A Pirate's Wisdom

2011-09-28T11:08:00.001-07:00

Read the new post in my blog:

http://ping.fm/MNtnO

At the fringes

2011-08-15T12:48:00.001-07:00

There is a wonderful article about complex companies that survive more than 200 years. In many ways these companies are similar to cities or states...or even countries. For example, one of the aspects is that these companies tolerate and often encourage eccentric activities at the margins. This is very similar to the notion of pirates...letting activity at the edges be exploratory and provocative.

Here is a link to the article:

http://designmind.frogdesign.com/articles/the-connected-company.html

2011-07-06T11:55:00.001-07:00

Why do we design education around assessment and accreditation instead of around students? Why are registrars more important than students?

2011-06-13T14:15:00.001-07:00

A man meets a guru in the road. The man asks the guru, “Which way is success?”

The berobed, bearded sage speaks not but points to a place off in the distance.

The man, thrilled by the prospect of quick and easy success, rushes off in the appropriate direction. Suddenly, there comes a loud splat.

Eventually, the man limps back, tattered and stunned, assuming he must have misinterpreted the message. He repeats his question to the guru, who again points silently in the same direction.

The man obediently walks off once more. This time the splat is deafening, and when the man crawls back, he is bloody, broken, tattered, and irate.

“I asked you which way is success,” he screams at the guru. “I followed the direction you indicated. And all I got was splatted! No more of this pointing! Talk!”

Only then does the guru speak, and what he says is this: “Success IS that way. Just a little AFTER the splat.”

2011-02-06T19:05:00.001-08:00

There should be a clear beginning to any story, a defining moment that sets the entire train of events in motion so that the story seems to flow in a reasonable sequence from start to finish, a moment when a person realizes they are part of history.

2011-02-06T15:50:00.001-08:00

Maybe if we follow a trail, we have already lost our way. My path is not your path, though we might walk near each other at times.

2011-02-05T16:53:00.001-08:00

When our tires are stuck in a rut the wrong thing to do spin our wheels trying harder to go in the same direction. A lesson that applies to life.

2010-07-29T09:26:00.001-07:00

http://ping.fm/ar5tB
This is a great article on creativity and education. We need to stop thinking about creativity as a class and as a way of learning

2010-05-03T14:42:00.001-07:00

New book Review on Amazon. Maestro: A Surprising Story About Leading by Listening.
I love this book. It inspired me and gave me some great ideas about how to approach bringing an organization together. The story is a fictional encounter between a Maestro (orchestra conductor) and a business executive who use the metaphor of conducting the orchestra to discuss leadership. The twist in this book is that the executive learns experientially by sitting or standing at different locations in the orchestra during rehearsals. He hears the instructions from the Maestro and then hears the changes in the music.

The messages are reminiscent of many leadership books and focus on the helping the individual bring their best self to the group so that the group. The language, however, cuts across the usual leadership language and engages the reader in musical dynamic. What does happen, for example, when we all listen to the oboe and play so that the oboe can be heard? What happens when we all chose to blend our individual talent with those around us? How does the world change when the music become more important than my performance as an individual?
The book is an easy, short and sweet read. It would be great to teams to read, or to use in a class on training teams. There is a link to the author’s website, who is a Maestro. I do not know what he charges to conduct for his workshops, but after reading this book I know that I would love to attend one.

2010-03-17T13:43:00.001-07:00

Book review: Why we Make mistakes by Joseph T. Hallinan
The more I read about the brain the more I am amazed. This book focuses on the many ways that the brain seeks for meaning, and lead us astray in making decisions. For example, if we are asked our area code (three digits) and then asked when Attila the Hun lived, we will try to answer with a three digit year. Our brains find a baseline and move on from there.
We remember stories, but adapt them to our culture. We remember events, but tweak them to our own benefit or acclaim. Men over-estimate their IQ and women underestimate theirs, and then act with a confidence level based on this estimate. We invest our money in what we want to believe we will do, and not what we actually do (think about un-used gym memberships). We respond in positive ways to attractive people and ads, and act appropriately if there are pictures of eyes watching us.
And that world of marketing is on to us and designs credit card, commercials, lease agreements, casinos, and other ads know how to use this against us.
Interested? Read the book. Very fun and very informative. I recommend it to anyone interested in how thinking and problem solving actually works.
Elisa Robyn, author of Pirate Wisdom.

2010-02-27T20:21:00.001-08:00

Book Review of The Element by Sir Robinson.

This book has some great strengths and presents some powerful insights. The author is a wonderful speaker (watch him on youtube) and I could hear his voice as I read the book. There is a good bit of humor in that book that stresses the need for all of us to find our personal element.

The book effectively presents the idea that helping children find their element will improve education. Sir Robinson reached me when he started talking about the notion of Tribe; the idea that we can learn about our element by finding our fit in the world. Who do we relate with? Who inspires us? Where do we feel at home? When we are open to learning about ourselves through our relationships and groups, we have an easier time finding our element.

The book contains a great number of stories of people (some celebrities) who found their element and pursued it to great success. I loved the chapters on the diversity of intelligence, the power of imagination, and the advice to stay committed to our won capabilities. Sir Robinson reminds us to listen to our own inner calling and to not be dissuaded by the group. All in all I found this book to be very inspirational and enlightening. Great information backed by research and delivered with a sense of humor. I recommend it to anyone as a good read, as bit of encouragement about personal path, and for a new view on education and learning.

2010-02-27T16:27:00.001-08:00

Book Review: Greater than Yourself by Steve Farber

I read every leadership book I can find, but I have never found one that described my personal leadership style in simple terms. As I read the book I more and more realized why I had been a successful leader, as well as recognized the common thread linking other leaders that I respect and admire. The focus of the leader is not on personal ego, but on the potential of the everyone else in the organization. This type of leader is rare, but incredibly powerful.

The book has a very simple formula for success: expand yourself, give yourself, and replicate yourself. This means that we need to find and be our best self, share that, and help someone else become their best self. It sounds so simple, but first we first have to get our ego out of the way. We have to be willing to give away the credit and not worry about building our own brand. We succeed when we help others around us succeed.

I like this book because it has a simple yet powerful message. There are no charts to memorize, no tests to take, “seven” right things to do. Be your best self, share your best self, help others be their best self. Start again and repeat. This is one of the story based leadership books I have read. The story is not overly contrived, nor does it require that I meet a Jedi leader in order to grow. I recommend this book to anyone in a leadership position, anyone who understands that we can be leaders at any level of our life, as well as students of leadership. A quick simple read with a great message.

