Why everyone needs a Rabbi...even Agnostics!

Twirling the dial on my way to somewhere a few weeks ago, I came across a talk show host, Rabbi Daniel Lapin, who was talking about how everyone needed a Rabbi. Now, while I am not Jewish, I thought I knew what he meant and it intrigued me...

Rabbi means "teacher" in Hebrew. I thought, well, I could use a teacher...and in fact I have a number of them. I have a financial planner, Ed Ward, who is simply a great advisor. I have my personal physician, Dr. Larry (Greenblatt), one of the most caring, attentive and funny personal doctors a guy could have. I have my CPA, Laurel Rich, who keeps me in compliance with the IRS while offering advice on meeting my business retirement goals.

I also have some teachers in my Search and Rescue, my partners in Wealth Counsel LLC, and my law partner, Tom Lofton. Then there's my wife Susan and even my dog, Cosmo, a sometimes "bitey" dog who teaches you to watch what you are doing.

All in all - I have a lot of "Rabbi's" and as such "teachers" in my life - for that I am very thankful. I will strive to keep learning from all of them...while adding more along the way.

Oh, By the Way...

So how did it come that I named my blog, "Oh, By the Way..." anyway - interesting story.

As an attorney and business owner, I am always searching for that "a-ha" moment - you know, when you get the real insight into what someone is REALLY concerned about. Through my many years as an attorney, I thought I was getting pretty good at spotting the "crux of the matter" with my clients...until now.

My partner, Tom Lofton, and I decided to engage a business coach, Marc Johnstone, of Shirlaws Coaching to help us out. Shirlaws catchphrase is "Love Business." Turns out, they really do.

One of the many lessons for this old dog is that people need some time and space, comfort really, before they will open up. Asking the question, "What would you like to do today," is merely the starting point of the journey...it only lets you see the surface. To get deeper and closer, you need to say, "What else is there?" But I now believe that only when you give some space, ask that one final, "Is there anything else on your mind?"...and pause, do you really get to the gold. It is at this point when they say, "Oh, by the way, there is one more thing..."

BINGO...now you are at the pinnacle of what was bothering them. At this point you are gaining insight into the ONE THING that is most important to that person and where you can really make a difference to them. This is how I can truly help my clients...

So as I share my stories, experiences and those of others with you, I thought it only appropriate to name my blog the same thing, "Oh, By the Way... Now you know you are getting the "good stuff" when you read - I hope you enjoy the journey...

Sample audio blog post

About me...

This post was created via email using the body of the email and an attached photo.