Ideas for
the long
ride

Good Intentions Don’t Fuel the Ride

Good intentions matter. But leadership only moves when intent becomes a choice, a commitment and action.

Busy Isn't the Same as Leading

People Remember the Connection

Leadership in
Transformational
Times

What Motorcycles Taught Me About Management

Trust, Transparency and Radical Visibility

The Power of the Coin: What Organizations Can Learn from an honored Military Tradition

The Blame Game Will Kill You as a Leader

Breakthrough Leaders: Compassion & Service

Culture: You can't "live it"
if you can't "define it!"

Getting Stuck in a Toxic Culture

3 Things I Learned in the Dark
and THE Best Advice I Ever Received

Change is inevitable,
except from vending machines

Leadership Lessons from
the "Greatest Generation"

LEADERS, CHECK YOUR MIRRORS!

One of the best things about riding motorcycles is the time you get "inside your head." I often use those moments reflecting on where I've been on my "professional ride," and remembering all the leaders and mentors who thought me worthy of investing time, talent, and treasure in my journey.

ATTITUDE REFLECTS LEADERSHIP!

2017 was a WONDERFUL YEAR
of Full-Throttle Goodness!

In the 1946 Christmas Classic, "It's a Wonderful Life," George Bailey is a man who has given up his dreams in order to help others. When an unexpected calamity occurs, a despondent and angry George decides everyone he knows would be better off without him. Help arrives in the form of Guardian Angel 2nd Class

Fueling Your Ride with
“Passion-Power & Purpose”
to Give-Back and Change the World

I have been riding motorcycles for about 45 years; it is what I do for pure enjoyment. There are few things better than getting out on the open road, seeing new places and meeting interesting people.

Leadership: Get REAL!

Seems like I've been asked to discuss "TEAM" a lot this year; how to build a great team, determine why some teams fail so completely and provide some helpful insights into behaviors (good and bad) that are present in all teams. At a recent All-Team Conference, I delivered a presentation entitled, "Your Team Sucks-Now What?"

Full-Throttle Leadership:
Capability, Responsibility
& Influence

There is a popular saying in the Harley-Davidson motorcycle community; “If I have to explain it, you wouldn't understand." Bikers have a hard time explaining "IT” – our deep appreciation for the freedom we feel when riding – to those who don’t have the same connection to this shared experience.

Team-building:
Is the JUICE
worth the SQUEEZE?

Organizations do strange things in the name of "team building." Most of it fails spectacularly! For too long team building has been nothing more than simple games poorly executed and resulting in a false sense of team solidarity.

Make an INFLUENCE
Resolution this Year

It's that time again. Promise to do this. Expect to accomplish that. We make all kinds of resolutions every New Year - 90% of them related to health and relationships - and most of us will, sadly, not achieve them. Maybe that's because most New Year Resolutions are focused inward - on us.

Lessons from
The Leadership Compass

It's been said there are three rules for developing good leaders, but unfortunately no one knows what they are! The misconceptions of what makes a great leader have caused many organizations to choose leaders based on stage performance, confidence, passion for personal achievement and other personality characteristics – and often those choices have failed spectacularly.

Foster+Fathom
"Best of the Road" 2013 - PLACES

2013 was full of "road trips" - first-time stops at some new places on the map as well as return visits to some of my favorite locales. Each of them was another interesting journey all its own.

Foster+Fathom
"Best of the Road" 2013 - FACES

One of the best things about 2013 was the many faces I met along the road. Whether at work or play, some amazing people touched my life and made this year one to remember. (l-r) ABC News Channel 10 Reporter Bob Lawrence featured my "Full-Throttle Leadership Ride" on a stop in San Diego

"Best of the Road" 2013
A Day in Dealey Plaza

It's not often you get a chance to be part of something truly historic. I had that opportunity earlier this year on Nov. 22. in a place named Dealey Plaza. It's a location I know well. Some of you might not know that I spent many years researching the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy for a variety of films, books and publications.