Elisa Robyn, author of Pirate Wisdom

2010-01-28T14:59:00.001-08:00

If we are driven by the fear of getting fired we will not have the courage to do our job. If we ignore our soul, we will lack the wisdom.

2010-01-23T20:57:00.001-08:00

There is a moment when I realize that it is time to change the tack my boat is on,regardless of the wind or sea or closness to shore.Tacking

2010-01-15T12:25:00.001-08:00

Read the book review of Leap: How 3 simple changes can propel your career from good to great by Rick Smith on Amazon

There are tons of these books out there…how to find the career you want and love your life. Some are full of nonsense. This one makes sense. The book starts out telling us to find our “primary color” or best fit. Good advice, but I kept reading wondering if there is an easy way to do this. Rick Smith provides a free online test that helps with this part. So I went online and found my color. Now what?

The book then moves into what makes changes work, and here is where things do get interesting. Smith suggests that break-away ideas, career leaps incorporate three elements: they are big, selfless and simple. The book is full of believable examples, though I have to admit I was still not sold. What idea am I supposed to come up with, and where do I get it?

The last part of the book holds the unique message. Smith tracks the path of career-leaps with an interesting twist. Success does not come from leaping blindly into the night, but from use a spark sequence to get them going. This might mean working half-time at an old job for stability and half-time at a new one to try it out, or perhaps volunteering to test a job for a fit. The sequence means we educate ourselves, experiment with a new situation, and then turn our experience into a new life. This makes sense, and is actually something that makes me think differently about life change. Not just a toe in the water, but also not a dive from the high board.

Finally, Smith takes some time to talk about happiness and life changes. I love this quote “Winning is trying and failing. Winning is finding your own lily pad, your own definition of success, your own rules of happiness. Wining, in a word, is variance, not conformity.”

I recommend this book to anyone feeling stuck in a career or job. I also recommend this to people just starting to look for jobs, as well as to career counselors.

Elisa Robyn, author of Pirate Wisdom

2010-01-09T18:52:00.001-08:00

Read my review of Reframing change on Amazon. Make sure you vote if it is helpful! I read a great number of leadership and organizational change books, so I thought this would be one more of the same. I am happy to report that this is a step above many of the books that I have read. There are three elements that set it apart: a focus on the human elements without blame, case study type of presentation based on research, and inserts detailing the research with references.
The overall focus of the book is on changing the way individuals perceive situations and others in the organization. The premise of the book is that if people act with integrity and learn to develop positive workplace relationships, there will be a ripple effect that engenders changes in the organization as a whole. This occurs when people are aware of personal biases and behaviors.
To achieve this end the book reports on conversations that occur in a workshop, with the leaders applying currently social science research. It is more than a book on communication; rather it is a how-to manual for communicating with anyone in an organization. The use of conversations is very effective and direct. The book demonstrates specific skills in a format that is easily applied.
My favorite elements in the book are the regular inserts that reference the research being applied. There is a short statement with a clear citation to primary research, usually in a juried academic journal. This brings a great bit of strength to the case studies and advice.
I highly recommend this book to anyone needing to clarify relationships within their corporation or institution. It is an excellent book for a class in organizational change and leadership. It is an easy read and would also be helpful to teachers or other individuals involved in training. I give if five stars.

2010-01-08T10:37:00.001-08:00

Never stay in a place that makes you feel like you have sandpaper on your soul. There are as many options in the world as stars in the sky.

2010-01-07T13:44:00.001-08:00

Mermaid Chronicles continue:
http://ping.fm/fFtgP

2010-01-05T18:21:00.001-08:00

The mermaid chronicles continue:
http://ping.fm/wkWP8

2010-01-04T10:43:00.001-08:00

The mermaids chronicles continue:
http://ping.fm/uxIb5

2010-01-03T18:41:00.001-08:00

To read the Mermaid's Chronicle check out the blog:
http://ping.fm/TXMQk

2010-01-03T18:10:00.001-08:00

After many years I have decided to return to the sea. This decision was not made lightly and needs explanation in the mermaids chronicle

2009-12-29T20:17:00.001-08:00

Step one in the search for the No-job-option (NJO), is to find the box that I must think out of. What are my created limits & assumptions?

2009-12-26T21:15:00.001-08:00

How to Pirate your life by creating a no-job-option (NJO). This is the 2010 goal, with a bit of wicked fun. Read the details as I go.

2009-12-26T09:29:00.001-08:00

When the vampires are running the ship it is appropriate to call them draconic. They will think it is a compliment. In 2010 I perfect NJO

2009-12-24T20:17:00.001-08:00

Goal for 2010: put more life in my life. Anyone interested can check in on information about how to "pirate" life and leave the rules behind.

2009-12-04T15:10:00.001-08:00

The step-by-step guide to self-publishing for profit by Pinheiro and Russell
I have heard authors say that writing is the easiest part of their job. All authors need a book like this next to them at their desk. This easy to read book covers everything an author needs to know about publishing and marketing a book, from setting up an office space to setting up daily goals, from to choosing apen name and designing business cards, from designing a book cover to setting up PDF files, from finding a niche to marketing on amazon.
There are a number of books on the market in this genre, each with a unique twist. This book adds elements about the life of a writer that are helpful and refreshing. It also focuses on great detail on the self-publishing service provided by CreateSpace. At times this comes across as a bit of a comercial, but overall the effect is educational. Many of the suggestions in the book can be applied to more than one company and are very detailed in nature. This is one of the stronger parts of the book since there is a great deal of information that is difficult to find in one place. I recommend this to anyone starting out in the world of self publishing.
The book also focuses on marketing and promoting books over the internet, including sites to use for a website. The advice is very clear and easy to follow, just as the step-by-step in the title suggests. The internet world is very large and can seem overwhelming, but this book helps an author get started and keep going. I also enjoyed the author interviews included at the end of the book covering promotion techniques and the list of resources.
All of this is presented in an easy to read format. I carried this book on an airplane and read the entire book on one leg of the journey. I suggest that you have a highlighter handy while you are reading this book. Mark up and bookmark the pages because you are going to want to refer back to many areas again and again.
I recommend this book to any author looking at the world of self-publishing, which seems to be most of us. Many authors have told me that even though their work has been picked up by a traditional publisher they still have to market themselves and their work. This book will is a great resource for anyone needing this advice.

