SciFi: I finally succumbed to the need for diversion. Generally, once or twice each year, I will indulge in a science-fiction book. The challenge for me is I get so involved in the book once I pick it up that many other things come to a halt.
What’s Going On Upstream?
Babies in the River: I was chatting with a good friend and colleague this past week. We touched on several personal subjects and then gravitated to business topics. At one point, I was remarking about how some leaders find systems thinking to be so difficult. That triggered an oft-told story in his mind about the “River Babies.”
It’s As Easy As A-N-C
First Things First: I have not taken any pilot training. However, I love the rule of thumb taught to each new pilot as they train. They carry this teaching throughout their time as pilots: Aviate, Navigate, Communicate (A-N-C). It’s the priority for their attention; in other words, first things first and stay focused.
The Bright Side
Customer Service Excellence: Last week I posted a little rant about how MS annoys me with a poorly designed news feed customization interface (from a customer point of view). However, all experiences aren’t so frustrating as that one…
Self-Serving
Annoying the Customer: Well, okay, at least annoying THIS customer. One of my favorite vendors (there are precious few) has upgraded their browser software. The vendor shall remain nameless but frequently goes by the initials of MS. I use their operating system on my computers, and I use their office suite extensively. I avoid their cloud storage because I see it as intrusive and has been undependable…
Common Sense is Nonsense?
Definition: According to Aubrey Daniels, common sense is “the unreflective opinions of ordinary people. Unreflective opinions are based on unanalyzed experience.” He goes on to opine that “contrary to popular belief there isn’t too little common sense in business, there’s too much.” I believe that the meaning of common sense has changed from the original dictionary definition. Now common sense …
Of Raindrops and Mirrors
Bad Decision: I have made plenty of bad decisions in my life. The worst ones are the ones where I know what I’m doing or about to do is foolish, but I do it anyway. It almost always turns out bad. The most recent one involves raindrops, an obscured mirror, my car’s rear bumper, and outside stairs. I’m over it …
In Three Words
Robert Frost: In 1954, Robert Frost told a reporter, “In three words, I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life. It goes on.” That statement seems especially poignant right now. Many folks I speak with are struggling to understand how “life goes on” after this pandemic. First, many people are dealing with the death of loved ones, and indeed, …
Power vs Empathy
Empathy Loses: Studies have shown that participants raised in wealth or positions of power showed fewer neurological markers for compassion. The studies demonstrated that a person arbitrarily appointed as the “boss” started taking advantage of his new role within 30-minutes. In his book, The Power Paradox, Dacher Keltner likened these effects of power to “a form of brain damage, leading …
Ubuntu
The Power of Connection: The Nguni Bantu term “ubuntu” is often translated as “I am because we are.” Ubuntu is a philosophy that includes the essential human virtues; compassion and humanity. Recently, the Business Roundtable declared that they are changing their businesses’ focus from the old Milton Friedman view to one that states all stakeholders are essential, not just profits …