cognizant of our surroundings when we leave our homes.

It doesn’t always have to be with traffic, as I’m leery of the foods I eat and what they do to my digestive system.

I’ve learned that the older we get, the more we must eat the right foods.

Over the years, I’m reminded of my resiliency training and the importance of leaving early so I don’t have to rush to my appointments.

Therefore, today, what is it that makes us take risks?

Do you see yourself as a risk-taker or someone who prefers to err on the side of caution and avoid taking risks?

Years ago, I learned the word “Timorous” while facing my fear of jumping out of airplanes in the military.  I was injured during a high-altitude entanglement and returned to jump status a few years later.

TIMOROUS Definition & Meaning – Merriam-Webster

However, I’m not advocating that you do what I’ve done, because there is a process of adjusting our mindset to do anything we put our minds to.

Back then, we called it “building character” whenever we jumped out of an airplane or a helicopter.

What I am advocating is that the character we build is important.

For me, it is almost in the same category as hearing the words “No risk, no rewards.”

Plainly stated, “No risk, no rewards” means you must take chances or step outside your comfort zone to achieve meaningful gains, success, or growth.

Many of us have stepped outside our comfort zones in training for 10K runs or marathons.

I’ve only run three marathons in my life, and that was enough.

Even the squirrel we see in our backyards is taking a risk when it leaves the nest.

I saw one on the road the other day trying to cross the street and then turn back.

We are sometimes like squirrels, turning back to avoid the traffic.

On the other hand, we see those who like, or feel the need to, show off when we have a fast car.

Which is not how to build character.

We don’t need to run red lights if we plan and arrive 10 minutes early for our appointments.

We do not need to risk weaving in and out of traffic, putting other people in danger.

As we look at the people around us, we can surmise, or at least tell from their character, the type of person they are.

Not to judge; however, when I see a person who is “Timorous” and has never served in combat or the military, that person is not who I want watching my back if I’m stranded alone on an island.

Each of us has built a specific amount of character that is on display every day.

We hear it in the language people use and how they stand.

Although you may be timid, careful, or reluctant to go into combat or jump out of a perfectly good airplane, are you one who takes risks at the cost of others?

I’m not naïve; I know that sometimes worldly attributes can cloud our judgment.

Today is about having the proper character on display so that others see the good in you!

One of my favorite quotes is by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

Measure of a Man, The | The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute

Today, I challenge you to do a pulse check.  What are you being measured on each day as you live your life?  When was the last time you looked at your character?

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/building-character/

Read More

Introspection

Have you ever wondered why woodpeckers don’t get headaches?

I heard something interesting this week that caught my attention, and I decided to write about it.

Before I get too deep, I believe you need to know the answer to that question.

Why Don’t Woodpeckers Get Headaches? | Ask A Biologist

Today, I’m blessed to know I rarely have headaches.

Even in those moments of giving up coffee for Lent.

I’m aware that some are not as fortunate as I am, as today we live in a society where so many people are affected by migraine headaches.

We visit our doctors for appointments, and they ask, “What are you allergic to?”

So today is about introspection.

INTROSPECTION Definition & Meaning – Merriam-Webster

When was the last time you took time to reflect, looking inward by examining your thoughts and feelings?

It was a reminder to me when I heard the woodpecker question, as something I had never thought about before I heard it.

There are things we take for granted: that the tree will bloom again after the hard winter’s weather and flowers will spring forward at just the right time.

We are all uniquely and wonderfully made, with various qualities and tolerances.

As a lifelong learner, I am fascinated by the prospect of learning something new.

This past Wednesday, at one of my Toastmasters meetings (Professional Speakers), Sara Ivie, DTM, told a story about the people of Gander who sheltered over 6,500 people during 9/11. It was a story I had never heard before, and it led me to greater introspection.

We all know what happened on September 11, 2001, when al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four planes, crashing two into the World Trade Center, one into the Pentagon, and one in Pennsylvania, killing nearly 3,000 people and triggering the U.S. “War on Terror.”

But what I didn’t know, or had forgotten, was how long the airspace was shut down and the exact locations where planes were redirected or diverted to land.

