Yesterday morning, I had the pleasure of a conversation with Lorri and Larry, hosts of “Mornings” on FamilyNet tv, simulcast on Sirius 161, an inspirational broadcast program. Though I have many times reiterated the purpose of my book — lighting people up to become extraordinary leaders in their own lives — the questions from callers [...]
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Thought it might be helpful to list, with a one-line descriptor, each of the free tools which are now in the archives. Here goes: - Liberating Yourself From Repeated Emotional Grabs (tool for recording your upsets as first step to more effective behavior under duress) - Breakdowns in Communication (tool for fewer breakdowns in communications and tasking [...]
Thursday, July 17, 2008
We have previously written about moments when something someone says or does “grabs” us — provokes an emotional response and behavior that is not really in our own interest or helpful toward our agenda. We are in a fight or flight mode instead of staying centered and responding with a more “blending (collaborative)” or detached [...]
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Dr. Val Curtis, an anthropologist living in Burkina Faso decided that extreme measures are necessary to save millions of children in Africa from death and disease. What is unique is where she found a solution: consumer marketing. What is powerful, is how this applies to restoring integrity and transparency to American business landscape. As Charles Duhigg [...]
Countless more ordinary people of equal talent never developed the leadership core required to run the show. Why not?
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?
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
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