Pile On Motivation

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Category: Book review

  • Larry Fink & Sense of Purpose

    In 2018 , Larry Fink the CEO of BlackRock ,caused a bit of stir with his letter to CEO’s highlighting “Sense Of Purpose”.

    This shows the importance of a just cause and sense of purpose in any modern day business to make an organization relevant in the infinite game of business.

    Please find below the link for the letter titled “Sense Of Purpose”.I personally found it very illuminating.

    https://corpgov.law.harvard.edu/2018/01/17/a-sense-of-purpose/

    Simon Sinek mentions this in his book titled “The Infinite Game”

  • Responsibility of every business

    The three pillars that outline the responsibility of every business are:

    1) Advance a just cause – Just cause should be advanced to make the cause of existence of the business bigger than itself.This can be achieved by giving a sense of belonging.

    2) Protect the People – Unless the people feel safe they would not be motivated to give off their best.

    3) Generate profit – To advance the business in order to enable it to survive the test of time.

    These three pillars have been the foundation based on which iconic companies like Apple , CostCo have built their business in order to be relevant in the infinite game of business.

    Simon Sinek mention about this in his book “The Infinite Game”.

  • How Milton Freidman’s “shareholder primacy” led to a finite mindset

    In the 1970’s the Noble winning economist named Milton Freidman put forward his views around “shareholder supremacy” and changed the meaning of capitalism inside out.

    According to him a business and its owners should operate with the sole aim of making profit to maximise the value of its shareholders.The views expressed by the economist has taken centre stage in the world of business from the 1980’s.

    To promote shareholder value , business leaders worldwide developed a short sighted finite mindset radically different from the infinite mindset of business owners prior to 1980’s.In this age businesses operated to maximise value of employees resulting in a win-win for the organization.

    These views have been put forward by Simon Sinek in his book titled “The Infinite Game” to make the audience aware of the need of possessing an infinite mindset in the infinite game of business.

  • Storytelling tips from “Long Story Short”

    Some of the points I found very helpful from Margot Leitman’s Long Story Short.

    1) There is no need to explicit explain the moral of your story to the audience

    2) What is most important is that the story should move the audience

    3) Trying to control audience reaction and feelings is impossible

    4)It is difficult to get back audience once we lose their favor

    5)What is importance is purity of your intentions for the audience to appreciate the same

    6) Inner monologue makes for a compelling story

    7) Do not share the tale about someone for the purpose of gossip , rather share it for making the occasion memorable

    8) Always be ten steps ahead of the audience

  • Storytelling tips for the day

    The following tips from Margot Leitman , in storytelling , are the tips of the day.This is from the book titled “Long Story Short”.

    1. Importance of an universal theme – Unless Your Tale contains a Universal Theme , it is best left with your therapist or your best friend.
    2. Trick us into listening by making us think it’s all about us.The story should make the audience part of it by enabling them to relate to it.This would make them engage with the speaker.
    3. The Person who can keep us on the edge of our seats while talking about a turkey sandwich it a truly gifted storyteller.

  • Avoid fudging the truth in storytelling

    The following should be avoided while telling a story.This is because the audience is intelligent enough to understand whether a speaker is lying or not.

    Margot Leitman points out the following as strict NO-NO while telling a story in her book titled “Long Story Short”.

    1. Modifying the plot
    2. Making up characters
    3. Altering the story’s emotional truth

  • Watch out for Finite Mindset leaders & their messages

    It is basic human nature that the order in which information is presented more often than not conveys priorities and strategies of a leader.

    Mike Duke who became the fourth CEO of Walmart was known for his finite mindset and his tenure from 2009 to 2013 was characterized by lack of trust and severe resentment among employees.

    Mike Duke’s strategy excerpt:

    “Our strategy is sound and our management team is extremely capable.I am confident we will continue to deliver value to our stakeholders, increase opportunity for our over 2 million associates , and help our 180 million customers around the world save money and live better.”

    This strategy put profits and shareholders first and employees after that.

    Don Mcmillon who succeeded Duke was characterized by an infinite mindset , excerpt from his strategy statement:

    This has thus enabled him to restore the brand value of Walmart after the abysmal failure of Mike Duke.

    “The company has a rich history of delivery value to customers across the globe and as their needs grow and change we will be there to serve them.Our management team is talented and experienced and our strategy gives me the confidence that our future is bright”.By keeping our promises to customers , we will drive shareholder value create opportunities for our associates and grow our business.”

    Clearly this put people priorities first.

    Simon Sinek has mentioned these subtle aspects in his book titled “The Infinite Game”.

  • The contrasting approaches of COSTCO and GE CEO’s

    The share prices and growth patterns of COSTCO and GE are really noteworthy.

    Jack Welch and his 6 sigma philosophy focused on optimization & short term gains always putting people priorities behind shareholder interests and profits.

    At the same time James Senegal of COSTCO always put his people first , knowing fully well that satisfied employees would be able to take care of customers and hence the shareholders.

    The result is right in front of our eyes. The shareholder returns , margins of COSTCO are something to be really proud of as against the finite mindset of GE top bosses.

    Simon Sinek has wonderfully illustrated this point in many of his videos on “The Infinite Game”

  • The role of a CVO in an infinite game

    For playing the infinite game of business with an infinite mindset the modern day CEO needs to be a visionary putting people’s priorities first over bottom line ,stock markets etc.

    A finite mindset wherein bottom line , profit margins become the first priority over people issues , though successful in the short term can lead to severe detrimental effects in the long term.

    This is why the need of the hour is no longer a CEO but a CVO(Chief Vision Officer) who would put people priorities first , make the life of employees meaningful and inspiring in advancing the “just cause” of the organization.

    Simon Sinek makes a mention of the same in his book titled “The Infinite Game”

  • Why a CFO or a COO may not fit as the CEO?

    Look at Apple and how selection of John Sculley at the helm nearly killed Apple.Sculley it is said was obsessed competing with IBM.

    When Michael Dell stepped down and Kevin Rollins took over , same story which is why the same way Apple brought back Steve Jobs , Dell had to bring back Michael Dell.

    Something similar happened to Microsoft when Steve Ballmer took charge.

    All these individuals Steve Ballmer , Kevin Rollins , John Sculley inspite of being super talented miserably failed as CEO’s.

    This is because as CFO or COO a person can succeed inspite of not putting people’s priorities first.

    Whereas in the infinite game without putting people priorities first a CEO can succeed in the long term but never in the long term.Once the focus shits first to bottomline and numbers the company culture and internal trust takes a huge beating.

    Simon Sinek brings out this point in his book titled “The Infinite Game”.