It’s easy to see fame as something all want. Reality differs. We can see this when looking at the differences when extroverts and introverts are dealing with fame. They’re similar to those we see in both as speakers. Extroverted And Introverted Differences First of all, we’re dealing with good fame. That’s recognition for something positive. Second, remember that the difference between extroverts and introverts isn’t so much a social one as it is the source of each’s energy. Fame is about people knowing you, but it’s more than a social thing when it comes to extroverts and introverts. That’s ..read more

Regardless of what one thinks of Donald Trump, he knows how to grab an audience. Even many who can’t stand him tune in. For them, he has an “accident waiting to happen” appeal. The press can’t even help themselves. Yet, his performances hold key public speaking tips. Seven Public Speaking Tips Here are seven public speaking tips from Trump’s talks: Keep it simple. Give the big picture story. Repeat and repeat. Talk don’t speak. Go off script, milk the moment. Ignore blunders. Convey confidence. Now, let’s admit these tips aren’t new. We can find them anywhere. So, I won’t detail them. Rather ..read more

When Steve Jobs died, markets worried that Apple’s best days were behind it. Yet, the transition to Tim Cook proved this wrong. In fact, it’s declared as “one of the most lucrative business successions in history.” Now, contrast this to the demise of GE after Jack Welch. What leadership insights exist? Moving From Jobs To Cook Contrast the succession transition at Apple to the one at GE from Jack Welch to Jeff Immelt. Why did one excel and the other crashed? For simple detail on the difference between Jobs’ leadership and Cook’s, a Wall Street Journal article from August 7, 2020 does a great ..read more

The rise of the digital age brought with it the rise of data. Looking at the difference between older and younger workers working with data allows us to see the opportunities and challenges before all of us. The Experiential Difference Between Older And Younger Workers The primary difference between older and younger workers is one of experience. This plays out in two ways. The first seems obvious. Older workers have more experience. Younger ones have novel experience. The second way is the degree to which they’ve experienced reality differing from what they’ve learned. Time teaches older work ..read more

Funny and fun ways exist to undermine truth. While speaking, three common ones are rhymes, humor and exaggerations. Fun relaxes people. It makes them more receptive to the message replacing truth. Three Funny And Fun Ways Rhymes “You snooze, you lose.” “See you later alligator.” “April showers bring May flowers.” “Good night, sleep tight.” All are examples of rhymes. Yet, this one from the O.J. Simpson trial made legal history: “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit.” Now, the link to this quote is an interview with one of O.J. Simpson’s defense attorneys, Carl Douglas. He tells of the conscious ..read more

History changes how we see things. No, this is not about the stuff in history books. This is about the history born and raised from our lives, not of those long dead. As more of this history grows, the Jack Welch legacy does not age well. What was good wine, time is turning to vinegar. Legacy, It’s About History Not The Past A farmer harvests more from a farm than any previous farmer. He does it by burning out the crops. He didn’t rotate them. Someone buys the farm but doesn’t do as well. Legacies are not about what we did in the past. They’re about the shape history takes after we’re gone. Wh ..read more

People don’t like very new ideas. Experts are even worse. Thus, they often are the biggest obstacle to innovation and new ways of thinking. Experts And New Ideas Experts scrutinize new ideas especially if they exist in their fields. First, they ask, “Is this idea really new?” Then they ask, “Is it too new?” They don’t like ideas that fall at these ends. They like ideas that are “new but not too new.” People have natural biases against new ideas, and thus, the biggest obstacle to innovation. Of all people, experts are the worse. Now, again, most people are like this. Experts are just more ext ..read more

Business leadership in a time of crisis differs from everyday leadership. That’s well known. “How?” is not though. The biggest “how” exists in the employee’s mind and heart. The Mind And Heart In A Crisis Severe, unexpected, unplanned change makes up a crisis. Most times urgency does too. That means intense uncertainty strikes. People fear that. It paralyzes them. Fear makes thinking harder. It stifles creativity. It raises the stakes. As a result, making decisions becomes tough. Too much risk exists. Thus, employees will act more cautiously. They won’t speak up or act on their own as much. Th ..read more

Many management books exist. They come and go like fashion. Things change. Then, they return. Some managers cite the latest and greatest. Others cite the old standbys. All search for the best management style. It’s the quest for the Holy Grail. Here’s the secret to the best management style though: it’s all of them and none of them. Times change. Employees change. Situations change. Cultures change. Markets change. Customers change. It’s easy. One size does not fit all. Yet, all have a place when the planets align in a special way for each one. Hey Management Gurus, People Are Different! A com ..read more

Few issues carry more charge than race. Often the issue is a minefield, just waiting to tag someone a racist. That makes the issue a black and white one. One is a racist or one is not. The hidden language of race though does not make this so cut and dry. Failing to see this only adds more mines, making race a tougher race for all to win. Hidden Language Of Race The hidden language of race colors how we see race. People don’t see it though. It works without them knowing it. For instance, I’m a fan of old science fiction movies. Take When Worlds Collide from 1951. It’s a sci-fi Noah’s Ark. A pai ..read more