Tim McGuire

Birthday: March 24, 1949

Hometown: Mt. Pleasant, Mich.

Married: Jean Fannin McGuire, former assistant managing editor, now homemaker

Children: Tracy 23, Jason 21, Jeff 17

Self portrait: Honest, loud, a tad outrageous, committed, focused, creative and caring

Bad habit: Engaging mouth before mind.

Pet peeve: People who accept no personal responsibility.

My newspaper’s strength: The Star Tribune is sophisticated and thoughtful. It’s well designed and well presented, and on most days it reflects its community well.

My trademark expression: “You’ve got to laugh, or you’ll cry.”

Best advice I could give a 20-year-old: Life is a journey and you’re not driving the bus.

My best asset is: I have been blessed with the ability to clearly focus on problems and solutions.

Most difficult decision as a leader: Giving up on someone. I hate it so much I hang on longer than I should.

Tips on leadership: Be honest. Dream. Set high standards. Be honest.

Books at bedside: “Mile High Club” by Kinky Friedman; “The Art of Happiness” by the Dalai Lama; “Ethics” by William Frankena.

I’m happiest when: I’m doing something, anything with my wife and/or my kids. Watching ponies race around in a circle is good too.