Ellen Galinsky Huffington Post
Why, asked psychiatrist and author Edward Hallowell, do we get our best ideas in the shower? He was addressing an audience of educators and families sponsored by the 92nd Street Y in New York City, asking them to rethink how we are raising and teaching children.
Hallowell answered himself. It is the one last refuge, he said, the one place where we aren't being bombarded by media and where we can be alone with our thoughts and feelings.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Why The Best Bosses Are Confident But Not Really Sure
Psychology Today
You're confident but not really sure. That's a state of mind that sounds paradoxical, but at times it really is true. In fact, it's the essence of what developmental psychologist John Meacham called the "attitude of wisdom." And it's a good description of some bosses who strike a healthy balance between knowing and doubting.
Meacham's insight, which was developed much further by organizational psychologist Karl Weick, was that the people we consider wise have the courage to act on their beliefs and convictions at the same time that they have the humility to realize that they might be wrong, and must be prepared to change their beliefs and actions when better information comes along.
You're confident but not really sure. That's a state of mind that sounds paradoxical, but at times it really is true. In fact, it's the essence of what developmental psychologist John Meacham called the "attitude of wisdom." And it's a good description of some bosses who strike a healthy balance between knowing and doubting.
Meacham's insight, which was developed much further by organizational psychologist Karl Weick, was that the people we consider wise have the courage to act on their beliefs and convictions at the same time that they have the humility to realize that they might be wrong, and must be prepared to change their beliefs and actions when better information comes along.
Friday, November 19, 2010
The Fallacy of the Great Idea
ChangeThis
The simple truth is that it is quite possible to create a thriving business without a big idea.
Yes, the world needs people with grand ideas who are willing to take big risks to further progress. In truth, most “great ideas” will never make their investors a penny. True, some companies have made billions from a unique product, but close inspection of many world-beating businesses reveals that their unique selling point is hard to pin down. Can anyone honestly tell the difference between Coke and Pepsi? And at the end of the day, McDonalds and Burger King both sell burgers.
In almost any industry you consider, the incumbents will be stuck in their ways. Small, nimble businesses can quickly integrate the latest ideas into their offerings. A lack of resources can act as a great spur to thinking laterally. Make it a mission to implement industry best practice into all areas of your business, and the next “great idea” may be a seemingly minor change you make to an existing industry.
The simple truth is that it is quite possible to create a thriving business without a big idea.
Yes, the world needs people with grand ideas who are willing to take big risks to further progress. In truth, most “great ideas” will never make their investors a penny. True, some companies have made billions from a unique product, but close inspection of many world-beating businesses reveals that their unique selling point is hard to pin down. Can anyone honestly tell the difference between Coke and Pepsi? And at the end of the day, McDonalds and Burger King both sell burgers.
In almost any industry you consider, the incumbents will be stuck in their ways. Small, nimble businesses can quickly integrate the latest ideas into their offerings. A lack of resources can act as a great spur to thinking laterally. Make it a mission to implement industry best practice into all areas of your business, and the next “great idea” may be a seemingly minor change you make to an existing industry.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)