The Muddy Boots Blog
Dave Griffith

I have been thinking about Governance a lot of late. Not just for the companies I work with as a board member for profit and non, nor just for my own company, Modern Group, Ltd. Rather, I have been thinking about the connection between good governance, impact, stakeholders, and best practices as a director or Chair. First, good governance at the fundamental level is the same for the public and private, for-profit, and non-profit sectors—my observations and scar tissue. ·     

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, etal, and a Happy New Year. Jacqui and I hope you and your family are safe and that the year ahead is full of promise and opportunity. In this season of light, may we all bring some to those in need with our time, our treasure, and our talent. May we do so not just in this season but year-round, as the needs are tremendous and a hand up does so much more than a hand out. To quote from my ECS days," to go fast go alone, but

This post first went up on March 17 , 2024 the night my brother Chuck transitioned. Today I got the second call that my brother Alan, after a long battle with dementia, has also transitioned. The words I wrote then still stand. I was with him on Thanksgiving, and we had an hour alone. I know he knew I was there. His impact on so many was significant, and he set the bar for humble leadership and stewardship. I am the youngest of three brothers, between 16 and 12 years.  So, fo

I have not written in a while. My recovery from heart surgery is going remarkably well, and your well-wishes, cards, and support have been received and deeply appreciated. Rehab is not just a physical activity. As I reflected and shared with you when I was in the hospital, I am feeling the challenges of creating version 2.0 for the back nine —or, as my forum buddies remind me, the last 4 or 5 holes. For the first time, the words “In the time I have left” carry real weight. At

I am sitting in the cardiac care wing of the University of Pennsylvania Hospital in my fashionable hospital gown, looking out the 9th...

I have been thinking lately about the connection between an organization's Mission, Vision, and Values, and its Leadership. One reads and...

This June, I experienced the gift and lesson of gratitude firsthand. I had reason to check in with my doctor, and he ran a quick...

“All that evil needs is for a few good men and women to remain silent, inactive, or look the other way.” In our tradition and those of...

When I was a kid, like 65 years ago, we watched the evening news on a black and white TV and depending on your preferences you listen to...

Today, forty-six years ago, I walked out of St John’s Episcopal Church with Jacqui McEwen. To quote the Beatles, “The long and winding...

Trochdoras Griffithii, a thorny catfish of the family Doradidae, is found in the Amazon basin and is named after me. The scientific crew...

I sit on several for-profit and nonprofit boards. While a few are non-fiduciary, the majority are. “ A fiduciary duty involves  actions...

I have lived and worked in the Philadelphia region on and off for the last 45 years. For many of those years, I walked past Independence...

I retired the first time at 60 and the second at 70. For the first time in 48 years, I could sleep in. That was 15 months ago, and I have...

The following letter appeared in the 2022-2024 Annual Report of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. It has been my...

Thursday is Thanksgiving, and Sunday is the start of Advent. Given the state of things, as in a politically and economically divided...

When I became a manager for the first time in my career, I was 29 years old, and every one of my direct reports was older than me. I...

A clarion call is a strong request for something to happen. Answering such a call is often defined as one of purpose, a challenge to the...

We all know that we are human and have flaws, hopes, and dreams for ourselves and our families, and one would expect our country and...

For the record, my political affiliation. I am a fiscally conservative, socially liberal, registered Republican, and independent voter....