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Appeal for votes or farewell tour?

Lately, Donald Trump has been looking for "love" in all the wrong places. Instead of focusing on competitive states, he has gone to previously solid red states. In Mobile, Alabama, he seemed almost pleading for support. It resembled more a farewell tour than an aggressive appeal for votes. He scarcely recognizes the loyalist candidates he is supposed to support. It is not “I need him back in Washington,” but more like he is nice — whatever. Contrition is not Trump's style; he has not done it, exactly, but his remarks that he has failed to properly explain his record are as close ...

SMART Tutoring Program beginning

Kump Education Center is starting the SMART tutoring program this coming week for 5th grade students from Elkins Middle School. SMART stands for Science, Math, and Reading Tutoring. We want our students to develop the curiosity that will make school more interesting and their lives more meaningful. The early grades focus on basic reading and math skills, but not much science. The 5th grade year is the perfect time for students to make an important shift from “leaning to read to reading to learn.” In early grades, students practice phonics, sight words, and reading short ...

High performance needs clarity, accountability

Why do you feel your leader is successful? I am fortunate that I get to observe many leaders and organizations.   I was at an extremely high-performing organization. By high-performing, I mean they are rated number one in their area in consumer trust. They have incredibly low employee turnover. They rate in the top 1 percent in having a culture of safety. They are financially successful. I spoke with a number of people in leadership at this organization and asked them what they feel creates and sustains their high performance. The three characteristics mentioned most are clarity, ...

Not Trump’s first rodeo

"In my own little corner in my own little chair" might come from Richard Rodgers' "Cinderella," but it certainly seems an appropriate mantra for Donald Trump, although his chair is considerably larger and he certainly cannot complain that "anyone" is standing in his way. During Xi Jinping's visit, he feted him with a sumptuous dinner and, no doubt, scintillating asides about his ballroom. Moreover, it must confuse his supporters that he honors the premier Communist leader in the world while, at taxpayers’ expense, financing partisan ads set to the strains of "Love Me", which falsely ...

Forest Festival brings out everyone’s best efforts

September is the season for Forest Festival preparation in Elkins. All the downtown store windows are peopled with manikins wearing velvet gowns once worn by former queens, maids of honor, and flower girls. Flags and banners festoon the light poles along our streets and even the biggest potholes have been filled by Elkins City Street Department. Sidewalk cracks are covered with pots of yellow mums. This year the decorations at Kump Center have reached a new high level thanks to the work of Anna Blosser and Laura Santmyer. A tall Cornhusk Princess stands near the front fence and ...

Understanding too often comes last

I often write and present on change. A change formula that I find helpful is B+A=O=U=F. The letters stand for Belief, Action, Outcomes (results), Understanding, and Faith.  Belief is the first step. There is the belief that a change will make a difference. That belief might be based on experience or an innate conviction that something can be better. This can be anything from a community project to organizational performance. If the CEO believes in a new process or technology, things will move more quickly. This does not mean someone else cannot start the process, but it will take a ...