Shy of becoming leader of the free world, winning a Nobel Prize is one of the greatest achievements imaginable. The prestige, economic rewards, and permanent place in history are the stuff dreams are made of. Millions of scientists, artists, and humanitarians devote their life’s work to chasing this highly coveted award. But not Bob Dylan. […]
Read MoreYou have a work flight. After rising early and fighting through the joys of rush-hour traffic, you’re treated to an especially long TSA line. You catch some emails while you wait in security and then again as you’re delayed 85 minutes at the gate. You’d planned to go through your presentation during the flight, but, […]
Read MoreWhen I started my first company many years ago, I met with a local bank to explore a business loan. I had no idea what I was doing and could have easily been dismissed by the mid-level banker I visited. But instead of a cold rejection, Jennifer was warm and gracious. She extolled the benefits of […]
Read MoreZipping around the globe, I often find myself in the back of a taxi or an Uber. I used to painfully ruminate in frustration – sitting in traffic is a total waste of time, after all. But a few months back, I decided to look up from my mobile phone and strike up a conversation […]
Read More“Stop pushing yourself,” your angry four-inch tall shoulder-Devil whispers in your ear. “Let’s blow off the day and hang on the couch. You’ll never amount to much anyway.” We all have that inner voice – the negative one that whispers fear, guilt, and laziness into our ears. The voice that tells us to take a […]
Read MoreWhat do world-class athletes, prolific artists, and business titans have in common? What traits are shared by Picasso and Jay Z, Mark Zuckerberg and Leonardo DaVinci, Serena Williams and Mozart? I’ve been reflecting on this a lot recently, becoming increasingly curious to discover the commonalities of the most successful people in history. What makes a […]
Read MoreWhat organization offers the absolute worst customer experience? National Customer Shame surveys list utility companies and budget airlines, wireless carriers and shipping companies. But the overwhelming winner: The good old DMV, The Department of Motor Vehicles. When you imagine walking in for your soul-crushing visit, you’re instantly filled with dread. Long lines, rude service, bleak environment. The […]
Read MoreLasers pound their target with high velocity, but the starship remains unfazed. A force field protects our heroes from the vicious attacks of evil intruders, allowing them the opportunity to save the universe from impending doom. Force fields sure work great in Sci-Fi movies, but what about in reality? The aircraft manufacturer Boeing was recently […]
Read MoreWe’re taught as children to extend a helping hand to those in need, but few of us follow this sage advice as the pressures of life kick into high gear. What sounds good in theory is rarely practiced, especially when self-interest is the driving force. By nature, The Olympic Games are about achieving personal bests. […]
Read MoreI was recently enjoying lunch with a group of executives at a multinational corporation, discussing the workplace differences of various cultures around the world. One leader jokingly told me that in South America, where he oversees several offices and factories, there’s a running joke around the term “mañana” (“tomorrow” in Spanish). He teased that when […]
Read MoreIn an effort to get ahead in our careers, we test out new leadership tactics like we change our clothes. Whatever the current fad – from Lean Processes, to Management by Objective, to Agile Leadership – it’s easy to get sucked into the next promise of get-successful-quick. The truth is, one simple mindset has stood the […]
Read MoreThis past Thursday, Alphabet (Google’s parent company) conducted their quarterly earnings call. The company’s ability to grow and basically print money wasn’t unexpected at all, since they deliver exceptional performance with stunning regularity. What drew controversy was the amount of money the company lost in the quarter on moonshots, projects that could be game changers […]
Read MoreYony Feng is exactly what you’d imagine when thinking of a whiz kid software engineer. After earning both his Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Computer Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, he quickly moved to the heart of Silicon Valley. In high demand for his masterful computer skills, Yony served in top positions for […]
