Day 97 – The Role of Role-Playing
I recently participated in a seminar where the culmination was a role-play exercise. In my experience, especially when training salespeople, suggesting role-playing often meets with resistance, bordering on mutiny. People generally seem to dread it. However, the success and impact of the role-play at this seminar were strikingly different, leading me to a moment of […]
Day 96 – Redefining ‘Salesy’: The Power of Genuine Intent in Sales
This week, I had the enriching experience of participating in a well-organized training course. During one of these sessions, where we were encouraged to practice and showcase new skills, I encountered a moment of introspection. After presenting, I received feedback suggesting that my approach might have been too ‘salesy.’ This comment lingered in my mind, […]
Day 95 – Slicing the Market: Lessons from the Value Propositions of Pizza Giants
This week, I had the unique opportunity to participate in a week-long training program alongside a diverse group of executives, founders, and successful business figures. Among them was a remarkable individual – the founder of a well-known restaurant chain celebrated for its delicious pizzas. This encounter sparked a curiosity in me: what exactly was the […]
Day 94 – The ‘Mutual Conspiracy’ of Problem-Solving: A Reflection
In the book, Let’s Get Real or Let’s Not Play, Mahan Khalsa and Randy Illig introduce the concept of the ‘mutual conspiracy.’ The interesting connection they make is that both a consultant and a client often prioritize discussing solutions before and instead of addressing the more challenging task, which involves clearly defining the problem for […]
Day 93 – “Burn the Boats” – A Misunderstood Maxim in Business Leadership
In the realm of business leadership, the phrase “burn the boats” is often employed to convey edginess and to inspire total commitment to new initiatives. However, many leaders misunderstand the essence of this powerful metaphor. The original concept, as articulated by Sun Tzu, states: “At the critical moment, the leader of an army acts like […]
Day 92 – The Same Sheet of Music
Have you ever heard business leaders tossing around the phrase, “We need to get on the same sheet of music”? It’s a quirky bit of jargon that might evoke images of a disjointed orchestra trying to harmonize. But really, it’s about alignment and shared understanding – crucial elements not just in music but also in […]
Day 91 – Embrace Vulnerability
Yesterday, I took part in a training seminar that began with an exercise I didn’t expect but ended up valuing immensely: writing a vulnerability statement. As someone who tends to approach such activities with a hint of cynicism, I was initially reluctant. The task was simple yet profound: write a promise to myself to be […]
Day 90 – Three is the Magic Number
In my journey with OKRs (Objectives and Key Results), I’ve wrestled with a familiar dilemma: the desire to do everything. Like many, I’ve been caught in the whirlwind of ambition, wanting to chase a million goals at once. But this scattergun approach often led to mediocrity in all areas. The game-changer? Learning the art of […]
Day 89 – The Inner Game
This weekend, while coaching my nephew to ski, I stumbled upon a profound realization. Initially, I bombarded him with instructions and what to focus on. Sure, there was some improvement, but it was short-lived. Soon, he began overthinking, leading to frequent falls and mounting frustration. In a moment of insight, I stepped back, letting him […]
Day 88 – Simplicity is Earned
In our quest for progress and efficiency, we often hear the well-intentioned advice: “keep it simple.” This phrase, while catchy, oversimplifies the journey to achieving true simplicity. It’s a misconception to believe that we can start out with simplicity. We, humans, are organically inclined towards complexity, much like any other living entity. Consider a tree: […]