Category: Leadership

  • Great quote of the day

    “There is only one way to avoid criticism : do nothing , say nothing , and be nothing.” – Aristotle Adopted from Simon Sinek’s “Together is Better”

  • “Slow and steady” in business as well wins the race

    10X or high performing companies as analyzed by Jim Collins in “Great By Choice” exhibit one very surprising pattern They have pegged their targets to a ceiling while at the same time earmarking a level beyond which it should never fall down. It is like playing an infinite game of business with discipline to fight…

  • Are you still living your life by accident?

    Most of us live our lives by accident.We live as it happens without wanting to take risks to chase our passion. Fulfillment comes when we live our lives on purpose. It’s upto us to choose the kind of life we want Adopted from Simon Sinek’s book “Together is Better”

  • Comparison between Amundsen’s and Scott’s South Pole expeditions

    Adopted from the book titled “Great By Choice” by Jim Collins. Roald Amundsen and Rober Falcon Scott had contrasting approaches in their march towards South Pole. In the end it was the better prepared and ferociously competitive Amundsen who not only reached South Pole earlier but returned home safely. The following link from wikipedia.com highlights…

  • “Ambition” for self vs a “Just cause”

    All high performing leaders are incredibly ambitious. What makes their ambition different and in turn helps them rally followers and supporters around them is that their ambition is for a “just cause” not for self. When followers are shown a futuristic “just cause” for achieving something larger than themselves it can lead to a big…

  • How to succeed in an “unforgiving environment”?

    Look at the behavior patterns of the following 10X high performing leaders: Herb Kelleher of South West Airlines – Predicting 11 of the last 3 recessions Andy Grove of Intel –  “Always looking for the black cloud in the silver lining” Bill Gates – Issuing nightmare memos in Microsoft By embracing the myriad of possible…

  • Is “Productive Paranoia” good for high performing organizations?

    The high performing 10X companies are ones who maintain hypervigilance in good times as well as bad. They are always on their toes wary of disruption and hence competing with themselves to be a better version everyday. These companies constantly consider the possibility that events could turn against them at any moment and hence to…

  • “Progressive Insurance” – a first of its kind

    Progressive Insurance under the able 10X leadership of Peter Lewis became the first publicly held company to report underwriting results monthly.This was way back in 2001. This was not only against conventional wisdom , it was a step that went a long way in making “Progressive’s” reporting processes much more transparent to Wall Street investors.…

  • “Empiricism” over “Analysis” or vice versa?

    10X leaders are characterized by unique traits that enable them to stand tall when the chips are down. Following conventional wisdom when the tide is rough is not something that can help someone stand out of the rest of the pack. Hence 10X leaders be it Andy Grove of Intel or Ronald Amundsen who conquered…

  • “Avoiding conventional wisdom” during uncertain times

    Social psychology research dictates that during times of uncertainty we should look up to experts as to how to proceed in the best possible manner. The pattern of all 10X leaders be it Peter Lewis of Progressive Insurance , Herb Kelleher of SWA , suggests that during uncertain times they did not do what the…