I spent the last 3 days with Prof Geert Hofstede in Finland. He is 82 years old and still passionate and excited about his work. He is the 4th most cited Social Scientist of all time (and the only one of the top 5 that is still alive). His major contribution has been in the … Read more
Last week, I listened to Jim Collins at the Growth Summit in Barcelona. He shared 4 hours with us via video. There were three concepts that he shared with us that really struck a chord with me. Today I wanted to put down my thoughts about the final concept that Jim shared: Return on Luck. … Read more
You only need to choose 2 out of 3 for success: Be like-able Do great work Deliver on time If you are like-able and deliver on time, people will come back to you. If you do great work, and deliver on time you will make it. If you do great work, and are like-able, people … Read more
Have you read Jim Collins’ latest book “Great by Choice”? It’s a must read. Jim is beaming into Barcelona LIVE 15th May from 14:30 – 18:00 – think of it as a private movie premiere – he’s one of the best presenters I’ve ever seen. 100 execs of companies gathering in Barcelona hosted by me … Read more
Emotional Manipulators: Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing Beware of Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing The Psychological literature identifies Personalities that are Manipulative, the “Wolves in Sheeps Clothing”. These are people that use deceit in their dealings with those around them. The Manipulator may be conscious of their manipulation, or unconscious and blind to their willful use of … Read more
Early in my seminars I tell participants that Persuasion is not Manipulation. Manipulation is getting others to do something that is of benefit to me. Persuasion is getting others to do something that is of benefit to them and of benefit to me. Where is the line between Manipulation and Persuasion? Beware of Wolves … Read more
On September 7th, 1982, Ogilvy sent the following internal memo to all agency employees, titled “How to Write”: The better you write, the higher you go in Ogilvy & Mather. People who think well, write well. Woolly minded people write woolly memos, woolly letters and woolly speeches. Good writing is not a natural gift. You … Read more
I am sitting in an audience at a conference. This third speaker today started well. He seems interesting and speaks with passion. He is now on his seventh powerpoint slide. Each slide is interesting and well designed. He has worked hard to find good images and pithy quotes. My neighbour leans in towards me. I lean towards him. … Read more
When I was 13 years old, American Football became the passion of my group of friends at school in Dublin. We would play our version of touch American Football up on a tarmac area behind school. I remember catching the football and running for the end zone. A member of the other team caught my … Read more
“Cheaper” is never a deep human life goal. I don’t often hear people say “I wish my life was cheaper”. We never buy because something is cheaper. We buy because of the story we can tell ourself and others when we buy cheaper… I am a smart person because I get good deals. But, Apple … Read more