2009-11-02T19:41:00.001-08:00

Book Review The Talent Code by Coyle on Amazon: This book was a surprise. Somehow I expected something about how to spot talent, hire talent, or use talent for corporate success. What I got was a great book on learning and brain development. This well written and well researched book discusses the power of deep practice on the Myelin coating in the brain. Myelin is the insulating sheath surrounding nerve enabling them to conduct impulses between the brain and other parts of the body. The electrical current must travel without being corrupted, scrambled, diverted from the proper path, or leaking energy. Therefore, myelin is like the layer of plastic insulation surrounding an interior wire, which is the nerve.
Myelin increases when we engage in deep practice. Much like Gladwell discusses in Outliers, success comes after thousands of hours of good correct practice. This intense practice occurs when we are in a zone of focus, repeating correct actions over and over again, stopping and correcting mistakes, and repeating correct actions again. This grows and thickens that myelin over the nerves allowing for faster more accurate responses.
Before we can practice we need motivation, which he calls ignition. He also discusses why some motivation sticks and some does not using examples from a variety of sports and educational settings. This is not the world of pep-talks, but of inspiration that comes from the HSE…the Holy Shit Effect. We suddenly see someone just like us who won a golf tournament and realize that maybe we could play golf well. Coyle give numerous examples that support the HSE.
Finally Coyle points out the importance of good coaching. He reports on many studies on coaching and teaching that change our notions of the “sage on the stage” and encourage us to be a “guide on the side” to be effective. He found that short, precise and intense feedback is more effective than lectures. He uses examples from education citing the KIPP and KEEP projects, as well as more sports.
This is a great book. I was inspired to return to my piano and work on my novel. The more I practice the more myelin I grow and the better I get. Intense focused practice in the sweet zone is the secret. See perfection, measure my distance from it, reach, repeat.
Great book for educators and coaches, or anyone interested in brain research or cognitive psychology. Great book to get anyone motivated to try harder!

2009-11-02T19:15:00.001-08:00

Book Review of Trade-offs by Maney. Read it on Amazon
Is there a magic formula for success? This author suggests that successful products and companies know that they must choose between Fidelity and Convenience. Fidelity refers to outstanding quality that might be difficult to obtain, but is worth the effort. Convenience is, well, just what it sounds like, easy to obtain or less expensive. Harvard is fidelity, University of Phoenix is convenient. One is not better than the other, they just fill different niches.
There are two difficult areas on the scale between fidelity and convenience. The first is the fidelity belly, where most companies and technology start. The Kindle is in the belly right now. It is cool to use, but still expensive and not very convenient. Either the technology will improve or the price will come down for the kindle to become more convenient.
The second dangerous area is the mirage that a company can be both high fidelity and highly convenient. Starbucks tried this and has diluted their brand. At first Starbucks was high fidelity, a Starbucks cup meant that you had been somewhere special. Then something changed, Starbucks appeared on every corner and became convenient. They lost their aura of fidelity. Aiming for the fidelity mirage they ended up in the fidelity belly. Success is usually obtained if products of companies possess Super fidelity or Super convenience, they cannot have both.
This formula might be simplified, but it does make a great deal of sense. Target is convenient, Nordstums has fidelity. Both are successful, but for different reasons. Companies that try to be both usually fail. Imagine if the University of Phoenix tried to become the Harvard of the west, or if Harvard had extension campuses in every state. Neither concept would work. The best advice is to pick one and do it well.
This book is an enjoyable read with solid examples and advice. I recommend it to anyone running a company, non-profit or institution, or developing a product. It is also a good read for anyone interested in marketing or cognitive psychology.

2009-10-24T17:52:00.001-07:00

The moon enters Aquarius at 12:08pm PST.
http://ping.fm/OATUi

2009-10-20T09:57:00.001-07:00

People say that what we're all seeking is a meaning for life....I think that what we're really seeking is an experience of being alive, so that our life experiences on the purely physical plane will have resonance within our innermost being and reality, so that we can actually feel the rapture of being alive. Joseph Campbell

2009-10-12T19:31:00.001-07:00

A sample of my Pirate workshop:
http://ping.fm/sdkaO

2009-10-11T08:07:00.001-07:00

I will be offering vitual workshops on how to Pirate your Life with 12Academy. Check out this link: http://ping.fm/pULpR

2009-10-10T10:16:00.001-07:00

For the love of creativity I will entertain new possibilities.
For the love of myself I will acknowledged my worth

2009-10-08T07:32:00.001-07:00

For the love of a tree, she went out on a limb
For the love of the sea, she rocked the boat
For the love of the earth, she dug deeper
C Tall Mountain

2009-10-06T18:07:00.001-07:00

My books will be included in the Leah Cohen Book festival at the JCC. Buy one there and I will include a fre 1/2 hour coaching session!

2009-10-04T19:49:00.001-07:00

Book review of Spent. Read it and vote on Amazon.
Spent is a fun read, if a bit repetitive. The author is an evolutionary psychologist with a great sense of humor who accesses considerable research in the writing of this book. The chapter headings are even entertaining:1. Darwin Goes to the Mall 2. The Genius of Marketing 3. Why Marketing is Central to Culture 4. This Is Your Brain on Money 5. The Fundamental Consumerist Delusion 6. Flaunting Fitness 7. Conspicuous Waste, Precision and Reputation 8. Self-Branding Bodies, Self-Marketing Minds 9. The Central Six 10. Traits That Consumers Flaunt and Marketers Ignore 11. General Intelligence 12. Openness 13. Conscientiousness 14. Agreeableness 15. The Centrifugal Soul 16. The Will to Display 17. Legalizing Freedom Exercises for the Reader Further Reading and View I enjoyed the theory in the book of the six central traits the consumers flaunt, the traits that influence what and how we buy. The second half of the book explores these traits in great depth. The author compares his system to many other personality tests. I found the first part of the book insightful and entertaining. There is a great deal of rich information about the evolution of human personality and desire. We are still connected to that past in which having a good mate is important. Our brains developed as we walked across savannahs, searching for food and trying to attract a mate. Our brains still respond to this need to collect and have as a sign of our desirability.

