by Russ Riddle | Apr 27, 2016 | Communication
Walking downhill from the Grand Hyatt Seoul, my colleague Mary Ann and I can hear a local merchant shouting, “Genuine imitation!” This oxymoron has us chuckling. Namdaemun, Korea’s largest traditional market is bustling. Local products, sundries and food. And,...
by Russ Riddle | Mar 23, 2016 | Action, Creativity
It’s no secret that top writers and storytellers paint vivid word pictures evoking our five senses. They do so concisely, transporting us before we can “change the channel.” Two of my favorites, Don Henley and the late Glenn Frey instantly placed us “on a dark desert...
by Russ Riddle | Jan 13, 2016 | Positivity, Relationships
I missed it yesterday. The sunset. Needed to send a couple last emails before relaxing on the deck. Just two. Done! Too late. Darkness had fallen. Lucky for me, there was another opportunity today. I seized it! Bright orange . . . fading to pink . . . to violet . . ....
by Russ Riddle | Dec 2, 2015 | Relationships
“Community” is a word that gets thrown around. Much like “love.” Everyone wants it. Many groups claim it. Still actual community is less common. Recently, I had the pleasure of sharing my views of community. I was preaching to the choir, as my audience was 55 or so...
by Russ Riddle | Nov 18, 2015 | Fun, Relationships
Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. That’s right, not Christmas, Thanksgiving! Certain radio stations and most retailers seem hell-bent on blowing past turkeys to turtle doves, but I refuse to participate until the big guy anchors Macy’s procession! For...
by Russ Riddle | Nov 11, 2015 | Communication
Stage fright is natural. Actually good, so long as you harness those nerves to your advantage. Nerves give you an edge of energy and focus. Adrenaline’s gushing (along with lots of other chemicals) and you’re acutely present. A presence your audience will embrace....
by Russ Riddle | Nov 4, 2015 | Leadership
Crossing Calmont Avenue, look – It’s a nerd. It’s a crane. It’s Stuporman! Faster than a speeding police cruiser, more powerful than an ulterior motive, able to leap to safety in a single bound. I’m 23 years old, lanky and (I feel) “bullet-proof.” Stratford Place...
by Russ Riddle | Oct 28, 2015 | Leadership
Flashlights lit my nocturnal adventures as a boy. Going on a bear hunt indoors or out. Drawing light pictures on the ceiling. Reading Spiderman comic books under the covers long after bedtime. Just the possibility of getting caught made the latter exciting. Nothing...
by Russ Riddle | Oct 27, 2015 | Humor
The crowd roars with laughter. I’m giggling with them, though I missed the punch line. My wife, Tesa, is laughing too. I ask, “What did he say?” “I don’t know.” So why are we both cackling when neither of us knows why? Because laughter is contagious. We can scarcely...
by Russ Riddle | Oct 13, 2015 | Uncategorized
My colleague Alex Ramsey asserts that “virgin viewers never see a visual aid exactly as we do when we prepared it in advance.” As the creator, we planned, developed and slept with it. Then revised and revised further. In our minds, the final visual is spot on in...
