REACH Interview Series: Tom Kolditz

Dec 15, 2017

Tom Kolditz had quite a few things to say about leadership! Currently, the founding Director of the Ann and John Doerr Institute for New Leaders at Rice University, Tom is a retired Brigadier General, who led the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership at West Point for 12 years and was also Director of the Leadership Development Program at the Yale School of Management. And if that isn’t enough, among his many national and international accomplishments, Tom also happens to be an expert skydiver who served 10 years as the senior instructor for the West Point Sport Parachute Team.

Five Top Ways of Avoiding Conversation at a Networking Event

Networking events can be stressful. The rational side of us knows we need to work the room – chit chat with strangers and build our contact list.

What often sets successful people apart is their willingness to do things most of us fear.

Many of us have lived, worked, or studied abroad, and if you haven’t, you’ve certainly read one of the many articles describing cultural differences.

The material in this post is adapted from my new book Reach: A New Strategy to Help You Step Outside Your Comfort Zone, Rise to the Challenge, and Build Confidence (launching January 24, 2017 with Penguin Random House).

Read More