It's exciting, isn't it, when we stumble across crumpled notes that have been lodged in our wallet for years ... to discover timeless gems that we may have forgotten? I've earlier reported on the piece of paper carried in the wallet of John Wooden, famed UCLA basketball coach, which bore…
Recently, I wrote, 7 Swing Thoughts to Overcome Adversity, inspired by Dustin Johnson's heartbreak at the recent PGA Championship. It was a controversial call except among golf purists but it resulted in a terrible calamity for the young golfer.Yet, Johnson has shown remarkable aplomb and resilience in the face of…
The recent 92nd PGA championship ended tragically for Dustin Johnson based on a questionable and controversial call. What virtually every observer, from fans to PGA champions, saw as a sandy area of the rough outside of the ropes was declared by rules officials as a sand trap even though spectators were standing in it. Under the rules of golf, that resulted in a two-stroke penalty because a player can’t ground his club in the sand. It cost him a chance to participate in a three-hole playoff for the trophy in one of golf’s four major championships.
It was heart-breaking to watch and even brought a roar of disapproval from the usually reticent golf crowd. For most casual observers, it’s a distinction without a difference … but in the rules-driven PGA tour, it was a judgment call without heart or soul. Mr. Johnson’s disappointment now competes with Armando Galaragga’s recent loss of a perfect game in baseball.
What do we do when we suffer a major disappointment, e.g., the loss of a major client we served so well or the departure of a valued employee to whom we thought we had extended every opportunity? (more…)
A recent NY Times interview with Dan Rosensweig, CEO of Chegg, a firm that rents textbooks online and by mail, prompted me about the power of the entrepreneurial spirit. We're not reminded often enough about the inspirational force of asking what needs to be done ... rather than thinking about all…
The flood of public embarrassments and public floggings never seems to end. Two of my most recent columns, Get it Right the First Time and The Keys to an Apology, summarize BPs woeful public gaffes, the transcendence of umpire Jim Joyce 'actions following an almost perfect baseball game ... and…
I'm a big believer in the Ritz Carlton's program of providing a $2,000 allowance to empower their employees to enhance the "Guest Experience" ... and I think it's noteworthy that the Cadillac division of General Motors is applying this concept to strengthen their relationship with potential Cadillac customers. It's not…
The simplest things in life are free ... and sometimes, it's the simple things that make so much sense. Here is the simple creed that John Wooden, famed UCLA basketball coach whose winning record is unlikely to ever be surpassed, received from his father and carried in his wallet throughout…
Once in awhile, it’s nice to see your advice echoed in the halls from someone like Warren Buffett. Since my early investment and venture capital days, I have promoted the concept of a simple “terms sheet” to set down the deal terms between the companies involved, making sure that the businessmen understand the business issues first.
Your attorneys serve an valuable role but it’s invaluable for both sides to be very clear about the business objectives (more…)
Many of you have seen articles about this general theme recently – in part a function of "The No A**hole Rule" published last year by Dr. Robert Sutton of Stanford University. Lars Dalgaard, President of Success Factors, a company with whom I have an affiliate relationship, spoke recently about his…