what are the traits of a visionary leader? A visionary is a leader who works with imagination and insight. They are risk-takers and challenge-makers, people who can dream and anticipate the future. Though people see me as a visionary leader, I would like to believe that my vision comes from within my belief system of taking challenge... Read More »

I was assigned to the position of Principal at Eugene Field Elementary in August, 2003. I had been, I thought, a successful principal at Park Elementary for seven years prior. I knew it would be a challenge, but I had no idea what I was in for when I walked through the dark halls of an 83-year-old school building. Tulsa Public Schools... Read More »

Every day the food gets ordered, every night the food gets cooked and some how that’s the simplicity of running the kitchen. The season changes the menu for the chef and the purveyors make sure the food comes in. The staff then serves the food and the guest eat it. All very simple. Oh yeah, did I mention that I am in the hospitality... Read More »

When I was a child growing up in Tecumseh, Oklahoma, both of my parents served terms as mayor. They taught me many lessons I later carried with me to the Oklahoma Legislature, three terms as the state’s Lieutenant Governor and on into Congress – but one lesson stood out. The details matter! Serving as mayor of a small town is... Read More »

Growing Strong through a Personal Crisis A crisis is a time of trouble that becomes a turning point in our lives. We will all face a crisis at sometime in life. How a person responds to a crisis will affect not only the person individually but others as well. November 22, 2009, will forever be a marked moment in my life. My husband,... Read More »

The journey of my career has included business where I was a corporate attorney and advisor and a business owner and as a government official - first as Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Tourism, next as Tulsa Mayor, and now as Oklahoma Governor Henry’s Chief of Education Strategy and Innovation. The view from each road I traveled... Read More »

Too often businesses, large and small, have structured themselves to be goal- oriented. Milestones, statistics, and the bottom line are pursued like quarry – pelts to be displayed on the belts of CEOs. Business leaders cannot be faulted because we have become a product of our post-twentieth century western (American) culture that... Read More »

My discussions with executives confirm that every student who graduates from high school needs the same skills for success in college and the workplace. The development of good communication and computation skills, critical thinking and creativity is key to being competitive in our rapidly changing global economy. Oklahoma policymakers... Read More »

Performance Magazine: What keeps you up at night? Coach Eddie Sutton: If my kids and grandkids are going to be ok, and how long I will be Blessed enough to be a part of their lives. PM: In this age of corporate scandal, employment uncertainty, and mistrust of leaders today, what are the most effective ways you have found to create... Read More »

The best leaders inspire people to find fresh ways to look at long-accepted business practices. One such practice touches every business, every day—developing and maintaining a capable, loyal workforce. Over the years, QuikTrip devoted so much time and energy to developing employees by promoting from within that it led to a rather... Read More »