“In five years, you’ll be the same person—except for what you learn and the relationships you build”. This quote, often attributed to Charlie Jones, is a truth about life. Jones does not mean “passive” learning or “passive” networking… he emphasizes the need to be active in pursuit of ideas and active in engaging with inspiring … Read more
What makes a person into a leader? Charisma? No. Communication? No. Experience? No. They deserve a promotion because of past efforts? No. What ideas do you have? There is one characteristic without which you cannot be called a leader. Followers? Yes… but what do you need to have as a leader so that others actually … Read more
Life is too short to figure everything out on your own. Humans spend the years from birth to 12 learning how to survive. Our parents have a vested interest in helping us develop the Stop there: we merely survive. We live in a highly complex society. There is intense competition for status in whatever hierarchy … Read more
I was in Boston to teach on the Entrepreneurs’ Organisation EMP (Entrepreneurial Masters Program) this week. MIT Endicott House is one of the most beautiful locations for leadership retreats and programs. I brought my drone to capture the scenery around the main buildings. You’ll see the drone shots right at the beginning of the video … Read more
Did Netflix kill Blockbuster? or did Blockbuster forget about customers? Did Amazon kill Sears? or did Sears forget about customers? One of my early business mentors told me “you have to be half the price or triple the value for someone to switch from their current provider”. People don’t switch from Sears to Amazon for … Read more
You are at one of these 5 places in your life… If you are reading this post via email, you can watch the video here: The 5 States of Human Performance (From the Coaches Perspective) The 5 States of Human Performance The 9 minute video shares a tip for how to move forward from each … Read more
Genetically we differ 2% from chimpanzees and 3% from worms. Our big difference is the cortex, the upper layer of the brain. The cortex is the home of imagination. Imagination gives us the choice to live intentionally. We can make a choice: lead a life that is not just response to stimuli, but building towards … Read more
Two Approaches to Life My friends live their lives in one of two contrasting ways: Guided by a Long term Vision for their Lives Take Opportunities as they come In the short term, the opportunists made great early progress. I have one friend who changed job every 1-2 years in the investment banking industry. Each … Read more
Most people do not have a compelling vision. A boring vision attracts mediocre people and mediocre performance. “I want to make €1 million” is not a compelling vision. It is about you, and you alone. Why would anyone else give their best effort so that you can have €1 million in your bank account? Guy … Read more
What do you really want? Michael Gerber, in his book The E-Myth asks this question: What are your primary aims? Imagine walking into a room. You pause at the entrance. In the room, seated, are all your friends and family. You enter the room. You walk up the middle of the room. At the front … Read more