2009-10-04T19:42:00.001-07:00

Book review of Evolution is True
Read it on amazon.com
I do have a bias. I have an MA in geology and believe that evolution is true. However, if I doubted before I read this book, I would have to become a believer in the science of evolution. This book does an amazing job at explicating the processes of evolution, as well as the drivers. There are numerous examples from the way ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny, to vestigial atavistic features (such as human tails and appendices and dolphin legs) the fossil record and developmental oddities. The author discusses bad design in some animals, and how this could only be due to evolution. Drivers include sexual practices and mating rituals, biogeography, speciation, selection and accidental changes.
This is an easy read with a great deal of solid research behind it. The research is presented in a way that anyone can understand. There are arguments that directly refute intelligent design and address the moral and ethical concerns around evolution. Dr Coyne takes the time to point out the flaws in the ID argument, which is another form of creationism. However, he remains focused on evolution rather than digressing into argument. The author also has a good sense of humor and is clearly an expert in his field.
The book is sprinkled with quotes by Darwin and other scientists. My favorite by Darwin is:
“Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge: it is those who know little, and not those who know much who so positively assert that this or that problem will never be solved by science.”
This book will adds a great deal to the general store of knowledge.

2009-10-04T08:18:00.001-07:00

Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge: it is those who know little, and not those who know much who so positively assert that this or that problem will never be solved by science. Darwin

2009-10-03T18:02:00.001-07:00

Check out my friend's Makr Power Peak!
The new Power Peek is live.

http://ping.fm/hHpVE

2009-09-16T11:13:00.001-07:00

I love these quotes by the late great Joseph Campbell:
http://ping.fm/NdGyT

2009-09-14T15:21:00.001-07:00

Talk like a Pirate day falls on Rosh Hashanah this year. Not sure what that means, but here is a great site that talks about the history of Jewish Pirates
http://ping.fm/f8tM3

2009-09-14T12:10:00.001-07:00

Review of Brain Rules by Dr. John Medina.
vote on Amazon.com

Dr Medina, a developmental molecular biologist, has written a fun and engaging book about the brain that is based on his research. The rules are applicable to our everyday life, and in some cases, to our work and educational settings. This book sets the bar for the new wave of brain books that have entered the marked.

The rules are simple to understand and backed by solid research. There book starts with the evolutionary history of the brain. The human brain developed as we walked for miles across open savannahs. The human brain is built to adapt to change and focus on survival. Our brain was fed by movement and processing information. This means that we are great at ignoring the boring and focusing on changes in patterns. It also means the brain needs to adapt and learn to stay healthy.

The book discusses 12 different “rules” about the brain and how we can apply them. For example, because our brains were built work while we are walking and moving, exercise boosts brain power. So if we want to improve thinking skills, we need to move and get oxygen and glucose to the brain. Aerobic exercise twice a week halves the risk of general dementia and reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s by 60%. On the flip side, there is no greater anti-brain environment than the classroom and the cubicle.

Dr Medina points out that humans do not pay attention to boring things. We are better at seeing patterns and abstracting meaning than recording details. Tapping a person’s emotions helps them learn. People start to fade after 10 minutes in any lecture, and especially during a typical power point, so tap their emotions. Since vision trumps all other senses, we learn and remember best through pictures rather than words.

I loved reading that every brain is wired differently, and men and women are wired completely differently. I see this play out in the graduate courses I teach. Students have different learning styles. Men and women learn differently and are comfortable in different settings.

Finally, the book points out that we are powerful and natural explorers; a fact that is not utilized by academic or corporate settings. We design environments that limit exploration and movement. In fact, our lecture halls look exactly like the ones used in during the Renaissance. I would love to design a school that makes use of all of the rules in this book. I bet we would turn education around.

Read this book if you are in a leadership position, an educational setting, a training positions, or want to make your presentations more effective. Read this book if you want to have a “Mike Wallace” aging experience and be mentally vibrant into your 90’s.

2009-09-09T16:58:00.001-07:00

Book review. Read it all on Amazon vote "helpful"

In Pursuit of Elegance, written by Matthew May, delivered what it promised: the elusive element behind successful innovative breakthroughs. The answer is elegant design. This book not only defines elegance, which is not about setting a table well, but also gives guidance for any development process. I attended a workshop several years ago in which we were challenged to solve problems using elegance of design. I loved the idea, but could never clearly define what elegance in problem solving, or grant writing, or project management or leadership would look like. This book answered many of my questions.
According to May, elegant design comprises the elements of symmetry, seduction, subtraction and sustainability. Symmetry works with the brains ability, and need to find closure and make meaning. Our brain looks for patterns and balance. May defines symmetry as the junction of mathematics, nature, science and art. Symmetry allows our brain to fill in the missing pieces so that we can find solutions with only part of the information available. Games such as Sudoku are solved through this process.
Seduction engages our imagination and captivates us. We are satisfied when we fill in the empty spaces. Solving problems like this gives us a rush of dopamine. This is why less if more and why Sudoku is so addicting.
Subtraction helps us solve the problem of economy. Humans are consumers and tend to hoard. Subtraction creates the space to be filled in so that we can seek symmetry and utilized seduction. Some successful companies have eliminated job titles. Some have reduced the number of standard features. Some advertise less, or with less focus on the product. Traffic circles eliminate traffic control and result in a decrease in accidents. Psychologists have known for years that giving your adolescent less rules is more effective.
The trick is knowing what to subtract. This question is answered by sustainability. We have to create a process that is both repeatable and lasting (think about grants). Sustainable thinking helps us to do that. Together these four elements result in a blend of logic and creative thinking and produce elegant designs.
The book give any real life examples of each of these concepts and how they interact, as well as many ways the author applied them. This is a usable book and one that can help change the way any of us think about problem solving. I highly recommend this book to anyone in the world of leadership, project management, grant writing, marketing, human service management, brain studies or psychology. In fact I think anyone will enjoy this book.

2009-09-07T23:06:00.001-07:00

What do you think about being a Nautical Acquisition and redistribution specialist? Sound like my kind of job.

2009-09-07T08:01:00.001-07:00

Authority is not truth. Truth it authority. But truth takes courage. It will cost us our illusion of security and control.

2009-09-05T21:17:00.001-07:00

Sailing is good for a woman's soul.
Pirating is too important to be left to men.

2009-09-01T11:46:00.001-07:00

Book Review: The Mature Mind by Gene Cohen

This is a short sweet wonderful book. Dr. Cohen is well known in the world of creativity and aging, so this is a great addition to his work. The focus is on brain research and what it tells us about aging and the strengths of the mature brain. Somehow the idea that aging is always accompanied by forgetfulness has worked its way into the social psyche. This is the book that disputes that depressing idea.

