Michelle Obama is a powerful example of someone who has learned how to align her actions with her values, manage boundaries across domains of life, and embrace change courageously.

People struggle most with seeing new ways of doing things and often need help in breaking through their tradition-bound mindsets.

Skilled leaders focus on "we," not "me."

We all want to have a rich and meaningful work life and a fulfilling life beyond work.

"Leading" is about mobilizing people toward valued goals.

Firms that fully embrace the needs and interests of the whole person will win today's competition for the best talent.

Knowing what matters most, what I call "being real," is the alpha and omega for leaders.

When employers no longer offer secure full-time employment with benefits, then it's hard to expect employees to be loyal, engaged, and maximally productive.

Curiosity about the world and questioning of the status quo to open minds to alternative visions of the future are essential leadership skills. And they can be learned.

The worst thing you can do, despite the innumerable obstacles we confront, is to not try.

The principles that apply to engagement for employees are the same as those that apply to supervisors.

It is not his body which makes a man strong, but his spirit. Nothing on the outside, but only that which comes from within.

Love is stronger than anger. Love is stronger than hate - stronger than anything.

Many an American jazz musician has been beguiled by the lush melodies and sumptuous rhythms of Brazilian music, but Peter Sprague has taken the romance a good deal further than most.

Music from my iPod was setting my life to a dramatic soundtrack that only I could hear.

If nobody ever offers an opinion or takes the slightest interest in one's production, one loses not only all pleasure in them, but all power of judging their value.

I'm proud of the two adjectives, superficial and frivolous.

I feel awful for women who are trying to raise kids on their own, with zero income and no fathers present - that's single motherhood.

I used to work in a record store. I'm kind of a record nerd.

Good clothes open all doors.

I ain't never been the type of person out at the movies and holding hands and riding around listening to R. Kelly.