How Gander, Newfoundland Took In 6,500 People On 9/11

“There were roughly 4,500 planes in the air at the time, and 38 of them landed in the rural Canadian town of Gander, according to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.”

It’s a story of hospitality that is so much needed in our current history today.

The Canadian town of Gander is still remembering its efforts as it recently celebrated the 25^th Anniversary of 9/11.

Town of Gander to Mark 25th anniversary of 9/11  – NTV: Newfoundland and Labrador’s Most Trusted News Source

Nowadays, everyone has something to say; however, it’s up to us to listen and reflect on what they say.

Many iconic figures have addressed this theme directly or indirectly. Here are some notable ones:

“The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about.” — Oscar Wilde (reflecting on the inevitability of opinions)

“People always have something to say, but rarely do they say it with kindness.” — Maya Angelou (emphasizing compassion in discourse)

“Everyone has an opinion, and they’re usually wrong.” — Mark Twain (a humorous take on human judgment)

Today, I challenge you to reflect on what has caught your attention this week and prompted introspection as you search for answers.

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/introspection/

Read More

Subliminal Messages

This week, something caught my attention while watching television.

It was more negative advice from a political point of view.

We all have various words we have learned over time that we know exactly who’s saying them when we hear them.

One is “Drain the Swamp” commercials.

I often wonder what people are thinking or feeling when they hear that word and what their reactions might be if they understand politics.

To me, it’s just like someone saying the “N” Word.

When I hear it from someone not from my race, then I know the context behind their words.

I don’t like it, especially if I know the context behind it.

When we hear the word “Woke,” we have to decide and know who’s saying it and what they are conveying to us.

As much as I try to stay neutral or non-partisan, something seems to trigger an uncomfortable feeling that Rodney King would say.  “Can’t we all just get along?”

As I walked into Walmart this weekend, it was my second time seeing a shopper with a gun strapped to his hip.

I had to ask myself what message he was sending to other shoppers who walked past him as he and his wife shopped.

Then, on the other hand, I had to stop and ask myself another question: why?

Why did he decide today to strap on his pistol to go shopping, Walmart of all places?

Was it a comfort factor?

Did he need to feel bigger, or was he making a point?

Every day we get messages with people even saying one word.

Because I am somewhat naïve about the gun-carrying law in Alabama and Georgia, I checked the rules to support this blog.

I know that “Alabama residents can legally carry firearms in Georgia under Georgia’s constitutional carry law or with a recognized out-of-state permit.”

What this means is “an Alabama resident does not need a Georgia Weapons Carry License (WCL) to carry a handgun in Georgia, either openly or concealed, provided they meet Georgia’s age and eligibility requirements (21+ for civilians, 18+ for active military).”

I bring that to your attention because Georgia was where I first witnessed the Georgia Weapons Carry License (WCL).

Alabama Concealed Carry Gun Laws: CCW & Reciprocity Map | USCCA

Alabama Gun Laws and Regulations

What I didn’t know until today was that “Alabama is considered an ‘open carry’ state, which means that most adults may openly carry a firearm without a permit. ” As of January 1, 2023, Alabama no longer requires permits for concealed carry, making the state a permitless or constitutional carry state. (Individuals may still get permits if they want to take advantage of reciprocity offered in other states.)

Although there is a long list of places in Alabama where carrying a gun is illegal, without express permission from the authority in charge.

Therefore, what subliminal messages are you receiving or seeing today that have required you to pause just for a moment?

I’ll give you a moment to think about it.

Even in this ridiculous world we live in, I know that sometimes our faith is all that is required to get past the subliminal message we take in.

“Sometimes we need the salt of tears to remind us how to savor the sweetness of life.” ~ Lysa TerKeurst

“The things surrounding you in your home serve as subliminal reminders of you who are.”  ~ Denise Linn

Today, I challenge you to take a moment to reflect on the subliminal messages you are receiving or seeing today that have required you to pause.

 

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/subliminal-messages/

Read More

Are Teachers Teaching Your Children How to Fish?

Ever since the pandemic in 2020, I have had continuous thoughts about Are Teachers Teaching Your Children How to Fish?

My youngest grandson was affected during his senior year in High School, as I witnessed what was happening from High School to College.

Although he has graduated from college, I often wonder about how the education system is being challenged while the administration is dismantling various parts of it.