This book is a strong mixture of anecdote and scientific research in a format that is accessible and enjoyable. We are introduced to feisty 70 to 90 year olds, new information about brain activity, news thoughts about adult development, as well as suggestions for a healthy future.

Dr Cohen introduces us to four stages of adult development: Midlife reevaluation, Liberation, Summing up, and Encore. In each stage we meet individuals who are still developing and growing. The author also explores the strength of the brain in each phase. We are introduced to the notion that an older brain processes differently, but equally as well as a younger brain. We think differently as we age in that we have more information to link into a decision, and can use the parts of our brain in tandem more easily. We might lose some speed in our processing, but our wisdom, or the result of the processing, increases. We in fact often have better social intelligence.

The book ends with a plan for building a social portfolio and reinventing retirement. Cohn points out that most people do not truly retire, they just move into an encore stage doing things they want to do. The suggestions for keeping our brain active and strong are fairly easy: plan, build community infrastructure, build a balance social portfolio, stay engaged, continue long duration activities, give back to community, and keep learning. Through out the book is another concept, keep physically active. Cohen ends with comments on the importance of creativity.

This is a great book for anyone over 50, or anyone who is afraid of aging. It is also a good book for a developmental psychology course, especially at the graduate level. The research is solid and the presentation welcoming. I highly recommend this book

2009-08-30T21:00:00.001-07:00

Five Minutes on Monday by Alan Lurie is quiet gem. I have not seen it on any lists, but it should be. The author is an architect turned rabbi turned manager. He brings a wide breadth of knowledge and experience to his quiet Monday insights. The book is a compilation of Monday morning talks a business team. While many of the insights come from the Jewish tradition, they are peppered with stories and concepts from philosophy, science and other religious traditions. The tone of the book is very soft, encouraging reflection on the deeper meanings of the ideas.

The topics range from justice to creativity to resolving conflicts to being authentic while facing fears and cultivating happiness. Quiet and powerful. I started to just read through the book, but found that randomly opening it and reading a bite-size section was better. There is an index that is very helpful in finding pertinent themes. Even the short highlighted quotes are useful. For example, I just randomly opened the book to this one:" With experience and guidance, we discover that mistakes can, in fact, often be turned around and transformed into a positive growth experience."

The chapters are short since each was a short Monday talk. I recommend reading one at a time, perhaps daily, and spending some time with the thoughts presented. Again, it is a quiet gem. It does not loudly shout about transformation, the power to change or our need to heal the planet. The truths are simple, direct, and applicable to individual life. The chapters left me thoughtfully inspired...a nice feeling.

I recommend this book to anyone in a leadership position needing some insight, anyone wanting to deepen their daily reflective practice, anyone wanting some quiet inspiration, and anyone interested in applying Jewish (or other) philosophy in a mainstream setting.

2009-08-25T13:48:00.001-07:00

Review of The Science of Fear

Daniel Gardner has done a wonderful job creating a fast-read with good solid research. The Science of Fear points out how easily we are fooled by the way we process the massive amount of information we receive. Gardner compares our decisions made with our Head versus those made with our Gut, referring to our ability to use critical thinking versus our tendency to use our instinctual mind. Critical thinking would tell me that flying is safer than driving. After 9/11 my instinctual mind told me that planes are dangerous.

The book covers the evolutionary psychological concepts of Confirmation bias ( I see what I already believe), the Law of Similarity (appearance equals reality), the Anchoring and adjustment heuristic (influenced by what I just heard), the Rule of Typical things (things that usually go together always go together), and the Example Rule (a story is more powerful than statistical data). Each of these is explored in entertaining detail and backed up by academic research.

The main focus of the book is that our emotions often overrule our critical thinking skills. We are convinced through anecdote, stories we recently heard, stray statistical information that is incorrect and incorrectly cited, how we feel about events, and our life experience. We see something on talk TV and are convinced that it is true. Many people around us are sure of their information and we are swayed by their conviction. We are told by some commercial that we are at risk from strangers, dangers, disease and drugs and we change our buying habits. We hear that 600 people die in the US every year from something and we demand new laws.

How dangerous is the world? Gardner would argue not as dangerous as we have convinced ourselves. Our very complex brains still respond to danger they way our evolutionary ancestors did, listen to the herd and run, or fight, if there is something we do not understand. Gardner’s suggestion? Focus on what we have to be grateful for.

This is a great read. I recommend it to anyone interested in brain research, human behavior, human cognition, and group behavior. It is fun, well balanced and well supported.

Book Review of Nudge by Thaler and Sunstein

2009-08-20T19:53:00.001-07:00

I really wanted to love this book. It is a best seller and is written about a topic I love. However, even though I found the book informative, it seemed to go on forever. Perhaps my focus on psychology made me a bit less satisfied with this book which seemed to focus on a political agenda. The authors talk about "libertarian paternalism" as a way of nudging people towards good decisions around food, money, safety, and other issues.

The research is good. Humans are easily nudged, and I must agree that helping people make good choices is a good thing. There is a bit of a big-brother under-tone that disturbed me. Do I want to be nudged in the direction that a libertarian feels is best for me? Of course the other option is to nudged in the direction the media or product manufacturer chooses.

The psychology is solid. Given a set of standard options we humans will usually choose the standard options given. Advertise junk food and we will probably buy more junk food than fruit. Put good choices in easy reach and we will probably choose them. I can see how this might help me make good 401K choices or food choice or health care choices. Clearly numbing people with too many choices, such as Medicare D prescription plans, is not effective. Less options usually do make us happier in the end.

Here are my issues with the book. After the first chapter or two, I found nothing new. Same theory applied to different subject areas. There did seem to be this selling of the libertarian paternalism point of view. The book bogged down and I found that I wanted to skip ahead to get through each chapter.

