Josh Linkner's Blog, page 21
June 7, 2015
Who’s (or What’s) Your Enemy?
Darth Vader was intent on using his natural abilities to destroy humanity and lure good people to the “dark side.” Produce manufacturers are haunted not only by their direct competitors, but also by the giant salty snack conglomerates that are purveyors of instant gratification but lack nutritional value. Kids in troubled urban areas with failing schools often face the enemy of illiteracy.
On your path, you will inevitably encounter enemy forces. Sometimes, however, the real enemy is not who...
May 31, 2015
Harness Your Peak Activity Window
Imagine an early morning visit to the zoo. You’re all excited to see animals leaping around with enthusiasm, demonstrating their swift command over nature. You first stop by the owl exhibit, only to find these majestic creatures engulfed in deep slumber. Next, you wander over to cringe at the creepy bat display, only to find it closed until dusk. At least you see some excitement from the roosters who appear to be totally in their groove during these early morning hours.
We all learned back in...
May 25, 2015
Aftershock
The forceful and deadly 7.8-magnitude earthquake that ripped through Nepal on April 25 ravaged the country, leaving more than 8,000 people dead.
Unfortunately, the tragedy continued weeks later when, on May 12, an aftershock earthquake struck the region for a second time. Only slightly less intense, the aftershock was measured as a 7.3.
The experts who study earthquakes expect and try to plan for aftershocks.
Aftershocks of different nature occur in many aspects of business and life, yet we’r...
May 17, 2015
Your First Day
Remember that first day at your new job?
You spoke to friends and family the night before; you were brimming with excitement. You could hardly sleep, and when the morning alarm rang, you jumped out of bed with enthusiasm. It felt like a sunny day, even though the clouds were out, and you practically skipped into the building when you arrived early. The day was filled with optimism, possibility and curiosity.
Then Day Two arrived with just a little less eagerness. The commute was a pain, you n...
May 10, 2015
What Was. What Is. What’s Next?
What Was: “That’s the way we’ve always done things.”
What Is: “Don’t rock the apple cart; if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
What’s Next: “I wonder what would happen if we took an entirely different route…”
When you think about your own organization, what percentage of energy, focus, and brainpower do you spend in each category?If you’re chasing sustainable success,What’s Nextshould become your mantra.It is such a short and beautiful question that challenges the established norms and explores...
May 3, 2015
The Cobra Effect
During the time of British rule of colonial India, the government became concerned that too many deadly cobras roamed the streets.The leaders came up with what appeared to be a clever solution – pay a bounty to any citizen who brought forward a dead cobra.The “cash for snakes” program worked like a charm for a while, and the streets became clear of these poisonous reptiles.
But then a shift happened.The payouts began to increase at a staggering pace.When British officials investigated, they d...
April 26, 2015
Look Up
One day while living in Nairobi, Kenya, Kenton Lee found himself walking to church next to a young girl. He noticed that, despite their lengthy walk, her shoes were far too small for her little, but growing, feet. He felt sorry for her and wondered why such injustice existed. To him, shoes seemed like such an obvious thing; a basic necessity. And yet here, for this child, shoes were once given to her, but that was in a distant past and that same pair no longer sufficed for her present needs.
...April 19, 2015
White Space
“It ain’t about the notes you play,” legendary trumpeter Miles Davis once proclaimed. “It’s about the notes youdon’tplay.”
In the art world, the unused space around a painted object is known as white space and is considered equally important to the image itself. The open space frames the work, providing the necessary contrast to allow the image to stand out. Think of those nearly blank print ads with a small Apple logo in the middle of a sea of white, and you’ll realize that great advertising...
April 11, 2015
Learning and Unlearning
When you study the best-of-the-best, they share a common trait across industries, age, geography, gender, and skill set. Top performers are lifetime learners. Instead of hanging up their studies upon completion of formal education, they embrace a love of learning for the long run. They devour books, lectures, and workshops to improve their game.
This isn’t a groundbreaking concept. “Duh,” you may proclaim. “Earners are Learners. I get it. I’ve heard that a thousand times.”
But here’s the twis...
April 5, 2015
Compasses Over Maps
A map is certainly a handy tool to help you reach your destination. When the map is accurate, you can sit back and follow your course, no thinking required.
Your brain can really take a vacation if you’re using the GPS guidance in your car or from Google Maps. When the system tells you exactly how to navigate every twist and turn, you can focus elsewhere and simply comply.
But what if the map is wrong? When conditions change, such as roadwork or an accident, your GPS system no longer maximize...