The Plan to Abolish the Education Department—One Year Later | NEA

Bills axing the Education Department introduced by GOP lawmakers

I have personally visited the Board of Education before the pandemic and am thinking very hard about seeing them again to get a better understanding.

One piece of advice that I received is to understand which schools are invested in getting their teachers National Board Certified.

I’m aware that there are “Five Core Propositions” that describe what teachers should know and be able to do.

Proposition 1: Teachers are committed to students and their learning.

Proposition 2: Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to students.

Proposition 3: Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning.

Proposition 4: Teachers think systematically about their practice and learn from experience

Proposition 5: Teachers are members of learning communities

The National Board certification process is designed to collect standards-based evidence of accomplished practice. In all 25 certificate areas, candidates are required to complete four components.

COMPONENT 1: Content Knowledge.

COMPONENT 2: Differentiation in Instruction.

COMPONENT 3: Teaching Practice and Learning Environment.

COMPONENT 4: Effective and Reflective Practitioner.

Maybe it’s because I have a master’s in education with a concentration on Instructional Technology that all this bothers me when it comes to education.

I always get a kick out of watching kids work at the cash register when pennies were in use or when the machine was out of order.  Many of them could not add or subtract without pulling out their phones for assistance.

It is the dismantling of the education system that sends the message about what is being taught in our schools these days.

When I look at the credentials of various people running our country, one has to think why they were chosen for the job.

Suffice to say, in the end, what cost will all of us pay for how this country is being run, or those affected, for making poor decisions?

Do you remember the words of the three R’s in Education and Learning

The 3 R’s of Education: Reading, Writing &Arithmetic

The phrase 3 R’s of Education encompasses:

Reading: the ability to decode text, comprehend meaning and engage with ideas.

Writing: the ability to express thoughts, structure ideas and communicate effectively.

Arithmetic: the ability to understand numbers, operations and problem-solve in everyday life.

We need all 3 R’s today in our society, as reading is a daily habit for me.

When I think of how people communicate and what I went through with all the various research papers I wrote without the use of AI, it is unbelievable.

Finally, as I sit on various boards, being able to understand the finances and numbers and manage funds is so important.

It’s this foundation I believe we all see continues to be weakened with no voices being heard to protect it.

Interestingly enough, families will move into neighborhoods that support a great school system; however, are they engaged in what is being taught to their children as they pay the costs of living in that area?

In a recent article online from AL.com, “Many Alabama virtual school students lack basic math and reading skills, report cards show.”

https://www.al.com/news/2026/08/many-alabama-virtual-school-students-lack-basic-math-and-reading-skills-report-cards-show.html

That alone signals trouble to me.

It’s already bad enough that Alabama is ranked 43^rd in the public-school ranking by state for 2026 as we begin to start another school year this week.

https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/public-school-rankings-by-state

Therefore, the question is: Are teachers teaching your children how to fish or just helping them bait the hook?

Today, I challenge you to think about whether teachers are teaching your children how to fish or just helping bait the hook.

Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day.  Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime. Proverbs

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/are-teachers-teaching-your-children-how-to-fish/

Read More

Why Local Businesses Near Huntsville Trust McKinley's Thoughts for Leadership Training

You can tell within five minutes of a meeting whether a team has a real leader or just someone with a title. That gap is what pulls most business owners into looking for help in the first place. In and around Huntsville, a lot of that search ends at McKinley's Thoughts, a program built by a retired Command Sergeant Major who spent 30 years leading soldiers before turning that experience toward local businesses.

What Leadership Training Actually Is

Forget the image of a rented conference room and a slideshow nobody remembers by Friday. Real leadership training is coaching people through the stuff that actually trips them up at work: hard conversations, missed deadlines, a team that's stopped trusting each other. It's less about theory and more about giving someone tools they'll still be using six months later.

Why It Matters More Than Most Owners Realize

Huntsville's economy runs on defense, aerospace, and a growing wave of small businesses trying to keep good people. And good people don't leave jobs, they leave bad managers. That's usually the moment a business starts typing "leadership training near me" into Google at 9pm after a rough week. What they're really looking for is someone who's actually led people under pressure, not a certificate mill. That's the whole reason McKinley's Thoughts exists: three decades of active-duty command experience, paired with certified John Maxwell coaching, applied to real teams instead of hypothetical ones.

