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FLAT ON MY BACK ON THE FLOOR

Thu, Feb 7, 2008

Just For Fun

 

From December 18 through January 18, I spent most of the days and nights on the floor, flat on my back. I have been playing catch up and am now only two weeks behind. It was a case of classic over-reaching: trying in a physical training session to do things I was not yet ready for. Result: disk popped. But the time on the floor forced many hours of reflection that will be woven into this year’s focus. Yes, a taste of my own medicine (see What Matters Most to Me, one of the free tools in the archives).

Suffice it to say for now that you will see at least one blog (perhaps two) on this site each week,  an overhaul that gets rid of one site and puts the blog at the center of the remaining site, a continued focus on leadership — especially character, confidence, critical thinking and engagement/inspiration of others. 

You will also see the launch of a library of CEO videos (“shorts” of less than 4 minutes) on the same topics. Finally, you will see opportunities to interact with the community of people aspiring to be or interested in extraordinary leadership.

So, stay tuned.

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Latest Videos

What Made jack welch JACK WELCH

How Ordinary People Become
Extraordinary Leaders
by Stephen H. Baum (Random House)

Most leaders of American companies started out as ordinary people. What prepared them for the top job?

Countless more ordinary people of equal talent never developed the leadership core required to run the show. Why not?

"Lessons for life about the core leadership traits of character, risk taking decisiveness and the ability to engage and inspire followers."
--Jim Clifton, CEO, The Gallup Organization

Read More >>

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Asides

  • Is our behavior in the face of challenge determined at birth or by our environment? Are leaders born rather than made?

    My obsession with what makes some ordinary people become extraordinary leaders led to my interviews with dozens of CEOs which Random House published in 2007 and to the Master Class series at Pace. The thesis is that there are particular “shaping experiences” which develop leadership traits and capabilities.

    Epi-genetics is the new field of study that is beginning to confirm that nurture determines a lot about us: our behavior, our illnesses and more. Work on animals and on human twins shows that no matter your genome, there is a system of markers that switch genes on and off in a way that controls your reaction to stimuli. These markers are largely from environmental factors from what happened while you were in the womb, to how you were treated in your childhood, to stressful situations to pollution. And the markers you have accumulated can go-awry as you age.

    The good news is that by treatment, including drugs, these markers can be added or removed.

    Together with breakthroughs in neuroscience (how our brain works during different mental and emotional conditions), we are about to glean powerful new understandings relevant to our lives as well as careers.

    For an intro to the field, view the PBS Nova Science Now program on the subject:

    http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/3411/02.html

    That’s my view. What’s yours?

  • For a few years now, Jim Blasingame and I have shared stories, insights and practical suggestions for survival of small business in tough times. He should be your fave for an unlimited supply of helpful ideas for your business. Go to:

    http://blog.smallbusinessadvocate.com/management-fundamentals/small-business-economic-challenges
    and also to the home page of smallbusinessadvocate.com

    Please let me know how helpful you find this great resource. Jim is, himself, a very successful small business owner who knows whereof he speaks.

  • As I said in a prior post, the fruit vendor on a nearby street corner in New York City told me he is working on becoming a bank holding company so he can get in line for a bailout. Is there no end?

    Today’s announcement it was announced that insurance companies will be allowed to reduce the reserve capital they have to make sure they can pay benefits to customers when the time comes. Isn’t this converting insurers to be like AIG? Isn’t insurance with low reserves the same as gambling?

    There was no accompanying clear and detailed plan for oversight. Just like the billions of dollars that have flowed into the investment bank.

    That’s my view. What’s yours?