Have you ever visited Mile Marker Zero in Key West, Florida? It’s at the end of Highway 1, a road that starts in Fort Kent, Maine, and travels approximately 2,300 miles down the East Coast to the intersection of Fleming and Whitehead Streets in Key West.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote,

“In the order of nature we cannot render benefits to those from whom we receive them, or only seldom. But the benefit we receive must be rendered again, line for line, deed for deed, cent for cent, to somebody."

I’m a graduate of Indiana State University. And no, we’re not the Hoosiers (a common question when I’m traveling outside of Indiana). We are the Sycamores. We are “almost famous” in my mind for two reasons. Those would be Larry Bird, and in the college of business, a nationally ranked Insurance and Risk Management (IRM) program.

#WhatsTheRisk is my tagline for this regular executive blog. Given that I’m an insurance broker, you may think the risks I write about are “hazards” such as your building catching fire. The reality is: the biggest risks to most organizations come from strategic and business risks that involve people and your leadership. That’s right. You might be the biggest liability at your company!

During the winter months, I spend quite a bit of time playing games with my boys. On our rides to visit family or nearby ski slopes we are usually lucky enough to have Mom drive, which means only one thing: electronic RISK via our iPads and iPhones.

You may drive around in your town
In a brand new shiny car
Your face in the wind, your haircut's in
And your friends think you're bizarre
You may find a cushy job and I hope that you go far
But if you really want to taste some cool success
You better learn to play guitar                                                           

~ John Mellencamp, Play Guitar

As I wrap up another year of blogging I want to give a big thanks to all of the guest bloggers who helped out in 2014. Your insights and wisdom were much appreciated…and our readers agreed! Here are the top executive blogs of 2014, many of which were written by our guest bloggers.

Kobe Bryant ____________. How would you finish that sentence?

• is fourth on the NBA's all-time points leaders list
• captained the US Olympic gold medal team in 2008
• was once a regular season and twice a finals MVP
• led the NBA in scoring two years in a row
• has been named to 14 All-NBA teams
• is a five-time NBA champion
• has missed more shots than anyone in the history of the NBA

“Greatness is a decision. It must be chosen.”

- Joe Calloway, Author of Be The Best At What Matters Most  

Have you ever pursued something “great”? If so, it likely started as a dream you knew would stretch you, your family, or your company beyond what might even seem possible. It developed out of wonder or excitement for the future or maybe just a necessary move to remain relevant. Then the dream evolved into an idea, a concept, or a strategy. Meetings were held, conversations were had, and plans were made. You critiqued it, talked about it, and ultimately decided to go for it.

So where do things sit now? Did you achieve what you wanted to? Too often, the answer is sadly “sort of” or “not entirely”.

“Dear Sir or Madam, will you read my book? It took me years to write, will you take a look?”

- The Beatles, Paperback Writer

Over the summer, I took a break from writing my weekly blog. It was a sabbatical of sorts so I could focus my energy and effort on – go figure – writing. In this case, it was to tell a story much bigger and more personal than a few blogs could do. And while it didn’t take years to write, it’s one that certainly developed over a number of years.