The legendary college basketball coach John Wooden led UCLA to 10 national championships including seven in a row. He was known for his principled leadership, meticulous organization, and unfailing persistence.
Focus
Why Strategy is About More than Just Predicting the Future
Imagine going back in time 5 years and being told these would be the headlines in the not-too-distant future
Why Context Trumps Everything, Even Your Beliefs
One of automobile magnate Henry Ford’s core beliefs was that it is critical to control every aspect of production. He built power plants, owned coal mines and timberlands, ran a steel foundry, had a deep-water port and dozens of miles of railway
Selling Sand in the Arabian Peninsula
The Arabian Peninsula. The name evokes a sense of endless sands and the oven-like heat of the desert. In the vastness of the desert there are quadrillions of grains of sand. And it would be easy to think that sand is sand is sand.
Why Details are Critical
As someone who enjoys outdoor activities I’m always interested in innovations to outdoors gear. I recently came across one that totally impressed me with its attention to detail: the GoBites Uno – a spork.
How to Win in the Shark Tank and Not Get Eaten Alive
If you’re a business person looking to entice investors, there is likely no higher profile venue than the popular TV show, Shark Tank.
Many entrepreneurs get the opportunity to deliver their pitch. So what separates those who get funded
Why You Don’t Want to Think “Out-of-the-Box”
It’s one of the most enduring sayings in business: thinking out-of-the-box. And for almost 20 years I’ve been advising leaders not to say it. Why? Because if you say “thinking out of the box,” you’re not. How could you be?
Why Being “Different” Isn’t Enough
Differentiate yourself from your competition. Don’t be “me-too.” So goes the conventional wisdom. Being different is where to be. But is different enough? This past week marked the end of a long-running battle about being different.
The #2 Reason Why Family Businesses Don’t Endure
Why the number 2 reason? Because number 1 is obvious: businesses get handed down to inept offspring who ascend to the throne based on the merits of their last names. You can take it from there. So let’s get to the more interesting reason
Is Your Work True to YOU?
A friend just introduced me to Crossing the Unknown Sea, by David Whyte. Whyte is a poet and – yes – a corporate consultant who writes lyrically and compellingly about identity, meaning and purpose at work.
Why Acquisitions Fail Before They Even Happen
You’re committed to growing your business. While you see opportunities for organic growth, you realize that organic growth alone requires extensive time and effort. So your mind goes to the other option: acquisitions.
How to Deal With Pressure
This past weekend Max Verstappen became the youngest ever winner of a Formula 1 auto race. Max is 18. The previous “youngest ever” was 21. Wow.
Racing a 900+ horsepower car on a winding circuit at speeds of over 210 mph seems mighty impressive