As a hunter, I am used to walking the same territory, looking for the same trees, the same paths, finding comfort in the ground beneath my feet, traversed by generations of hunters before me. Occasionally, I come across changes that disrupt my flow; a tree felled by a storm, a gulley created by water runoff. Nature’s changes feel inevitable, acceptable, fated in their arrivals. Like the wildlife around me, I simply alter my course and follow a new path, using my senses and skills to find my way.

Disruptions caused by humans, though, feel more intentional. Engineered to cause chaos, not calm.   We have spent a summer disrupted by road construction. At times it’s as if there is no way in and no way out of the places I go. Home, work, the city, the suburbs…all disrupted by orange cones and flashing lights. Can we, hunters, navigate this disruption the way we do a fallen tree in the woods? A tree that under the right conditions can deliver a crop of Morel mushrooms that make the change a fortuitous one?

As Americans, we faced a huge disruption on this day in 2001. Two planes deliberately crashed into a landmark and we were all changed instantly and forever. That tragedy colored our image of ourselves, our place in the world and our very existence. Everyone remembers where they were when it happened and how disaster continued to fall like dominos that day. We became united as Americans and as a tribe, reaching out to loved ones, embracing strangers, holding our families a little tighter as our hearts opened to the great losses of that day.

We all became hunters that day, able navigators finding a new path, leading to better days. I’d like to take a moment and reflect on the loved ones who were lost. Now, let’s reflect on disruption and how it alters the bedrock on which we stand. We can stare at a fallen tree and turn around and walk away. Or we can learn from nature to resume our flow, working within in the natural order to hunt down the best things in life.

Next Friday marks my second annual keynote speech at the Cattle Baron’s Shoot Out, a benefit for the American Cancer Society. It also marks the first time I will be speaking alongside my mother, Suzy Farbman about her journey with cancer. As part of my prep for the speech, I have been re-reading her memoir, Godsigns.

This got me to thinking about the signs we choose to acknowledge or ignore, as we go about hunting down the things we all want in life. Not to disregard the great meaning found in fortune cookies every day, but I truly believe nature (or Karma, or God) sends us signs all the time and it is our job to be present to receive them.

Once my mom was diagnosed with endometrial adenocarcinoma, she got that tingle, the realization that the universe was trying to tell her something. Here’s a short excerpt from Godsigns about her moment of revelation:

Godsigns. The things that happened earlier. Things that had been happening since I became sick. Meetings. Casual remarks. Odd discoveries. They were signs from some benevolent force that either wanted me well or wanted me to know that all would be well, no matter the outcome. In a leap of faith higher than the stars above, I sensed these were signs meant for me. They were so delicately times and orchestrated that – impossible as it seemed – they must have come from a mysterious, unknowable source. A source with infinite power, goodness and imagination.

What signs are you receiving every day? And which ones are you missing? Stay awake out there, hunters, and revel in what the universe has to tell you.

My mother celebrates her 11th cancer-free year this year. And her story will enlighten and empower and perhaps be a Godsign to the guests at the Cattle Baron’s Shoot Out on September 11 at The Huntsman Hunt Club in Dryden, MI. For more information, click here. http://gala.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=69745&pg=entry

Godsigns is available on Amazon.

Sometimes, we all need to remember how alike and connected we are to one another. Days go by, full of phone calls and texts, email and television, pushing us farther away from our fellow human beings. The marketing team at Carbon TV created this video that is a perfect reminder of the elemental connection we share with all living things and the planet we call “Mother Earth.” I hope you enjoy the video and the message that, when reduced to our lowest common denominator, to our basic core, we are all Carbon.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about what makes a great leader. I truly believe some people are born leaders, and some are made. I like to learn about leadership styles and the details that lead to the success of others, always striving to be the best leader I can be for my teams, my companies and my family. I have found all leaders share the same like qualities and characteristics that make them excel at hunting down success.

The best leaders are:

Authentic. They are real and authentic, using their stories and learning from their less than great moments.

Scouts. They can spot an opportunity, learn from it and pivot as the landscape changes – all in pursuit of their goal.

Curious. They ask tough questions, dig in deep, learn, think through macro points before they execute.

Believers. They believe in themselves, their teams and they build     on their belief through continuous learning and embracing their fear of the unknown.

Big Thinkers. They know, in their hearts and minds, that there is always something more out there.

Focused on a Desired Outcome. They set achievable goals and commit to hitting their targets.

Unstoppable. Great leaders are not held back by limitations, they go beyond their potential and see possibilities, not parameters.

Hunters.   They put their mind, body and soul into achieving the goals they set for themselves. They check in on their motivations to be certain they are always moving toward the bulls-eye.

We all have great leaders in our lives that we can learn from, be inspired by and aspire to be like. I grew up with great leaders right in my house; my parents were my first inspirations. These days, I find inspiration from the small business owners getting on their feet in Detroit; from the stories of my friends and fellow YPO members; from the Mark Zuckerbergs of the world who are changing the world as I type this. So, I ask you, hunters, whom can you learn from today? What will take your leadership to the next level?