All in Life
In today's episode, I recount a Facebook post from the actor Kevin Smith, and something he was told (handed, actually) when he was 19 years old.
It's a lesson that not everyone is always looking out for us, and ultimately, our path forward - our story - is down to us.
From a young age, we're programmed with the idea that we'll grow up to get a job and do our work. But we don't often consider what that means.
Why are we doing what we're doing? What are we trying to achieve? As I discuss in this episode, it has to be about more than the money - whose mission are we serving?
When we're communicating an idea or selling a product, we often think that if we just explain the benefits, people will buy.
When they don't, we lament that they just didn't get it. But maybe we're the ones who didn't get it - because it's not anyone's job to listen, it's our job to make them want to hear us, as I discuss in today's podcast.
Today's podcast focuses on the idea of owning our messages.
In any work we do, we're called upon to present our ideas and findings in front of an audience. Often, we feel compelled to "do what we're told" or to "follow a script". The reality is that we need to own what we present, no matter our level. In this podcast, I discuss how.
Today's episode focuses on doing the things we want to do, but don't - either because we're concerned what others will say, or we overthink our own ability to be successful at it.
Sometimes, this thought process is helpful, but more often than not, it gets in our way. Better to focus on what we want and just do.
Today's episode recounts a decision I made many years ago that, in the grand scheme of things, was relatively minor. It was my decision to get - and then remove - my earring before I went to Business School.
Not a huge decision in most contexts, but it was definitely one that taught me about why we make the choices we make - and WHY we should make the choices we make.
Today's episode is a reflection on Bono, U2's legendary frontman. It's based on a post I wrote shortly after watching them perform The Joshua Tree live in Chicago.
Bono represents the ideal when it comes to achievement. He does what he loves, has achieved tremendous success and uses this fame and success to do more for others. It's an ideal worth us pursuing in our own ways.
Today's episode focuses on a story from Live Aid back in the mid-Eighties and a moment that set the band U2 on the path to global stardom.
But on the day, it didn't seem like it to the band - and represents a lesson about risk-taking that we can all learn from.
Today's episode focuses on the age old debate of nature versus nurture. We love to argue whether talent is innate or developed, or whether entrepreneurs are born versus made.
In the show, I argue that it doesn't matter - our only choice is to move forward to strive to achieve what we want. The alternatives aren't worth considering.
Today's episode focuses on the one and only fundamental of success - doing the work.
Our role models from the sports to the business worlds understand this. The one commonality amongst all of them is that they've paid their dues. They put in the effort and did what was needed to lay the foundation for their success. If we aspire to that success, we need to do the same.
Today's podcast speaks to the perception that many of us have that we need to be (or at least show we're) perfect in front of those we live and work with.
The problem with this approach is that it's founded in insecurity and the idea that our vulnerability is something we should hide, when in fact, it's actually our strength.
Do you expect a musician to be good at financial analysis? Do you expect a financial analyst to be good to creative work? Of course not. Then why do we define "good" in our teams in specific, narrow ways?
Today's episode speaks to focus on our colleague's strengths and not class people as good or otherwise based on preconceived notions.
As the podcast hits 100 episodes, I close out this month's focus on lessons from popular culture.
In particular, today's episode talks to the idea of putting our past in context. That we need to not only prize our prior experiences but also focus on moving forward. That our past doesn't define us - we continue to define ourselves.
This month's podcasts draw lessons from popular culture.
Today's episode is about legacy. I've always been intrigued by the fact that, when we leave, our world tends to go with us. So how do we leave something behind? How do we ensure that some part of our world, our experiences, remains well after we are gone?
This month's podcasts draw lessons from popular culture.
Today's episode speaks to the importance of self-talk and our choice of words. But not simply in the most overt sense that we need to recite affirmations, but even in our most casual conversations with ourselves. Our self-talk matters.
This month's podcasts draw lessons from popular culture.
In today's episode, I discuss a quote from Thom Yorke of Radiohead about this idea of exposure and vulnerability and the role it plays not only in art (which we tend to accept) but also in business (which we often don't).
This months podcast deals with matters of culture.
In today's episode, I speak to the Sumo concept of Hinkaku - that is, how being a champion is about more than tangible measures of performance. It also has to do with how we behave.
This month's topics focus on personal war stories and observations.
In today's episode, I talk about an experience I had with the late, great Professor C.K. Prahalad when I was at Ross Business School, and specifically what it taught me about actually being clear about what we want, versus chasing some idea of what we think we want.
This month's topics focus on personal war stories and observations.
In today's episode, I talk about the time I turned down the chance to see Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls. Which is enough of a story in and of itself, but it's really a lesson in the need for balance, compartmentalization and looking out for yourself.
