In a world filled with constant movement, nomadic careers and life changes, annual rituals and traditions serve to re-energize and re-connect tribal members. So my question for you in this month that we associate with family and gatherings is what are your tribal rituals? What symbolic activity or gathering, can those in your business and/or family tribe depend on? What traditions will they pass on to new employees and new family members and in so doing honor and remember you and remember your tribe's mission?

Mr. Whalen is a mild mannered southern gentleman, who delivered one of the most inspiring CEO keynote presentations I have ever heard at any business convention! As you might imagine I go to a few. Mr. Whalen, or Gus, as he likes to be called, needs neither booming CEO voice, nor Donald Trump bravado to leave a lasting impact. He makes an impact on everyone he meets, from front-line employees to his manufacturing clients to touching tomorrow's generation. Two of his mantras are: "Our children are the living messages to the world we do not see" and "The only profit a company has is the community that it creates."

Please don't tell me HRD/Training Managers that you're still hanging those "Employee of the Month" plaques in your lobby that make even the most professional employee look like a felon -- let alone valued and important!  Alas, don't admit that your training manuals would even put a die-hard reader of Popular Mechanics to Sleep!  Do your Employee Retirement Parties bring tears to everyone in the room, particularly the retiree, because of a lack of imagination or real thought?  Well, perhaps it's time to get funny (literally) and create WOW! Training Materials and Recognition Programs that engage us and capture our attention.