Manel Baucells was the favourite Professor amongst students when I did my MBA at IESE Business School. He taught Decision Analysis. There are certain types of situation under which humans will take poor (rational) decisions. We study this subject so that we can reduce the likelihood that we will take similar poor decisions under similar … Read more
“I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it.” George Bernard Shaw Beware of Pigs One tool of “pigs” in manipulative persuasion is the rhetorical fallacy. A fallacy is a deliberate mis-use of logical argument. You’ll find them regularly in political, social and family “discussions”. Don’t … Read more
When someone tells me that I am wrong, what do I learn? “You are not doing that right!” “How did you let this happen?” Do I learn what is intended? I don’t think so. I don’t often know what is intended – that I should feel bad or guilty; or that I need to see … Read more
John Whitehead, co-head of Goldman Sachs in the 1970s, wrote the following 10 commandments that guided their business development efforts: Don’t waste your time going after business you don’t really want. The boss usually decides— not the assistant treasurer. Do you know the boss? It is just as easy to get a first-rate piece of … Read more
Michael asks “What should you do when you don’t know what to do?” In the times when he felt lost, out of his depth, uncertain, unsure whether he was the right person in the role… All the great moments of self-doubt that I know I share… His mentor’s answer? “Do the next right thing.” The … Read more
The 3 types of Dangerous People Micheal Maddock writes about 3 types of people to fire immediately. This applies beyond the world of entrepreneurs and work teams. It applies in all of life. Victims – they want the problems. Critics – they won’t and they don’t want you to either. Know-it-Alls – they refuse to … Read more
What is Charisma? In the words of Dr. Nick Morgan “Charisma is focussed emotion.” There are 2 ways to increase your capacity to deliver “Focussed Emotion” when you speak: Remove Distractions: remove all distractions 30 minutes before you speak Care: know how the message of your speech can change people’s quality of life Watch the … Read more
These laws were identified and developed by Carlo M. Cipolla who was Professor of Economics at UC Berkeley up his death in the year 2000. The full description and implication of these 5 basic laws can be read in his article The 5 Basic Laws of Human Stupidity The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity. Law 1: Underestimation Always and … Read more
According to the report “Are They Really Ready to Work? Employers’ Perspectives on the Basic Knowledge and Applied Skills of New Entrants to the 21st Century U.S. Workforce“, the top 6 competencies for success in the labor market today are: Networking – connecting to people and sharing your and their goals (Networking in 7 simple … Read more
Here’s a new rule for people who wish to create a meeting: Al Pittampalli asks “What difference could you make that requires no one’s permission other than your own?” Do that first. Don’t call the meeting until you have done that. What do you think? Feasible? A Vaccination for The Meeting Virus? “Lets meet to … Read more