I cant resist. On election day, when my wife heard a tv commentator say that McCain traditionally went to the movies the day of an election, she said: “He must have gone to see “W”!” BTW: she is a Republican who voted for Obama along with all 16 other members of our family (Republicans, Independents and [...]
Thursday, November 6, 2008
John McCain’s otherwise gracious concession speech included a line to the effect of “I don’t know what more we could have done to have a winning campaign.” Here is food for thought for Senator McCain and the Republicans who must now make a choice between collaborating to make democracy work vs. actions less constructive: - Place [...]
Thursday, November 6, 2008
When leadership fails, the fail-point is somewhere down this chain: Ignorance – I didn’t know Incompetence – I knew, but didn’t understand the implications Insouciance – I knew, I understood, but did not care Cowardice – I knew, I understood, I cared, but I was afraid Malice – I knew, understood, cared, had the courage but kept to my own [...]
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Party of the First Part —Not Mine I was a Rockefeller Republican At least that’s what I thought: socially liberal and fiscally conservative. Encourage entrepreneurs and free markets to do their best. Keep sensible oversight to curb abuses. Help fund the most important projects that make education affordable, geographies livable and the environment healthy. Maintain a [...]
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?
Sunday, November 9, 2008
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