One key factor in the downward spiral in our educational system is that there is too much stroking and too little real feedback.

Find the best in everybody, no matter how long you have to wait for them to show it

Look for the best in everybody

Throughout my academic career, I'd given some pretty good talks. But being considered the best speaker in the computer science department is like being known as the tallest of the Seven Dwarfs.

if you offer wisdom from a third party, it seems less arrogant and more acceptable.

No job is beneath you. You ought to be thrilled you got a job in the mailroom And when you get there, here's what you do: Be really great at sorting mail.

Read at least one book a month. This is self-serving, obviously. It's a proven fact that people who read buy more books than people who don't read. In truth, I wish you'd read ten books a month, or at least buy that many.