How It Actually Works

There's no one-size-fits-all package here. A first conversation is spent figuring out what's actually going wrong: Is it a communication breakdown? A new manager who's never led anyone before? A team that's technically skilled but falls apart under stress? From there, the training gets built around that specific problem using modules like Conflict Resolution, Emotional Intelligence, or Strategic Planning, whichever fits.

The Process, Step by Step

1. A real conversation first — no sales pitch, just an honest look at where the leadership gaps are.
2. A curriculum built around your team, not a generic template pulled off a shelf.
3. Workshops that involve people doing the work, not sitting and listening for two hours.
4. Time between sessions to actually try things, because skills stick when they're practiced, not just discussed.
5. Coaching that continues after the workshop ends, so the lessons don't fade in a month.
6. Honest tracking of what's changed — better communication, fewer blowups, faster decisions.

What Actually Works

Get leadership at every level in the room, not just the managers who already agree with you. Pick a trainer who's actually led people, not just studied leadership theory. Treat this as something you keep doing, not something you check off a list once a year. And pair the group sessions with one-on-one coaching wherever you can; it's where the real breakthroughs happen.

Where Most Companies Go Wrong

The biggest mistake is buying a generic seminar because it was cheap or convenient, then wondering why nothing changed. A close second is treating training like a one-time event instead of an ongoing relationship. And a lot of companies pick trainers purely on credentials, without asking whether that person has actually led anyone through a hard moment. That's usually what separates a forgettable seminar from a company that finally finds leadership training near me and sticks with it for years, because the person leading it has actually been in the room when things went sideways.

Conclusion

Nobody becomes a better leader from one workshop. It happens through repetition, honest feedback, and someone who's actually done the job pushing you to get better. That's the difference between training that looks good on a calendar invite and training that changes how your team actually works.

Ready to Build Stronger Leaders in Your Organization?

McKinley's Thoughts brings 30 years of active-duty leadership experience straight to your team, no fluff, no filler. If your business needs leaders who can actually lead, let's talk.

Address: 256 Bob G. Hughes Blvd, Harvest, AL 35749

Call: (706) 627-4863

Email: sitruc3@gmail.com

Reach out to McKinley's Thoughts today and let's build the team your business actually needs.

FAQs

What are the 7 C's of leadership? Character, Competence, Communication, Commitment, Confidence, Courage, and Compassion. They're not abstract ideas either — a leader missing even one of these usually shows it fast, whether it's broken trust or a team that stops speaking up.

Why do you want to attend leadership training? Honestly, most people attend because they hit a wall — a promotion they weren't ready for, a team that's not listening, or a conflict they don't know how to handle. Training gives you the tools so the next wall doesn't stop you.

What are the 5 P's of effective leadership? Purpose, Passion, People, Process, and Performance. Miss any one of these and the others start to wobble — passion without process burns out, process without people feels cold.

What are the seven qualities of a good leader? Integrity, self-awareness, courage, respect, empathy, gratitude, and resilience. None of these are talents you're born with. They're built, usually the hard way.

What are the 8 pillars of leadership? Vision, communication, integrity, accountability, empowerment, adaptability, decision-making, and emotional intelligence. Most leaders are strong in two or three and weak in the rest — training is about finding out which ones need work.

Read More

Accountability Partners

Career Planning Concept. Businessman Getting Help Building Bridges To Success.

During my time in the military, we had something called the buddy system, where two individuals always knew each other’s whereabouts, both mentally and physically.

Today, as adults, we sometimes need a buddy system not just for our whereabouts, both mentally and physically, but also for someone to bounce an idea off that we’re thinking about in life.

In recent years, I’ve had the opportunity to participate in two Maxwell Leadership Accountability sessions that last, I believe, 90 days each.

Each one of those accountability sessions was where we met each week for an hour to discuss various things we were working on.

It was a commitment within the group to be accountable to each other.  Although we had three people within our group, it was probably the most meaningful weekly conversation I’ve experienced.

We are all undisciplined in various areas of our lives, whether we know it or not.

As John Maxwell says, “Accountability makes us better.”

