And if you’re waiting for perfect clarity, or the perfect answer, or the perfect timing — you’re waiting for something that doesn’t exist.
Author: Keith Paul
Swearing Might Make You a Better Leader
Turns out, swearing isn’t just a meme about smart people — it’s a leadership tactic, too. Used right, it breaks tension, builds trust, and clears the air. Here’s a quick read on lalochezia, and why you might want to embrace the occasional expletive.
The Five Weeks of April
We live in ‘thirty-day months.’ We do not always control the landscape we inherit. But great leaders learn to work not just within those frames — but between them.
Why Do the Troublemakers Get a Free Pass at Work? (While the Rest of Us Get Exhausted.)
First, a truth bomb: people who stir the pot are exhausting to manage. That’s not an excuse—it’s a reality.
Marketers Are Bullshit Artists. Don’t Bullshit the Bullshitter.
There’s a fundamental lesson here that’s bigger than marketing: know your audience. Not in the theoretical, brand-deck sense. Really know them.
Deviant by Design: Reimagining Leadership
In today’s complex, messy environments—especially in higher education and mission-driven sectors—leaders are being asked to do more than “manage.” We’re being asked to shift culture, invite belonging, and solve problems that don’t have a clear path forward. That’s why we need a new kind of leadership. One that is creative, contextual, and deeply human. Enter […]
Personalized, Data-Informed Marketing: A Lifelong Engagement Imperative [The Evolllution]
In today’s rapidly evolving world, engaging learners throughout their entire journey has become a strategic necessity. Across Fortune 100 firms, teaching at a flagship university and stints leading marketing in community colleges, I have witnessed firsthand how traditional, one-size-fits-all approaches no longer suffice. Instead, personalized, data-informed marketing strategies are proving essential to connecting with and retaining […]
Grindr, the Crutch, and the Chase
By a CMO Who Knows Both the Algorithm and the Allure
Power-Ups and Pathways: a Leadership Parable
Once upon a time, in the bustling world of higher education, there was a small but mighty community college led by a team of dedicated professionals. Among them was Keith, whose reputation as an adaptable achiever has been key to his team’s success. Keith’s days were filled with challenges. Hammers of varying sizes seemed […]
Pages to Thrive in 2025
Ok, so my commute affords me time to listen to books. After a lifetime of reading here or there, I read or listed to 22 books in 2023 and a whopping 56 in 2024. All while earning a master’s degree and PMP certification in that time! Woof. And here we go: May The Rediscovery of […]
How to Handle Infamous “People Are Saying” Claims
We’ve all been there. You’re in a meeting or chatting with a colleague, and someone says, “Well, people are saying…” Suddenly, you’re stuck trying to respond to a vague, faceless “people” who apparently have opinions but no names. Frustrating, right? The problem with “people are saying” is that it sounds legitimate while being frustratingly nonspecific. […]
Everybody’s a Marketer: Musings of a Community College CMO
Ah, marketing! The world’s favorite spectator sport, right up there with Monday Night Football and The Bachelor. After 25 years in the game—spanning the intense halls of Fortune 100 conference rooms, the frenetic energy of startups, and now the inspiring landscape of higher ed—I’ve seen it all. And if there’s one truth that spans every […]
From Leftovers to Flavor: A Bean & Bacon Soup Made with Kitchen Finds
Every now and then, I’ll go through the fridge and cupboards to use up leftovers and random bits. With zero plan today, I came up with an amazing new version of bean and bacon soup. Here’s the rough recipe. I didn’t write anything down as I cooked… feel feel to try (and adapt)! Ingredients 3 […]
Embracing AI: What I, Robot Teaches Us
AI is everywhere these days, and it’s normal to feel a bit uneasy about it. After all, the idea of machines that think like humans can be pretty intimidating. But if you’ve ever read Isaac Asimov’s I, Robot, you might realize that our relationship with AI doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. In […]
Talking Shop: Marketing is a Contact Sport
Here’s a fun Q&A from a recent interview I did with CASE Currents magazine. CASE is the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. Read on…
The vibrant life within a forest
I’m a curious fella. Choose your perspective on that thought. Haha. Anyway, I asked my AI buddy ChatGPT to describe me using the characteristics of my name and of the attributes I share at the right of this page. Here’s what ChatGPT says about dear ol’ me, I mean aside from calling me old: PROMPT: […]
Captain’s Log: Stardate 2024.0405
Leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s about knowing the mission, knowing yourself, and earning your crew’s trust — one decision at a time.
