The Power of Habit
Charles Duhigg has written a powerful book that is a must read for anyone serious about leadership and success.
In The Power of Habit, he documents how our everyday actions are governed by habits and how changing even one habit can have a massive domino effect. One case study worth mentioning concerns how Alcoa, a US Aluminum manufacturing company turned around the company culture with just one small change.
In 1987, at a time when people were more focused on maximising profits than ...
6 Lessons in Influence from a Karate Master
My karate teacher (sensei), Masataka Mori is a 9th Dan and the chief instructor of the International Japanese Karate Association. Even though I haven’t trained with him in years, he will always be my sensei. If he walked into a conference full of hundreds, or even thousands of people, you would instantly know who trained with him. They would be the ones standing and bowing towards this one man. This would include anyone on stage. Such is the respect he commands.
Here are six ways ...
6 Lessons in Influence from a Karate Master
My karate teacher (sensei), Masataka Mori is a 9th Dan and the chief instructor of the International Japanese Karate Association. Even though I haven’t trained with him in years, he will always be my sensei. If he walked into a conference full of hundreds, or even thousands of people, you would instantly know who trained with him. They would be the ones standing and bowing towards this one man. This would include anyone on stage. Such is the respect he commands.
Here are six ways ...
Google and Goldman—Think Fast!
Companies take note: in the social media age, your dirty laundry is fast becoming everyone’s business.
First Greg Smith of Goldman Sachs, now ex-Google’s James Whittaker is sharing his reasons for leaving, reaching a global audience fast. In each case they are offering us a window into cultural issues and actions taken from false logic that should serve as a warning to the companies.
Unfortunately, it is too late for Goldman to avoid the current meltdown. Clients have voted with ...
Brain Brushing
This was one of the most viewed blogs I’ve ever written so I thought it deserved a second run.
Daniel Siegel makes an excellent case for the benefits of mindfulness and integration.
For an organisational system to work at its best, there needs to be an open flow of energy and information promoting engagement, creativity and receptiveness. When there is this flow of energy and information between independent and integrated parts of the system, you have harmonic balance.
This is ...
Try The Mambo Instead
Ever have a seemingly intractable relationship issue? Maybe one you’ve given up on?
You’ve tried everything you know and still can’t resolve it. The other person is unwilling to meet you half way, is too stubborn or difficult to deal with. I may even be a little too generous here in describing them.
Try the view from their side.
That shift in your perspective allows you to notice critical details that previously were hidden from your view. Those details often hold the key ...
Try The Mambo Instead
Ever have a seemingly intractable relationship issue? Maybe one you’ve given up on?
You’ve tried everything you know and still can’t resolve it. The other person is unwilling to meet you half way, is too stubborn or difficult to deal with. I may even be a little too generous here in describing them.
Try the view from their side.
That shift in your perspective allows you to notice critical details that previously were hidden from your view. Those details often hold the key ...
Five Important Lessons from Mickey
We can learn a lot about how to run a company from Disney. They really know how to look after their people and customers.
After a day in one of their theme parks, followed by five on their newest cruise ship, I learned a lot about excellence and enduring success. Crew members provided me with the source of that excellence which I think it is well worth sharing. And yes, I also had a really great time!
1. Be congruent. Disney is masterful at customer service. The company and people are ...
Five Important Lessons from Mickey
We can learn a lot about how to run a company from Disney. They really know how to look after their people and customers.
After a day in one of their theme parks, followed by five on their newest cruise ship, I learned a lot about excellence and enduring success. Crew members provided me with the source of that excellence which I think it is well worth sharing. And yes, I also had a really great time!
1. Be congruent. Disney is masterful at customer service. The company and people are ...
Free to move forward
We’re in Jerusalem right now amidst incredbile history at the epicentre of the three major religions of the world.
Besides the historical significance and beauty of the city, we have experienced many perspectives on everything from the current conflict, to religion and life in general.
The other evening, we had dinner at the home of friends who are very religious orthodox Jews and I learned something quite interesting and important that can be applied to leadership, ...