There are some good points in the book and it is worth a quick read. The general psychological statements about humans are true and good to know. People wanting to design a world that is safer and provides easier choices will find a great deal of advice. Students of psychology and marketing will find some good advice too

Predictably Irrational

2009-08-15T20:41:00.000-07:00

Dan Ariely has hit a perfect tone in presenting solid research to a wide audience. Predictably Irrational is a fun read, and at the same time a book I would use in a graduate psychology course. On one level this books helps us understand our own, at times, irrational choices, as well as the odd choices made by people around us. After reading this I found that I was able to slow some of my reactions, such as a response to something that is "free." There are also, however, deeper application levels of this book. How we present things effects decisions people make, which means that marketing can powerfully influence our choices as well as some of our moral decisions. In this light I found the book insightful about the power of minor suggestion to change an outcome. Anyone involved in human research will be interested in these findings. Anyone involved in leadership would also benefit from this book, as would any life coach working with people on financial decisions. The book challenges our assumptions about supply and demand, the cost of "free", the power of social norms, the influence of arousal, the price of ownership, our ability to let a "door close" behind us, the effect of expectations and a great deal about lying and truth telling. The book is enjoyable to read, well researched and documented. I recommend this book to anyone interested in how they personally make decisions, how other people make seemingly irrational decisions (think Wall Street), as well as anyone interested in social psychology or economic psychology.

Book Review

2009-08-13T09:14:00.000-07:00

I just finished reading Not Everyone Gets a Trophy

This is one of the best books on the topic of Gen Y that I have read. Bruce Tulgan steps away from the usual assumptions about this young generation, preferring instead to address unique aspects as possible strengths. He does not recommend that established notion of "praise them" but argues that respectfully teaching them about the real world is much more effective. Tulgan also covers, in great detail management/leadership and techniques to help guide Gen Y's at work. Many of the suggestions are great for any new employee of any age, but clearly are focused on the needs of Gen Y.

The topics include general descriptors of the generation, ways to bound with them, ways to train them and bring them up to speed at work, getting them to care about customer service, teaching and retaining them, and finally how to turn Gen Y's into leaders. Tulgan does point out that this is a high maintenance generation, but also points out their strengths. They will bring work/life balance to the workplace. They live diversity and equity. They want to learn and do a good job. They want to innovate and bring creative ideas to the table. In other words, they want to be an asset to their employer if they are treated well. This is a useful and applicable book that any manager should read.

I love this blog!

2009-08-12T11:42:00.000-07:00

Check out this blog by the author of "Ignore Everybody and 39 other keys to creativity.
Funny and inspiring at the same time.

2009-08-07T13:15:00.001-07:00

In rough time as in good times, everyone needs somthing to believe in. When we are fully alive we live up to this need, we are the leader people can believe in.

2009-08-06T11:22:00.001-07:00

To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly. Henri Bergson

2009-08-05T06:40:00.001-07:00

Great spirits have always faced violent opposition from mediocre minds....Albert Einstein.

2009-08-04T13:00:00.001-07:00

Do not ask your lone wolf soul to run with a pack.Do no look at your uniqueness as a weakness. Challenge those assumptions and define your individuality as your strength. Rember, the lone wolf runs best alone.

There is always a way

2009-08-03T09:40:00.001-07:00

I’ve been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet, a pawn and a queen. I’ve been up and down and over and out,but there is always a way to build the life I want. There is always a way to stand back up and get back on deck, trim the sails and head tack with the wind. The only way to lose is to give up when my ship is in irons.
Pirate wisdom says there is always a way.....

2009-07-28T19:00:00.001-07:00

What is important in life? Simple things. Humor. Time with friends. Giving and service to others. Working hard in something you enjoy.

Why are these such difficult concepts to put into practice? Some of us are swept up our perception of how life should be lived. Some of us are susceptible to the image of the "great life" that we are supposed to create. Some of us are sure there is a secret to building great wealth which will finally make us happy. Just make enough money and buy enough stuff and lose enough weight and somehow magically happiness will follow.

All these myths are illusions that distract us from living the life that will make us happy....one full of everyday richness.

The first rule of being a pirate is to remember the ultimate goal...living a good live on the open seas.

2009-07-27T21:12:00.001-07:00

There are more ways to build an NJO than you might think. Webinars, books, consulting, coaching, teaching, talks.....let me count the ways.

2009-07-27T09:47:00.001-07:00

Dream the future. Walk in your truth. Believe in yourself. Live in the present. Embrace your fears. Live your passions well. Follow your deepest desires. Take risks and have adventures. Laugh and pray at sunrise. Say thank you at sunset. Howl at the moon...just for fun.

NJO next steps

2009-07-26T20:39:00.000-07:00

The next step in establishing my no-job option (NJO) is to create income streams from my strengths, things I do naturally without effort. I am a natural teacher, but a bit over the syllabus and grading routine. I am a great coach and would like to take this to the next step. So, the next step is to find an online method to deliver workshops and private coaching sessions on executive and life coaching. This will allow me to reach a larger audience on how to pirate one's life.

How does anyone do this? Start with your strengths, with and things you are good at and do not consider work. How would you like to deliver this? In person, online, oversees, to children. There are numerous options. Now look for the many ways that you can connect the what with the how.

2009-07-25T20:32:00.001-07:00

Your shadow reflects your true self and is the gateway to your deepest fears. Embrace your shadow as your ally and walk through the gateway of your fears. Your fears can guide you to your greatest strengths.

2009-07-22T21:27:00.001-07:00

I learned years ago that no one can pay me enough to live with sandpaper on my soul. If I cannot leave a job yet, I can prepare for change.

2009-07-18T08:05:00.001-07:00

If your job is making you sick it is time to rethink what your life is about. Even in interesting times there are options. Even when it seems that there is no way for you to improve your life, there are options.

Start by remembering that we always can choose how we interpret or respond to an event. Security comes from the inside, from the way we approach a problem, not from a pay check. Yes, we need to have enough to pay bills and live, but we can choose how we respond to the situation and that is our inner security.

When I am upset at work I remind myself that my job is really to come in, focus on my work, smile, be nice, and then to go home to my real life. When work consumes me it means that I have walked away from my real life, my inner spiritual life.

When I remember that my emotions are there to guide me and that my life is about my choices, I am able to pirate my life well.

NJO

2009-07-14T12:32:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking more and more about the NJO, or no job option. Most of my time is spent helping students plan for the future, which includes career advice. Recently I am hearing about how they feel trapped in jobs that are making them sick because of the economy. I tell them that our minds our never trapped. We can choose the freedom of thinking differently, approaching something differently, and trying something differently. We can choose to be happy.

This might mean treating a job more like a job and less like the focus of life. This might mean starting to build other income streams so that we are prepared for capricious shifts in the economy or our jobs. This could also mean finally pursing something we love, even just as a hobby, so that new doors can open for us.

Pirates know that there is always a way...maybe not the tried and true, predictable, expected way, or the way we were taught....but there is always a way.

