The Martha Stewart trial makes clear how far women have risen in the business world. America can be proud of our equal-opportunity prosecution and conviction.

During the Boom Years, it was so easy to lose sight of basic values. For example, there was lots of nonsense said and written about the so-called "New Economy." Some people said all economic laws have been overturned! Then all the problems developed. Corporations were heavily fined for illegalities. Many of their senior-level executives were indicted, convicted, and sent to prison.

Friendly people are caring people, eager to provide encouragement and support when needed most.

Mindless habitual behavior is the enemy of innovation.

Confidence isn't optimism or pessimism, and it's not a character attribute. It's the expectation of a positive outcome.

Confidence is the sweet spot between arrogance and despair-consisting of positive expectations for favorable outcomes.

Leaders must pick causes they won't abandon easily, remain committed despite setbacks, and communicate their big ideas over and over again in every encounter.