Bill Peel

It was a pleasure to be interviewed as a part of the Texas A&M University College of Architecture “Lessons in Leadership” program. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwWUVwIuFMU

I  was in a large lecture hall at Mays Business School, waiting for a presentation by the “U.S. National Elevator Pitch Champion.” Everyone in the room was at least four decades younger than me, but I was intrigued to hear from the widely celebrated speaker. He had just coached the A&M Pitch team to victory in the largest and most lucrative pitch competition in the world. That alone piqued my interest. In a quick moment a hand reached out and said, “I’m Chris! Thanks for being here.” As the evening unfolded, I was enthralled with how eloquently Chris Westfall shared his philosophy, his “Leadership Language,” and how he engaged and entertained the audience.  It’s challenging for this charisma to convey in writing, yet, this book articulates the foundation of Chris’ award-winning philosophy. I burned through two highlighters, and eventually had to change colors, to capture the points that resonate in his “10 Leadership Factors.” What looks like a simple (and possibly fast)...

Christoph Niemann never ceases to amaze me. He is not only one of the finest graphic artists on the planet, but is also a creative genius. I could study this book for hours and never tire of the iconic drawings and innovative concepts. It’ll have a prominent spot beside a favorite reading chair for frequent perusing and persistent inspiration.

This short book was recommended to me by my dear friend, and fellow voracious reader, Robert Riggs. It’s interesting how the fable reinforces Amazon’s Four Pillars - Customer Centricity. Continuous Optimization. Culture of Innovation. Corporate Agility. It’s an easy read, yet prompts many opportunities for introspection and reflection. The examples are clear, concise and memorable. The Buyer Legend process is enticing and worth examining for any entrepreneur or executive who is committed to turning the four part Amazon “fly wheel.”

The following idea was presented to the Texas A&M University, College of Architecture) for consideration. Texas A&M has a highly loyal and engaged alumni, as is evidenced by the high levels of financial support to the University and the individual colleges.  Former Students give generously of their time as well, returning to the University to lecture, critique student work, and serve on a range of advisory councils. The common denominator in this dedication is far more than philanthropy; it is a fervent commitment to enhancing the depth, breadth, and quality of the educational experience and the students’ return on their academic investment.  There is an even greater under-tapped resource in this dedicated alumni base – the fervent desire to share their experiences and expertise as they make the shift from success to significance at the apex of their careers.  This premise has prompted the idea of developing an innovative forum where F...