2009-07-14T06:13:00.001-07:00

Everything can be taken from us but one thing, the last of the human freedoms:to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances. VF

2009-07-13T21:01:00.001-07:00

Pirates were the corporate innovators of their time. The song of the sea and the wind taught them how to live in the moment of destiny.

2009-07-12T09:51:00.001-07:00

Small positive actions taken on a regular basis are more effective than any intentions. Actually donating one cent daily can be powerful.

2009-07-09T06:51:00.001-07:00

Two days sailing in lake Dillon reminds how important listening is. We sail by listening and feeling the wind and waves, not by thinking.

2009-07-06T19:58:00.001-07:00

A recession proof career for the future: transition specialist. A project manager helping people move to next stage of life such as seniors.

2009-06-25T08:59:00.001-07:00

This is a great article about changing the way we look at careers:
http://ping.fm/cZrSe

NJO continued

2009-06-25T08:58:00.001-07:00

This is a great article about changing the way we look at careers:
http://www.higheredjobs.com/Articles/ArticleDisplay.cfm?ID=105

2009-06-24T12:32:00.001-07:00

New idea for the future is to create an NJO...a No Job Option. Living large and fully and bringing in money. Working on details. Check back.

2009-06-21T07:42:00.001-07:00

Watched a great play last night and was caught by a single line: "We are all spiritual Hypochondriacs." Maybe that is what realy drives us.

2009-05-25T21:29:00.000-07:00

Flying over LA I noticed the many neighborhoods set up in straight lines like rows of corn. We flew over a newer area and the streets were curved and winding like rivers. The environment teaches how to act and who we are. Do the old streets tell us to stand up and act right, while the newer neighborhoods ask us to flow?

2009-05-21T16:24:00.001-07:00

The brains design needs new input to remain flexible, but often reacts with fear. But we can teach ourselves to react in different ways.

2009-05-17T21:42:00.001-07:00

Hire persistant people rather than hunting for talent. Build a culture of innovation for them to work in. Persistance will out shine talent.

2009-05-17T15:14:00.001-07:00

Read the book "The Drunkard's Walk" about randomness. It will make you stop and think before design policy around trend data.

2009-05-09T22:10:00.001-07:00

Thankful for a wonderful Shabbat back in Colorado, but dreaming of a the ocean. Time for sailing away again. A pirate at heart.

2009-05-02T18:09:00.001-07:00

Thanks to everyone for your support over the last few years. Ric's graduation was a great success, His art, wonderful and the party fun.

2009-04-26T09:20:00.001-07:00

Just posted pictures of Ric's graduate show on facebook. All work inspired by the trip to Israel. Graduation in less than a week! Celebrate.

2009-04-08T22:04:00.001-07:00

Feeling blessed on the first night of Passover, following the Birkat HaChama this morning, that my Mother is healing and feeling better.

2009-04-01T12:45:00.001-07:00

Getting ready to fly to LA to take care of my Mom, which leaves the puppy, hubby and niece alone in the house, oh my.

Fear

2009-03-25T18:32:00.001-07:00

Sometimes ancient words are helpful in our current world. Rebbe Nachman of Breslve taught that the whole world is a very narrow bridge, but the main thing is not to be afraid. So much the is wrong right now is due to our fear. We are afraid of losing jobs and money and stuff. We are afraid that we have made bad choices or not enough choices or too many choices. We are afraid that our future is in the hands and whims of others.

It is true that we are not the conductor or in charge of the world. It is true, however, that our brains evolved to deal with change and variety. Fear keeps us from believing that we can adapt to change. Fear keeps us from using our strengths. Fear keeps us spiraling downward.

The most important thing is to not be afraid.

2009-03-24T11:13:00.001-07:00

Trying out a new service from Ping.fm that links all my networks. Hmm, I feel like a GenY

Destiny

2009-03-23T20:05:00.000-07:00

The word destiny is a sailor's term; it has to do with aligning your ship with nothing earthbound, with pointing yourself in the direction of the starts. pirates know that every moment is rich with information sent by destiny to guide them, and they steer by nonphysical markers. Pirates see the world as miraculous rather than threatening, serendipitous rather than capricious. This perspective keeps them from letting the part of them that is afraid make their decisions. Pirates never let their fears steer the ship. Rather than resisting what life brings them, pirates are astonished by nothing and find wonder in everything.

Open to the world

2009-02-17T10:12:00.000-08:00

Over the past few months I have had more and more synchronistic events in my life. It seems that that more I believe that the world will open up for me, and the more I open myself up to experience the unfolding of my journey, the more the world opens up around me.
Maybe that is what made Pirates so successful. They knew they could not control the wind or the sea; they could only respond by adjusting the sails and the rudder. They could focus on their final destination, but had to let many of the daily details unfold in front of them. They had to be open to opportunities that appeared on the horizon, and be willing to change tack on their journey.
It seems like a partnership. If I am willing to really show up for my life, be present and aware, bring my best self forward, then I have done my part. Life unfolds in front of me because I am ready and open.
As a pirate I need to sail the ship well, but I do not need to plan every adventure.

Pirating your life

2009-01-06T20:00:00.000-08:00

All we hear about is the economy and how bad things are. Maybe the end of days is coming. More fear. What if we realized that this is just another roadside attraction distracting us from following our dreams?
If I make my decisions based on what people around me fear, I am never following my inner guide, my personal beliefs, or my dreams. I see students who major in business when they love art, or go into nursing when they want to be a medical researcher. They are listening to the people around them who say "do something safe."
We cannot live life fully when we make choices based on the fears that surround us.
We can only be a pirate in our life when we are willing to sail away from the known shore into unknown seas.

Stop believing the fear Mongers

2009-01-05T14:09:00.000-08:00

I was watching yet another end of the world show last night based on ancient the Mayan calendar and Nostradomus. None of this is actually based on science or reality, only our interpretations as we look for something else to be afraid of. Or pehaps a way to justify our religious beliefs or actions. All of it is about living a life based on fear, full of problems we cannot solve and sign that all is lost.

Again, I wonder about Pirates, people who did not live in fear, but lived fully in the moment. They were not afraid to sail out to sea, or weather a rough storm. Most of them had very lttle, but were willing to share what they had. Pirates believed in sharing the wealth equally, and providing for disabled pirates. They had very little, but appreciated it a great deal. I saw the same thing in Israel, people who do not have much, but feel rich.

We in America, however, so often are afraid to share what we have, donate part of what we have, or be content with what we have. We have so much, appreciate it so little, and live in fear of losing what we have.