Sometimes we need to recognize there are gaps in our lives that need help closing.  What gap do you need closing today?

Accountability Makes You Better | Maxwell Leadership

There is also a word called self-accountability.

Meaning taking responsibility for our own actions.

We should all take notice that having the proper mindset is so important.

I can vividly remember my Saturday morning 5- to 10-mile runs with two or three running buddies years ago. Especially during my time in the military when I was stationed in Hawaii and Fort Bragg.

Back in those days, you were required to run four miles within 32 minutes.

It paid off for me when I went to Airborne and Air Assault school during my time in Hawaii from1985-1989.

I didn’t hurt knowing I was already in great shape from being a Drill Sergeant for three years prior, 1982-1985.

I knew if I didn’t show up, they wouldn’t call me out because back then no one carried phones to go running.

That’s why our words must matter along with the proper mindset.

How we speak to ourselves is so important, which is tied to our purpose.

Having the proper mindset is so important.

If you haven’t read Carol S. Dweck’s book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, I would highly recommend it.

Dweck’s Mindset Theory: How to Develop a Growth Mindset – Growth Engineering

For those who have accountability partners, continue to tap into each other for support.

For those who don’t have accountability partners, I pray that you pick some who will help hold you accountable.

Try it; you might like it.

This week, as you look at your busy schedule, think about those who are holding you accountable.

Sometimes procrastination can get the best of us, myself included.

Although my running days are over, I still hold myself accountable for my weight and appearance.

Today, I challenge you to think about who’s holding you accountable when no one else is. Think about the last time you were held accountable for your actions or just doing something you said you would do?

We are all aware that life sometimes gets in the way, and sometimes we need to be like the Nike slogan and “Just do it!”

“Your life does not get better by chance; it gets better by change.”~ Jim Rohn

“The moment you take responsibility for everything in your life is the moment you can change anything in your life.” ~ Hal Elrod

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/accountability-partners/

Read More

Stop Complaining

Have you ever noticed that in life we meet people who complain about anything and everything?

When was the last time you complained about something that was either trivial or not?

What I would challenge you to do is sit in the lobby of any hospital and watch the people entering or exiting the facility the next time you feel like complaining.

How do we look at life?

This is not a rhetorical question; it’s a question for you to decide where you are going and whether you are accepting your lot in life.

Having said that, my heart is heavy once again as I receive notifications about the deaths of two people whom I knew who recently passed away.

These are people that I knew personally and witnessed them adding value to others.

How we make the most of our time here on this earth is up to us.

This goes for gossip as well.

I’m reminded of James 3:5 and the “Taming of the Tongue,” where I learned years ago to let things go.

When I received the meaning behind James 3:5, I was told to ask three questions:

Is it true, is it kind, is it necessary?

In response to the three questions, should the person continue speaking only if they can say “yes” to all three?

James 3:5 In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze.

Persons/Places/Events

James
The author of the epistle, traditionally identified as James, the brother of Jesus. He was a leader in the early Jerusalem church and wrote to Jewish Christians scattered among the nations.

The Tongue
A metaphorical reference to human speech and the power of words. In this context, it represents the potential for both good and harm.

The Body
Represents the whole person, emphasizing how a small part (the tongue) can influence the entire being.

The Spark
A metaphor for a small action or word that can lead to significant consequences, much like a tiny flame can ignite a large fire.

The Forest
Symbolizes the broader community or world, illustrating how words can have far-reaching effects.

This past week, Toastmasters International announced an increase in membership dues from $60 to $72 for the six-month dues renewal fee effective August 3, 2026.

Just years ago, when it went from $30 to $45 to $60, now, on August 3, 2026, to $72, I’m sure there will be members unwilling to pay the dues increase.

For some, it will be “The Spark” that ignites a large fire among other members.

I witnessed it coming based on what happened when Membership dues increased on August 1, 2023 (from $45 to $60 semiannually).

Of course, the August 2023 change was the last time the core membership dues were adjusted, with the 2025 new member fee increase being the most recent fee-related update. New member fee increase: October 1, 2025 (from $20 to $25).

I’m telling you this as only an example of the spark that can ignite a larger flame. You can’t even imagine the people who complained three years ago and how they voiced their feelings of dissatisfaction.

