Say No (More)
If you want to accelerate your progress toward unprecedented results, start saying no. Say no during the strategy off-site and say no after it’s over. Pet Priorities Every […]
Escalating Annoyance
It starts with a small twinge but becomes a volcanic rage. Whether at work or with family, we must be able to defuse our own rising irritation. The holidays […]
Stuff You (Should) Already Know
Some plain truths about humans that organizations pretend are myths —to the detriment of sales and souls. I recently ran across an article about how little attention we pay […]
Metrics Over Mission
When results are poor, check that everyone's north star is the customer’s experience rather than the scorecard. because focusing on the score takes you away from customers. And of course, that defeats your entire goal.
Past/Present: Push/Pull
In every moment we are being pushed by the past or pulled by a future. But the past is always available and keeps us comfortable. Yet, breakthroughs depend on our […]
In Vino Innovato
Inventing an unprecedented technology or strategy demands fearlessness. But if everyone is afraid to look silly, who creates the breakthroughs? Habit and Mimicry As human beings, we observe and follow […]
Too Close to the Sun
One of the oddest ways that companies fail is by becoming victims of their own strengths. In other words, the very thing that generates competitive advantage morphs into a problem. […]
Strategic Plans Vs. Problems
There are two big classes of strategy activities. One is crafting a strategic plan. But as soon as you do, there will be strategic problems. Solving those is a different […]
Myopia
Most founders have experienced chasing a competitor—usually, feature by feature. When you’re in that kind of horse race, it seems like there is no other choice; as though, if you […]
Religious Fervor
Our methodological tools are merely that–tools. But we become attached to them, and soon we are no longer craftsmen, but disciples. When that happens, we become tunnel-visioned; everything demands the […]