Israel and Innovation

2009-01-01T20:19:00.000-08:00

When I went to Israel to study innovation, I found something interesting. Yes, there is a focus on education and learning that helps. I expected that. There was also a story telling tradition, as well as great diversity that brings different ideas together. I expected to find a sense of courage, or perhaps chutzpah, and I did. All of these elements push people to move into new areas and create new possibilities.

However it was the element of hope that pulled it all together. Hope was everywhere. There was art at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust museum. There were messages of hope at the Diaspora museum. Everywhere we went we heard people talking about the future in positive ways. We heard people talking about building for their children, or following their faith to heal the world.
It is this power of hope that ties all the other elements together.

2008-12-31T22:03:00.000-08:00

I just came back from Israel where I was studying innovation. I discovered a land of pirates. The lines on the roads are merely suggestions. All rules aer open for negotiation. And they believe they can do anything. Amazingly, they accomplish the most amazing things. This land of paradox is full of new technology in the middle of ancient cities.

When I asked people about innovation, two elements seem to drive it. One, the common element of the army and the need to protect Israel. This is accompanied with an amazing hope for the future. Hope for a peaceful future, hope for solving problems and building a safe land.

I came back inspired.
Inspired spiritually and artistically. Inspired to make a difference in this world.
Inspired to have even more piratical adventures.

Courage and Pirates

2008-08-05T18:57:00.000-07:00

Innovation lies in the hands of the courageous and the "risk hardy."

Innovation takes place when we try new things

in new ways

from new points of view.

The pirates had to have the courage to face

wild seas

well armed armadas

and capricious winds.

How do we find the courage to leave the known shore

to explore the open seas and discover new lands?

We prepare ourselves to be risk hardy.

One way to do this is to say yes to new opportunities and to

try something new on a regular basis.

In every company listed as highly innovative there is an element of courage in the company. In fact, courage is part of the culture. Leadership style supports courage by allowing people to fail.

After all, not all adventures turn out correctly the first time we venture out.

But we have to venture out if we are ever going to succeed.

So, my pirate friend, how do you become more courageous?

Pirate Language of Innovation

2008-06-27T18:40:00.000-07:00

So, back to the idea of Pirates as innovators. As I said there are five language aspects that relate to innovation. This first one is the language of Curiosity. Pirates would never have survived, never have created a new way to be in the world with the desire to explore the world. Curiosity is just that, a desire to explore, to find out, to examine and test. It is this drive that pushes Pirates to leave the known world behind and to go where the map is marked "There be monsters here."

Curiosity pushes Pirates, leaders, explorers, innovators and learners to sail away from the shore into the open ocean in order to find new possibilities. Listen to the language of an innovative Pirate, listen for the hints of curiosity. Does she wonder about life? Does she ask how and why? Does she eschew the familiar path for, perfering to blaze a new trail? Does the routine leave her bored?

How do you find an innovator? Listen for the language of curiosity. This will be the first hint.
Next...courage.

Pirate humor

2008-05-20T12:50:00.000-07:00

Remeber, laughter is important. We learn better when we laugh. Our lives seem better when we laugh. We are healthier when we laugh. Keep the humor alive on your ship!

Start with this joke:

A pirate walked into a bar and the bartender said, "Hey, I haven`t seen you in a while. What happened? You look terrible!"
"What do you mean? I`m fine."
"What about that wooden leg? You didn`t have that before."
"Well," said the pirate, "we were in a battle at sea and a cannon ball hit my leg, but the Doc fixed me up, and I`m fine, really."
"Oh yeah? Well, what about that hook? The last time I saw you, youhad both hands."
"We were in another battle and we boarded the enemy ship. I was in a sword fight and my hand was cut off, but the Doc fixed me up with the hook, and I feel great, really."
"Oh," said the bartender, "and what about that eye patch? The last time you were in here, you had both eyes."
"One day when we were at sea some birds were flying over the ship. I looked up and one of them shit in my eye."
"You`re kidding," said the bartender, "you couldn`t have lost an eye just from some bird shit."
"It was my first day with the hook."

Pirate language of innovation

2008-05-04T18:13:00.000-07:00

As I have said, pirates were the innovators of the sea. They used five distinct elements of innovation in their language and actions.

Curiosity
Courage
Cross-roads
Commitment
Chronicle

I will talk about each of these in an individual entry, but will start with pointing out the power of how we talk. Our words create the world we live in. Our words create and determine the flavor and power of our relationships. Or words tell the world who we are, what we want, and what we are willing and able to do.

So it is no surprise that organizations and groups and individuals who are innovative use a similar language; a language that displays the five elements presented above. Innovators have to be curious about the world around them. They have to be "risk-harder" and courageous. They need to see the connections between and across disciplines, they need to have clear intention and integrity. And finally, they have to be great story tellers.

More to come. Meanwhile, drink a bit a grog and watch that sunset on the horizon.

Pirate Creativity

2008-04-17T18:29:00.000-07:00

Pirates are by nature creative. Without creativity Pirates would be unable to build a new way around old rules.

This creativity spreads into the arts too. Most pirates played an instrument, or wove nets, or tied macrame, or carved wood or bone. Finding the artistic part of you can help you find your way through wild waters.

What is your hidden talent? Do you knit or tie dye shirts, or paint scarfs or play the flute? Do you raise plants or puppies? Do you dance in the kitchen or sing in the shower?

Trust me, you have a talent.

Use it.

Develop it.

Creative pursuits help your brain develop new neural pathways.

New pathways in your brain lead to new pathways in your life.

New pathways lead to new adventures

which build new neural pathways.

Take out your finger paints and go for it.

Paint your walls and halls.

Decorate the ship and the sails.

Create a new adventure.

Pirate Pearls continue

2008-03-13T18:48:00.000-07:00

What does it take to be a great pirate, besides a wild outfit and good rum?

Well, Curiosity helps. Wondering what is around the next bend, wondering if there are ways to sail better or build a better boat, or wondering "what if?" are all powerful questions.

Charisma helps. This is more about the audience then about you. Do your crew believe in you? Do they trust you? will they follow you? Then you have charisma.

And...be a great problem solver. Meaning be innovative. Invite suggestions. Be adaptive AND have a plan.

A pirate's ability to lead comes from a crew's willingness to follow.
Be the leader they believe you can be.

Slides from Innovation playing in backward order...

2008-03-05T15:57:00.000-08:00