Everyone has something to complain about; however, is it worth it?

We have choices in life: accept our lot or change it.

I won’t get into what the Bible says; however, we should accept and rejoice in what we have been given.

Hence, as an advocate for developing greater emotional intelligence, choosing to change requires self-awareness, courage, and deliberate action.

It also requires discernment. That’s what I learned from reading the Bible.

Every day is a choice, and complaining about it is not the answer.

Therefore, on this day, if you’re complaining about something, is it worth the emotional stress, or can you just let it go?

Besides, we’ve all heard the phrase Why complain? It does go anyway.

How we downplay it is totally up to us.

Therefore, we should just be grateful and rejoice in what we have been given.

I’ll give you two quotes to think about this week:

“You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas.” – Shirley Chisholm

“Never tell your problems and complaints to anyone; twenty percent don’t care, and the other eighty percent are glad you have them.” – Lou Holtz

Today, I challenge you to ask the question the next time you feel like complaining: Is it worth it? Give yourself 24 hours to think about it. If not, think about taking a trip to your local hospital and sitting in the hospital lobby that I mentioned earlier.

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/stop-complaining/

Read More

The Scars We Hide and Those We Don’t

Allow me to ask you a question:  Have you ever heard the words “What doesn’t kill you will make you stronger”?

This famous saying comes from the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, who wrote in his 1888 book Twilight of the Idols.

What Doesn’t Kill You, Makes You Stronger Meaning: What Does It Mean? – English Study Online

Although I’ve spent many years in Germany, I was unaware.

As a product of the Civil Rights Movement and a Baby Boomer, I grew up with parents who didn’t believe in sparing the rod.

There are various versions of Proverbs 13:24, tied to sparing the rod depending on how you feel; I’m sure one of them suits you best.

Proverbs 13:24 He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.

Today, we know that what happens to children who misbehave or do not listen to their parents is different from what it was in the past.

I don’t consider myself someone who misbehaved, but someone who obviously didn’t understand what I was told to do.

Sometimes I took those whippings for the team.

I recently burned myself about a month ago, taking something out of the oven. The burn was not visible on the front of my arm, but on the back of my forearm, which was hidden from those approaching me from the front.

Although I didn’t see the scar until two days later, I felt it for days after the event.

As I think about the scars we hide, I’m always concerned about the scars we don’t see.

Just like my burn that showed up after the fact. I didn’t see it right off; it took it forming properly for me to see it.

Every day, when I walk into places like Walmart or other places where I must navigate past people, I look at their faces.

Each person has a different façade they bring to the marketplace.

Granted, I didn’t grow up with a silver spoon in my mouth and have lived all over the world after my high school graduation.

It was in those lessons of understanding responsibility, where my parents, who didn’t believe in sparing the rod if one of my siblings got hurt or I didn’t obey, helped make me stronger.

There is a time and a place for everything, and luckily, I had great mentors in the military who shared their wisdom.

But what about our youth today- who’s giving them the guidance and wisdom required to be more disciplined in life?

Many years ago, I was required to study Sigmund Freud as part of my Clinical Mental Health Counseling program to understand the Id, Ego, and Superego.

Maybe that is why the scars we hide and those we don’t are what my unconscious mind is thinking about today.

Freud’s Theory of the Unconscious Mind: The Iceberg Analogy

We don’t know what the surface is until we trigger something, and then it’s up to us to react either in the Id, ego, or superego.

One of the things I’m most proud of is my patience as I write in my journal when I need to exercise better self-control.

Although I know the scars that I had to go through to get to a point in my life, many don’t see the scars because there’s an analogy of not keeping good records of bad things that resonates within me.

Don’t Keep Records of Bad Things – Mckinleys

This week is my reminder that “The Scars We Hide and Those We Don’t” are real, and it’s a matter of letting go of things that can rob you of your joy.

Frank Sinatra has said, “Don’t hide your scars. They make you who you are.”

All those people whom I see with frowns on their faces that I mentioned in places such as Walmart or other places where I must navigate past people, this is why I look at their faces.