Foster+Fathom
"Best of the Road" 2013 - INFLUENCE

Another year is nearly done, so it's the time to look back and reflect on the amazing adventures, incredible people and inspiring moments we experienced in 2013. Influence was a running theme throughout this year; from working with organizations and individuals on business strategies, facilitating team building events, speaking at conferences or just meeting people

MPI Spotlights
the "Full-Throttle
Leadership Ride"

The Full-Throttle Leadership Ride is MPI's "First Thing" feature in this month's issue of The Meeting Professional magazine. Check it out!

Tide for Troops:
a small idea delivers
a BIG piece of home

"Can I get a Roll Tide?" Justin Crisler loves the Alabama Crimson Tide. He chose to express his team spirit on social media, so the Huntsville man created the Facebook page, "Can I get a Roll Tide?"

Bikers: Why We Ride?
It's Who We Are

Last week a friend of mine lost her Dad. I didn't know Andy Garner, but his daughter, Blair, is a colleague, a friend and a daily breath of fresh air around the office. To show our love and support for the family, everyone from work attended the memorial service.

Activate Your Goodness
through Leadership!

My friend, Alison Kieckhafer, CMP, is on to something BIG! When she assumed the presidency of the Meeting Professionals International Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter earlier this year, Alison chose a powerful theme for her term; "Activate Your Goodness." She has personally challenged all 800+ chapter members to act on improving the community and the larger world

Going flat out doesn't
mean you're on
the right road!

Back home from the "Full-Throttle Leadership Ride" and already had the opportunity to present a session on "Passion, Power & Purpose" based on my 13,000-mile solo motorcycle ride along the perimeter of the US to raise funds and awareness for America's military through a great organization, The Boot Campaign (www.bootcampaign.com).

The Full-Throttle Leadership
Ride through The Redwoods

Full-Throttle Leadership
Road Tunes: Brothers in Arms

I just spent the last month riding the perimeter of the country on a motorcycle! My Boot Campaign Desert ALTAMA Army boots were on my feet for all 32 Days, 34 States, 13,000 Miles, and if that sounds like a lot of time with your butt on a motorcycle seat, it is!

Day 25: Junction to San Marcos.
150 Miles

Short post for today's ride. Continued down I-10 toward San Antonio and a rendezvous with my family. I hadn't seen Wendy and the kids in over a month, so just hanging out with them for a day was a welcome relief from the road.

Tombstone,
A Ghost Town
& The Junction Boys

Day 23: Phoenix to Las Cruces. 423 Miles Left Phoenix under cloudy skies and a bit of rain, but since I was headed into the desert, the cooler temperatures were a welcome start to the day.

Day 22: San Diego to Phoenix.
382 Miles

Today, the Full-Throttle Leadership Ride heads into its final week. To date, I've logged about 10,000 miles through 30 states. More than three-quarters of the Ride is complete. WOW! I head east on I-8, leaving the West Coast, the twisties, mountains and ocean behind me.

Two different leadership
encounters on the FTLR

I begin today's post recounting experiences with two different people along the Full-Throttle Leadership Ride. The first was a man I met in NYC at the 9-11 Memorial.

Gripes, Stripes and
Crazy Cali Drivers on the FTLR!

Day 21: Oakland to Morro Bay. 235 Miles Wasn't expecting much after the previous day's Ride. I already had seen images and experienced sights I will never forget. Lucky for me, there was so much more still to experience.

The Full-Throttle
Leadership Ride
is "California Dreamin'!"

Day 20: Coos Bay to Oakland. 525 Miles. Today's route along U.S. 101, first on the Oregon Coast Highway and then into California on the Redwood Highway, was one I had been looking forward to since planning began a few years ago.

Full-Throttle Leadership:
Dedicated to all those
who have Served and Sacrificed.

Day 19: Portland to Coos Bay. 258 Miles Got started late this morning. Just needed a little extra time to saddle-up. Three weeks in, 7,000 miles ridden and 25 states visited.

Spacious Skies,
Amber Waves
& Purple Mountain Majesty!

Day 18: Coeur d'Alene to Portland. 397 Miles. After an extra day off the bike, it is time to get back on the Ride. Weather forces a change in route, as rain and cloud-to-ground lightning in and around Seattle make it necessary to detour south, so it's off to Portland.

