We’re often told to follow the rules, do what we’re told, and for goodness sake, don’t make waves. But in today’s hyper-competitive economy, isn’t that a surefire path to mediocrity? Look at those that we celebrate – from Thomas Edison to Elon Musk; from Sheryl Sandberg to Tony Robbins. The ones that make history have […]
Read MoreIn our quest for achievement, it’s easy to get caught up in complexity. We often think something has to be difficult in order for it to drive real progress. But then something so simple comes along that drives the most profound advancement in our careers, companies, and even in communities. I’ve discovered three dead-simple questions […]
Read MoreAccording to a report from Yale University Press, 99.9% of all species that have ever lived on Earth are now extinct. That’s over five billion species completely wiped out. Why such a gigantic failure rate? The species that die off are “those that are no longer able to survive in changing conditions or against superior […]
Read MoreWhen the space shuttle blasts off, two-thirds of its fuel is consumed in the first 20 minutes of flight. The remaining amount powers the shuttle for up to two weeks, including re-entry and landing. The phenomenon at play: escape velocity. Scientists describe the concept as the amount of force required to break free from the gravitational […]
Read MoreOn a recent business trip to Denver, I was able to grab breakfast at one of my favorite morning spots. Snooze Eatery is a funky, retro-themed breakfast joint with incredible food and service. They have an inventive menu and cool vibe, but so do many other AM cafes. As I sat down, I wondered what […]
Read MoreWhen we look to initiate change or growth, some sort of behavior shift is generally required. Want to sell more products? Probably involves making more cold calls, training more sales people, or improving marketing efforts. Looking to remain relevant in the workforce? This objective will likely require more learning, reading, or skill development. Whether our […]
Read MoreYour chicken salad sandwich wasn’t bad, really. It was ‘good enough.’ The service wasn’t speedy, but also wasn’t horribly slow. It was just good enough. The environment was a bit messy and a tad dirty, but didn’t justify a call to the Health Department. “I guess it was good enough,” you mutter as you leave […]
Read MoreIf there’s a silver lining in today’s polarizing political landscape, it’s the increase in activism that is sweeping our country. With intensity unseen since the protests of the 1960s, citizens are standing up for their beliefs in record numbers. Marches, protests, and rallies are a daily occurrence, covering issues ranging from gun control to equality […]
Read MoreWe’ve all been in business meetings that drone on endlessly, only to be followed with zero change, action or results. Silver-tongued bosses spouting platitudes rarely translates into meaningful transformation. In fact, many of us have become desensitized to big new ideas, because in our previous experiences, few concepts actually come to fruition. If you’re frustrated […]
Read MoreNorth Korea, a country with whom we were recently on the brink of nuclear war, has just singed a peace accord with their nemesis (and our ally), South Korea. The two countries concluded a historic peace summit to denuclearize the peninsula and even explore unification of the two previously enemy states. Things that we […]
Read MoreLong before Law and Order, Lieutenant Columbo was the detective that TV fans adored. Running from 1968-1990, millions hung on the edge of their seats waiting for each Columbo mystery to be solved by our lovable hero. Columbo’s secret of cracking the case had nothing to do with fancy DNA tests, web searches, or advanced surveillance. […]
Read MoreMartin Luther King, Jr. inspired a generation with his powerful “I have a dream” address. JFK, Ronald Reagan, and Bill Clinton reached the highest office in the land, in part by delivering moving speeches. TED talks have vaulted unknowns to celebrity status based on their ability to deliver compelling and inspiring messages. Simply put, great […]
Read MoreImagine that a loved one is on the operating table in a life-or-death situation. You and your family gather in the waiting room waiting with bated breath for the doctor to communicate the results of this life-saving procedure. When the surgeon finally arrives, you don’t want to hear about how hard she and her team labored. You don’t want to hear that she “gave […]
Read MoreWilly Wonka: “Going up? This is an ingenious invention that I call the Wonkavator.” Grandpa Joe: “It looks like an elevator to me.” Willy Wonka: “Yes but elevators only go up. The Wonkavator goes up, down, sideways and every other which way you can think of going.” Charlie Bucket: “Wow.” When Willy Wonka and the […]
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 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 MoreThe new, bold vision is revealed with dramatic fanfare. This year, the CEO boasts, we will reach new heights, delight customers, improve profits, and preserve the environment. The newcomers in the room feel a sense of excitement and relish the vivid picture of success, but you just roll your eyes and sulk back to your […]
Read MoreWhat Was: “That’s the way we’ve always done things.” What Is: “Don’t rock the apple cart; if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” What’s Next: “I wonder what would happen if we took an entirely different route…” When you think about your own organization, what percentage of energy, focus, and brainpower do you spend in […]
Read MoreDiplomacy with Cuba. More mobile devices than people on the planet. Cyber-attacks, not bombs, are the biggest threat to national security. Retailers such as Amazon delivering merchandise via drones. TV networks advertising when they actually have a scripted show. Who woulda’ thunk it? Back in early January of 1964, legendary songwriter Bob Dylan prophesied, “The […]
Read MoreProminently displayed on the milk in my fridge is an expiration date. Looking around the kitchen, my chicken breasts, Doritos, tomatoes, and eggs also show a date of expiration. Even beer now has as “must be sold by” date of no return. This makes great sense for food and medication — a time whereby their […]
Read MoreAt a recent lunch in downtown Detroit, I received a very thoughtful fortune inside my after-meal cookie. Unlike the platitudes that often fill these crunchy treats, this ‘fortune’ really got me thinking. The crumpled white paper read, “Great things are made of little things.” This simple, yet profound thought stayed with me for days. It […]
Read MoreIn the early days of the Internet, less than 2% of companies had a corporate website. To put your brochure on the web at that time was cutting-edge and bold. Launching a website was a newsworthy event; an opportunity to shine over your competition. I know this intimately, because the company I founded back in […]
Read MoreHuman comfort has become a booming industry and a way of life in modern society. The push of a button or the pop of a pill can pacify nearly any discomfort. Our cars are ergonomically designed, often including a duplicate set of controls on the steering wheel to avoid the agony of leaning over 14 […]
Read MoreHow many times have you complained about your boss? Bemoaned the circumstances that are holding you back? Attributed your setbacks to others or external forces? The problem with finger-pointing is that it’s completely unproductive. We all have a finite amount of time, energy, and resources at our disposal. Every ounce that you deploy blaming others […]
Read MoreI experienced the joy of a doctor’s waiting room this past week. After waiting 29 minutes, I asked the staff behind the glass what was up. With striking disdain and apathy, a grim woman told me, “The doctor is running behind.” No kidding. At 43 minutes into the adventure, I asked again. With ice in […]
Read MoreTo me, it’s not about comparing yourself to other people or being boastful. It’s about comparing “down” to a previous version of you.
Read MoreNow I’m no prude and I’m all for artistic expression. But peddling obnoxious trash to audiences in order to sell more records can’t be making the world a better place. Sure, these “artists” are scoring a bunch of cash. But at what cost?
Read MoreThat’s right… the Nest sells for ten times the price of the find-anywhere industry standard thermostat. And they are sold out everywhere you look.
Read MoreAs the dark side becomes yummier, it’s time for you to strengthen your resolve.
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