“Live your life in such a way that you’ll be remembered for your kindness, compassion, fairness, character, benevolence, and a force for good who had much respect for life, in general.”  ― Germany Kent

“No matter how dysfunctional your background, how broke or broken you are, where you are today, or what anyone else says, YOU MATTER, and your life matters!”  ― Germany Kent

Today, I challenge you to put a smile on your face, because someone else is in a worse shape than you.

Read More

What Makes Our Leadership Development Coaching Different from the Rest?

I spent 30 years in active-duty service, leading soldiers through some of the most demanding environments imaginable. When I retired, I carried a second title into civilian life as a GS-13 in federal service, closing out that chapter on January 31, 2019, after 14 more years of leading people toward mission success. Folks around here know me as McKinley, but most call me Charlie Mike — CM for short, a term that in military circles means "continue mission." That's exactly what I've done since hanging up the uniform: continued the mission of building better leaders, one person and one organization at a time.

Real Experience, Not Just Theory

There's no shortage of coaching programs out there promising to transform your team overnight. What sets my approach apart is simple — I've actually lived it. For three decades, I was responsible for the readiness, morale, and performance of people whose decisions had real consequences. I didn't learn leadership from a textbook; I learned it in the field, under pressure, and through 44 combined years of watching what works and what doesn't. When you work with a Leadership Development Coach who has genuinely led at every level, from junior soldiers to senior leadership, you get insight that's grounded in experience rather than theory alone.

A Program Built Around the Whole Leader

My coaching isn't a one-size-fits-all seminar. I structure development around the real skills leaders need to succeed: emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, performance measurement, team building, communication, resiliency, and crisis leadership. Each module is designed to meet leaders exactly where they are, whether they're a first-time supervisor or an executive steering a large organization. As a certified Maxwell Leadership coach, trainer, and speaker, I blend proven leadership frameworks with the discipline and adaptability I developed through military and civil service. That combination is rare, and it's what allows me to speak to both the technical side of leadership and the human side — because leadership, at its core, is about people.

Coaching That's Personal, Not Generic

Too many leadership programs treat every client the same way. I don't. Every organization has its own culture, its own challenges, and its own definition of success. My coaching sessions, workshops, and mastermind groups are built around your specific goals, whether that's improving conflict resolution among your team, sharpening decision-making under pressure, or developing the next generation of leaders inside your company. I take the time to understand where you are and where you want to go, then I build a plan to get you there — not a generic slideshow, but a genuine partnership focused on measurable growth.

Accountability Rooted in Discipline

If there's one thing three decades of service taught me, it's accountability. I don't just deliver a workshop and walk away. I check in, I follow up, and I hold the people I coach to the standards they set for themselves. That's what a serious Leadership Development Coach should do — stay engaged in your progress long after the initial session ends. Growth doesn't happen in a single meeting; it happens through consistent reinforcement, honest feedback, and a coach who is invested in your long-term success, not just a one-time transaction.

Leadership That Rises Above the Noise

My philosophy is straightforward: rise above your limits. Whether I'm coaching an individual working through a career transition, training a corporate team on communication and productivity, or speaking to a room full of professionals about resilience, the goal is always the same — equip people with the tools to lead with confidence, clarity, and purpose. That's not a marketing slogan for me. It's the same standard I held myself to in uniform and in federal service, and it's the standard I bring to every client relationship today.

If your organization is ready to move beyond generic training and invest in leadership development that's built on real experience, genuine accountability, and a track record of results, let's talk. Reach out today at (706) 627-4863 to schedule a consultation, and let's start building the kind of leaders your team can count on — because the mission continues, and I'm ready to help you lead it forward.

FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. What does a leadership development coach do?

A leadership development coach works one-on-one (or with teams) to help leaders build specific capabilities — self-awareness, decision-making, communication, and the ability to navigate change — through structured, on-going sessions rather than a single presentation.

2. What are the 5 C's of leadership development?

There's no single universally agreed-upon version of the "5 C's," but the most commonly cited framework centers on Character, Competence, Communication, Courage, and Compassion.

3. What is the 70-20-10 rule for leadership development?

The 70-20-10 rule is a learning framework developed by researchers at the Center for Creative Leadership, based on decades of studying how executives actually learn to lead. The model calls for 70% of development to come from on-the-job learning, 20% from coaching and mentoring, and 10% from formal classroom training.

