This Sam Zell quote really has wormed its way into my head, I often say I’m chairman of everything and the CEO of nothing. I stick to what I’m good at - vision, direction, strategy. That’s where I add the most value. I spend almost my entire day listening to other people. I ask questions, … Continue reading Sam Zell: Chairman Of Everything, CEO Of Nothing
Tag: business strategy
Sam Zell’s Playboy Business
Sam Zell was known for his investment acumen. But Patrick O’Shaugnessy shared this quote on where one of his first business ideas came from: On one of my walks I discovered a newsstand underneath the “L” tracks. It was 1953, and a provocative new magazine called Playboy had just made its debut featuring Marilyn Monroe … Continue reading Sam Zell’s Playboy Business
The Only Truth Is Narrative Truth
Oliver Sacks spent a lifetime studying the brain and the weird stuff it could do (like why a guy would mistake his wife for a hat). But perhaps his greatest and simplest observation, The only truth is narrative truth. Whatever we are telling ourselves, that’s what’s real. Worth keeping in mind, don’t you think?
The Answer To MORE Uncertainty
The answer to the perception of more uncertainty isn’t to just hide under the bed. I tried. It’s not actually useful so come on out. The answer to more uncertainty, real or perceived, is to have more plans. Not for sake of paralysis, but for sake of confidently stepping in new directions. COVID was changing … Continue reading The Answer To MORE Uncertainty
How Mic Jagger Answered, “Who’s Better, You Or The Beatles”
Irish TV, 1965, the reporter asks Mic Jagger, “How do you compare your group with the Beatles?” Watch the video and hear Mic’s “diplomatic” take, It’s a massive lesson in why “different” beats “better” (that’s for you marketing/brand people). h/t Cole Shafer for sharing, who summarized it well in an older blog post with: “you … Continue reading How Mic Jagger Answered, “Who’s Better, You Or The Beatles”
Podcast Of The Week: Ice Cube On WTF
I’ve already pumped it quite a bit, but please, go check out Ice Cube on WTF with Marc Maron. This is one of my favorite podcasts in recent memory for the stories. Insane stories. Beautiful stories. It really was a good day after all stories. Like how he started rapping, how he got into movies, … Continue reading Podcast Of The Week: Ice Cube On WTF
Start With Who, Start With Why
Simon Sinek’s “Start With Why” is a great reminder to start with purpose. Jim Collins has a different approach, he puts “Who First.” Brian Portnoy has me thinking we need both first. That we can’t order who and why so much as needing to combine them. Your purpose for you. Our purpose for us. There’s … Continue reading Start With Who, Start With Why
How To Write A Book From Blog Posts
Paul Millerd is incepting danger into my already busy schedule. I’ve thought of this but hadn’t seen anyone break it down quite this way before. This applies to blog posts or your notes or your Facebook posts or whatever you regularly do, just FYI. Will I do it? Maybe someday. Will you? Short version: Paul … Continue reading How To Write A Book From Blog Posts
Podcast Of The Week: Kweli And Murs On El-P (And A Personal Story)
Ok YouTube algorithm. I really - and I mean REALLY - didn’t want to watch a video with “white rappers in hip-hop” in the title. But then I noticed it was Talib Kweli and Murs talking, and that said “white rapper” in question was El-P. Murs calls El, “My Chuck D.” Kweli says El laid … Continue reading Podcast Of The Week: Kweli And Murs On El-P (And A Personal Story)
Bruce Springsteen On Turning Points And Making Nebraska
If Bruce had to pick one album to represent him 50 years from now, he’d pick Nebraska. It’s a vibe. And it’s really cool how CBS took him back to the bedroom he wrote much of the album in all those years ago. Nebraska came when he hit a personal “wall” of depression. Springsteen says … Continue reading Bruce Springsteen On Turning Points And Making Nebraska