Read MoreIn an explosive combination of creativity, cutting-edge technology, and brilliant marketing, Pokémon GO has become a global craze in less than a week. The new portable game from Nintendo uses a technology called Augmented Reality, which allows a player to interact with the real world instead of just their screen. Game play involves discovering and […]
Read MoreYour mouth waters as you stare at the plate in front of you. You size up a sizzling, juicy burger, grilled to perfection. Charred top, juicy center, enchanting smell. That first bite sends your taste buds into a state of pure joy. Truly one of the best burgers you’ve ever gobbled. Except it isn’t a […]
Read MoreIn 1953, three employees of the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company created a mixture to protect missile skins. It didn’t work. They tried again – no luck. And again, and again. Finally, on the 40th try, they were successful. But besides the original product intent, they discovered an even broader use… Their invention became the […]
Read MoreRook to f5. Checkmate. How is it that some routinely smoke their opponents in a game where both sides have the identical force, there’s no luck of the draw, and the entire playing field is out in the open? While there are many cliché life lessons from the game of chess, there’s an often-overlooked concept […]
Read MoreIt stings. Another soul-crushing reprimand from a boss, parent, or spouse. That nauseous feeling when you feel unappreciated, misunderstood, and blamed. We’ve all been there, and in that knee-wobbling state we are far from playing at our best. On the other hand, remember how you felt after receiving a big boost of positive reinforcement. A […]
Read MoreDaniel Kahneman thinks so, and he’s no ordinary slouch. Kahneman won a Nobel Prize for his work in behavioral economics and is a NY Times bestselling author. His position is that advanced technology will soon eclipse the ‘computing power’ of even the best leaders, removing all errors in judgment while producing better outcomes. Kahneman isn’t alone. A […]
Read MoreAnother spam email hits your inbox: Dear [Name], We shall be shipping Gold to you. You will earn 10% of any gold you distributes. Your move: delete fast. Junk email is dangerous, you know it’s a bogus offer, and you’ve got far more important things to do. And what idiot replies to spam email? Yet […]
Read MoreJenny, a 1st grader, shows up to art class and doesn’t do so well with her first project. She feels embarrassed, stupid, rejected, and sad. Later, she goes to music class and has a similar experience. She didn’t pick it up as quickly as the other students, so she is once again stung by negative […]
Read MoreIn our frenetically busy lives, we all smack up against the same obstacle: time. The 24-hour clock is a brutal and unforgiving foe. It’s easy to fill the hours, feeling busy and anxious, only to look back at a stunningly puny amount of productivity. With unlimited access to information and frictionless global markets for goods, […]
Read MoreIf there’s a crowded business category, it’s nutrition bars. Hundreds of competitors have tripped over themselves for years, vying to gain ground. But one company burst onto the scene in 2010 and has already created a $1.0 billion valuation. Quest Nutrition was ranked the #2 fastest growing company in America by Inc. Magazine, chalking up […]
Read MoreThe pursuit of happiness is a right we hold dear — one of the core principles of freedom. But the term can create anxiety, confusion, and frustration as we chase such an illusive target. Is happiness a shiny new car? Financial security? Safety? A winning golf score? A Pharrell song? While happiness is a deeply personal […]
Read MoreHe’s appeared as a guest on nearly every talk show. Millions have viewed his Snapchat videos, memes, and “keys to success” as he’s quickly become a household name. Yes, hip-hop artist DJ Khaled is everywhere. This self-proclaimed mogul’s success tips seem never-ending, but is he the real deal or a flash in the pan? That […]
Read MoreThere are times in life when you come across a certain book that makes you rethink the world. Those rare finds that push you as both a person and a leader. I’m talking about the ones that hit you in the head, heart, and gut all at the same time. Coincidentally, two such books were […]
Read MoreIt’s been estimated that more than 200,000 people around the world proudly display a Harley Davidson tattoo on their bodies. Body art of Fender Guitars, Apple, Red Bull, and Chevy Trucks have also been permanently emblazoned on loyal customers’ skin. In these cases, the brand connection is so powerful that patrons express loyalty as a […]
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