Read More

Faith

Today, I’m reflecting on the word’s faith the size of a mustard seed.

What is it that we believe?

It’s not so much about the various faiths we belong to. it’s about the things we put our faith in every day.

Recently, my doorbell rang, and to my surprise, there were about four other couples, all elderly black women and men, walking the neighborhood.

The opening question I was asked is “How am I dealing with the current situation in the world, with all that continues to divide us?”

It was an open question that I felt the need to ask them to come inside for a minute and offer them some water.

Little did I know my faith and knowledge were tested by what they both presented to me under Mosaic law and what I believed after going through the book of Galatians and the new covenant.

As a person of faith and somewhat familiar with the Bible, we talked about the new covenant under Jesus rather than Moses.

Although it was truly a learning experience for all, they wanted to come back and visit, which I said yes to if I were home again when they rang my doorbell.

This got me thinking about how faith can plant a seed in a ministry as they walked the neighborhood expressing their faith to others.

Today, each of us puts our faith in many different things.

We want our children to see our faith in us as we practice living a life filled with grace and mercy.

I’m aware we should all be a living letter as stated in the Bible.

“Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some, letters of recommendation to you or from you? 2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. 3 You show that you are Christ’s letter, delivered[a] by us, not written with ink but with the Spirit of the living God—not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.”

2 Corinthians 3-4 CSB – Living Letters – Are we beginning to – Bible Gateway

In life, we sometimes take things for granted and accept them as they are.

One of my responses to the Jehovah’s Witnesses team was that it’s the same God today as it was yesterday.

I was pleased to see that faith works in mysterious ways, as President Trump’s bill (the Save America Act) didn’t pass, with four Republicans voting against it.

This is not the first time we have had senators from President Donald Trump’s party join Democrats.

If you recall, it was his “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which narrowly passed the upper chamber with a tie-breaking vote from Vice President J.D. Vance.

We saw this with four Republicans joining Democrats in the House vote to rein in Trump’s Iran war powers.

I often wonder what families are saying to their children, or what others are thinking out loud, when going against the norm, as we witnessed this past week.

I’m also thinking about what happened this past weekend at the Hilton Garden Inn Montgomery – East Chase in Montgomery, AL, which I couldn’t attend, based on other commitments, was our 53rd Biennial Gulf Coast District Junior Conference, sponsored by the Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary.

I’m reminded of the phrase as we help our children grow in faith.  “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Many of the Junior Knights and Junior Daughters, when they reach the age of 18, officially join the Knights of Peter Claver and the Ladies Auxiliary.

Proverbs 22:6 – Bible Gateway

I must believe that people will do the right thing for the right reason.

I read a quote from Max Lucado that says, “Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want.  It is the belief that God will do what is right.”

That is faith within itself.

I’m sure also that many who watched the price of gas go down this week had faith it wouldn’t go any higher.

This past Friday, I also received an email from one of my Catholic Brother Knights in Georgia, stating that one of our Brother Knights was receiving his last rites from the Priest.

Four hours later, I received another call saying that he had passed away.

It’s that faith I wonder about as well when we know death is imminent.

Each of us has taken the faith when we seek employment for the right job, and the faith that we will find another job when the employer decides to let us go.

I’ll wrap this up by saying that I never relented my faith when the family hadn’t heard from my older sister, and the relief it was when she appeared two years later.

Yes, we must have faith in the size of a mustard seed in times like these.

I’m a firm believer that everything is temporary.

Finally, just like the farmer who continues to plant his corn and cotton fields around me each year, he has faith that his crops will grow.

The farmer can’t see the seed working and must have faith in the process.

When I planted my yearly Mexican Roses a month ago, I could not see the roots taking hold until two weeks later, with little green sprouts popping through the soil.

Last year, one Rose appeared; this year, there is a 100% difference this year, with everything popping through the soil.

It is faith that it’s the same God yesterday as it is tomorrow.

Faith is believing in what you cannot see and trusting in what you hope for.

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” — Hebrews 11:1

“For nothing will be impossible with God.” — Luke 1:37

Today, take a moment and reflect on your faith. What’s your faith story running in the background of your mind that you tell yourself today, that you are leaving to all mighty?

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/faith/

Read More