Westward HO! for
the Full-Throttle Leadership Ride

Day 15: St. Paul to Bismarck. 449 Miles The day started gloomy with heavy rains throughout the area. Thought I might have to postpone a day, but the skies cleared just enough for me to chance a run with a late departure.

Full-Throttle Leadership:
Can YOU Go the Distance?

So, I'm out here on the road, just me and my Harley. According to the odometer, The Full-Throttle Leadership Ride has logged about 5,000 miles and I've visited 23 states. I've been pummeled by wicked rain in Florida, scorched by a devil of a sun in New Jersey, and whipped by winds rolling across the Enchanted Highway!

The Full-Throttle Leadership
Ride finds the American Spirit
Alive and Well!

Day 10: Norfolk to New York City. 376 Miles Passed through five states today, beginning with some terrific views of the eastern Shore of Virginia. Paid my FIRST $13.00 toll first of the trip, riding over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge (and through the tunnel) for some great views of the coastline.

The FTLR Rolls
through Week One!

Day 6: Fort Myers to Key West. 282 Miles After a full day of rest and drying out from the thunderstorms, it was an early morning KSU to Key West. Rolled down the US 41, The Tamiami Trail, also known as Alligator Alley, through the Heart of the Florida Everglades.

Boots in the Deep South
The FTLR Rolls On!

Day 3: New Orleans to Panama City Beach. 315 Miles The morning began with a special reminder of just what this Ride is all about. Clem Goldberger with the National WWII Museum in New Orleans arranged a special interview with two WWII veterans, Bert Stolier and Tom Blakey.

Full-Throttle with Aggies
and Tigers and Bourbon Street,
Oh My!

Day 2: Houston to New Orleans. 375 Miles It's Boots on the Bayou as The Full-Throttle Leadership Ride (FTLR) rolls into The Big Easy. New Orleans is absolutely one of my favorite places anywhere in the world. My nephew, David Cromer left Houston with me this morning, so I had an official "Support Vehicle" and some company.

Kick Stand Up on
The Full-Throttle Leadership Ride

Day 1: Dallas to Houston. 277.50 Miles. Today was "technically" a staging day; headed south to Houston to begin the ride along the perimeter. Not much in the way of experience or expectation on Day 1, but then again, you never know what lessons await.

24 Hours until Kick Stands Up on Full-Throttle Leadership Ride

24 Hours and Counting until KSU (kick stands up for the non-bikers) on The Full-Throttle Leadership Ride along the U.S. Perimeter. I'm so proud to partner with The Boot Campaign on this amazing journey across 32 Days, 34 States and 15,000 miles to show appreciation for our troops, cultivate awareness of the challenges they face

A Bucket List item becomes
a Boot Ride to say, "Thank You"

As I prepare to depart Friday on my Full-Throttle Leadership Ride along the U.S. Perimeter, the question most everyone asks is, "why?" The idea of riding the "Edge of America" on a Harley-Davidson began as a bucket list item several years ago, something I've always wanted to do.

What's The Full-Throttle Leadership Ride all About?

Check out The Boot Campaign Why We Do This

Lace Up, America!

The Full-Throttle Leadership Ride is proud to partner with The Boot Campaign, a grassroots initiative started by five women from Texas known as the Boot Girls. The campaign encourages everyone to “get their boots on” providing an easy and tangible way for Americans to support the troops, our veterans and military families.

Follow the Route of the Full-Throttle Leadership Ride

The route is set, the official stops are confirmed and we're close to Kick Stands Up on The Full-Throttle Leadership Ride "On the Edge of America!" Harley-Davidson LIFE Member Steven Foster is hitting the road on his 110th Anniversary Heritage Softail Classic and riding the perimeter of the U.S. to raise awareness and support for The Boot Campaign.

What are YOU doing this Summer?

Dates are set for The Full-Throttle Leadership Ride along the U.S. Perimeter this Summer. We'll be supporting The Boot Campaign http://www.bootcampaign.com/ Stay tuned for ways you can participate!