As Rory Sutherland would say, it doesn't have to make logical sense, it just has to be psychologically effective. I use this expression all of the time and it's come to my attention that not everyone knows what I'm talking about. So, if I'm sending you this, it's because I created this note for future … Continue reading Turn It Up To ELEVEN
Tag: business strategy
Professionals Don’t Change Hats, They Change Positions
When you work with people, especially if you’re leading them, situations change and you have to adapt. The most useful thing to know is where we stand in relation to those we're working with. This is positioning. Instead of putting on different hats to represent different roles and responsibilities, thinking in terms of positioning allows … Continue reading Professionals Don’t Change Hats, They Change Positions
When Self-Awareness Is Just Selfish-Talk
Yeah, I've noticed things are broken and passively ignored them before. Let he who hasn't cast the next stone through the already broken abandoned factory windows. Tasha Eurich is the kingpin of self-awareness research. She recently tweeted this Alan Mulally quote, If you don’t have a vision, a smart strategy, and a detailed plan to … Continue reading When Self-Awareness Is Just Selfish-Talk
I Did It Hemingway
Sometimes you do the work and the work kicks your teeth in. Then, on the good days, you smile a bloodied and toothless smile, lay your head down, and go to sleep so you can do it again tomorrow. The Old Man And The Sea has long been one of my favorite books. When I … Continue reading I Did It Hemingway
Podcast Of The Week: Strategic Stratechery
Every now and then Ben Thompson lets an article/podcast out from behind his paywall, and if you’re interested in strategy, you’ll want to take note.* There’s a lot of technical and jargony stuff going on here, but listen (or read) "Cloudflare's Disruption" and focus on this core concept: A small company (Cloudflare) is figuring out … Continue reading Podcast Of The Week: Strategic Stratechery
Practice Then Perform
“Should I try this?” “Wait, who is going to cover that point?” “Am I closing? You? Does that make sense with our opening?” These are the types of conversations I have with my team all of the time. They’re essential. But… We’re talking about practice man. Do all that stuff, but then, you’ve still got … Continue reading Practice Then Perform
The Power Of “I Don’t Get It”
I did all the work, ran all the numbers, made the presentation look pretty, got dressed up, and… they didn’t even want to look at it. The whole conversation went somewhere else. I called the audible, focused in on what I should have been focused on in the first place, and got it done. Been … Continue reading The Power Of “I Don’t Get It”
The Future Is Like The Present, Only Longer
Sometimes we get so scared of the future we make our present utterly miserable. Baseball player Dan Quisenberry went full Yogi Berra when he said, “The future is much like the present, only longer.” What we want to accomplish tomorrow needs to start today. Whatever tomorrow brings turns into our next today. Most of (basic) … Continue reading The Future Is Like The Present, Only Longer
When It Rains, Get Wet
RZA said one of the best pieces of advice he ever heard came from Quincy Jones: “When it rains, get wet.” If something good is happening, partake. And not “good” meaning perfect, or positive, or not confusing, but… natural. Don’t grab an umbrella, don’t run inside, don’t hide from the tide - if it starts … Continue reading When It Rains, Get Wet
Everything Sucks
There is nothing in the world like the teenage-zen aphorism, “everything sucks.” This isn’t innocent until proven guilty, this is guilty until you fail to prove innocence and shamefully admit it’s still guilty. And it’s not just teenagers who do it. I used to think I didn’t like to cook. I never hated it, but … Continue reading Everything Sucks