In Episode 228, I speak author, speaker, consultant, and supreme optimist, Ed Doherty. As a lifelong business leader, consultant, volunteer and the father of a handicapped adult child, Ed's optimism, persistence, and focus on the development of others has impacted hundreds of people over the years and continues to do so. He ran my first marathon, the Boston Marathon at the age of 70 years old, and published his first book at the age of 72 years old, so he believes it is never too late to achieve your goals. Ed has just celebrated his 50th anniversary, and when I asked him how he stayed happily married for so long, he said he made the choice to be happy, rather than being right. This is an entertaining, optimistic, and inspiring conversation, not to be missed..
Ed Doherty, a Massachusetts native who has lived and worked all over the United States in his roles as a restaurant executive, leadership development expert, and volunteer, has completed his new book “Observations at the Speed of Life”: a compelling memoir comprised of short stories from throughout the author’s life, documenting his struggles, triumphs, and various life lessons learned along the way as he managed to find his place in the world with friends and family by his side.
Best known for developing talented individuals into top performers, author Ed Doherty’s varied experience includes roles as vice president for a national company’s $58-million region based in Los Angeles and San Francisco, years as the chief human resource officer of an eleven-thousand-employee company based in Memphis, and serving as president of a $22-million franchised restaurant group in Cincinnati. His volunteer experience spans decades with the March of Dimes, Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity, his community, and his church.
Today, Ed heads up Ambrose Landen LLC, a consulting firm that specializes in strategic planning, leadership development, and employee engagement in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors. “Observations at the Speed of Life” is a collection of stories that have been shared with others throughout a career of mentoring and motivating friends, family, and coworkers. Sometimes humorous, sometimes inspirational, and occasionally packed with wisdom. They are all about aspiring to be the best version of yourself. Some of the essays are very personal, and some are philosophical, but regardless, each one packs a message about hope and the value of persistence. This book is a result of more than forty years of preparing and writing weekly messages to the teams Ed managed. Those messages consisted of his workplace observations about performance, motivation, management, leadership, and integrity. They were timely lessons that could be applied immediately.
In this conversation, Ed shares many of his observations and powerful stories. None more powerful than the message he shared when I asked how he had stayed married for 50 years. He told me he made a decision early that his marriage would be a feedback free zone and that he would choose being happy over being right. This is a wonderful conversation I know you will enjoy.
To find out more about Ed, Click here
My website is www.andrewjobling.com.au