Category Archive: Book Notes

Wasting Time on Mission and Vision

“I think there’s so much time and effort wasted on setting forth mission statements and vision statements…” Karen Martin, author of, The Outstanding Organization.” Pointless vision: Compelling vision doesn’t cure sick organizations. Martin said,… Continue reading

How to Motivate the Unmotivated

Pressure and coercion don’t work for long. Successful leaders ignite and inspire, they don’t pressure. They were motivated. Now, they work when you’re around and doze when you’re not. What a difference three… Continue reading

Something Better than “I think I Can”

  Traditional wisdom says self-affirmation builds optimism and confidence. Dispel doubt, discouragement, and fear by repeating things like: “I’m awesome.” “I can do this.” What if the Little Engine that Could – “I… Continue reading

Three Surprising Secrets to Moving People

All leaders move people. Moving people begins when you understand them, not when they understand you. Daniel Pink believes the ability to move people begins with attunement. “Attunement is the ability to bring… Continue reading

Assumptions – Asking the Obvious

Testing assumptions makes you look stupid or misinformed. “You can be perfectly clear and perfectly wrong.” Karen Martin, “The Outstanding Organization.” Assumptions are unquestioned “truths.” Everyone knows the answer to the obvious. Why… Continue reading

One Thing All Outstanding Organizations Do

Aspiration is useless, on its own. You aspire to excellence, success, and fulfillment. Big deal. Who doesn’t? Aspiration apart from definition, method, and means is life lived by blind hope and dumb luck. Furthermore,… Continue reading