If you pay attention to what business leaders say when they speak to the media you will notice that bad things are always the result of external factors like recessions, weaker demand, or just plain bad luck. When good things happen they are always the result of good leadership and wise decisions by leaders of...Read More
Of all the possible outcomes in any situation only a few are probable and only one will actually happen. Sometimes the outcome cannot be controlled like when a meteor falls on your head. Sometimes the outcome can only be partially controlled like when two great teams meet in a championship. Sometimes the outcome can be...Read More
I can also suggest “Smile or Die: How Positive Thinking Fooled America and the World” by Barbara Ehrenreich. This book takes a scientific look at “positive thinking” showing what is true and what is total nonsense. This book is a must for anyone who ever suspected that just maybe everything isn’t possible.Read More
If you haven’t read ”The Happiness Hypothesis” by Jonathan Haidt then do it! It is one of the most profound and interesting books I have read in years. Haidt gives real insight into the psychology of happiness and the ancient wisdom of the world’s great religions and philosophies.Read More
Recognize this? I found this quote by Charlton Ogburn in his book ”Merril’s Marauders”, Harpers Magazine, January 1957. ”Merril’s Marauders” is a first hand account of the Burma Campaign during WWII. In fact I have found similar quotations going back to acient Greece and I wouldn’t be suprised to find even older references. ”We trained...Read More
Years ago I was applying for a job I really wanted. I had gone through all the tests and interviews with consultants, had several different interviews with HR people and various line managers and had at last been informed that I was ”the” candidate they would recommend to the VP who would be my boss....Read More
Ultimately we are all responsible for our own destiny. That doesn’t mean that we aren’t allowed to give or accept help. We are allowed to cooperate and try to make things easier for each other. I can take complete responsibility for my life and still accept a helping hand from time to time. Life isn’t...Read More
My seven year old daughter asked me at the dinner table tonight, ”Is the United States a rich country?” I said ”yes it is”. She said ”aren’t there lots of people the the USA who are poor?” I said ”yes there are”. She said ”Why are there many poor people in the USA if it...Read More
SAS has taken giant steps in cutting costs. They have replaced real people with ”do-it-yourself” machines. You would think that they could at least have engough machines. Everytime I have flown with SAS the last year I have had to stand in long lines at the automatic machines. Then I have to stand in a...Read More
