Convenience is seductive, and we trade precious things away for it all the time. Part of the reason it dominates our lives is that we only consider the cost once. After that, it continues to remind us of the benefits–the time and hassle and decisions we save. But convenience can cost us. Our humanity, our…
Of all the consulting requests I receive, helping executives (or their teams) strengthen their LinkedIn presence is the most common — and for good reason. LinkedIn is no longer optional for executives. It’s where top talent, investors, journalists, and industry peers vet leaders and build trust — often before they’ve ever met you. I’ve seen…
This is the quickest and most direct way to manage. In the short run, compliance is predictable and might even be effective. Over time, it’s always outdone by the generative and resilient alternative of, “because it’s the course that most effectively helps us achieve our shared objectives.” That opens the door to the brains and…
In the 1890s, Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov noticed how dogs began salivating not just when food was placed in front of them, but when they heard the footsteps of the person bringing the food. He ran experiments where he’d ring a bell right before he fed his dogs. After repeating this several times, the dogs…
When I introduce myself at workshops, I often joke that my marketing career path looks a bit like two truths and a lie — even though it’s all “truth.” Turns out, I’m not alone. Talking with other successful marketers, a non-linear career path is one thing many of us have in common, whether by choice…
On an airplane, we notice even tiny changes in acceleration (including direction) but we’re completely unaware that we’re traveling at hundreds of miles an hour. “Compared to what” is the unstated question that we ask ourselves, all the time. Consumers, employees and peers are unlikely to think about what’s already a given. It’s the changes…
Start where you are. Start with what you’ve got. Start now. Now is the perfect moment. It only feels ‘fast’ if we’re rushing. Don’t rush. But act. With deliberate progress.
They’ve always happened on social media, forums, news sites, and blogs. But now they’re happening in AI responses—and these mentions influence how millions of people discover and perceive your brand. Welcome to the new era of brand mention monitoring. Right… Read more ›
The next dish. It might be better than the one you have now. The presence of the next dish, its possibility, corrodes our experience. “Compared to what?” keeps needling us. The next email, the next text, the next blog post. It arrives, unbidden, unasked for. Here it comes. Next. Like Lucy in the chocolate factory,…
Perhaps this metaphor will help: Nails are the easiest to use and require the least skill. Glue can make a more solid bond, but it’s often a one-way commitment–you can’t undo it without damage. And screws are the most resilient. They require good judgment in their selection and skill in their application. They create a…