From Chapter 13 “Efficiency” in Ingredients of Outliers. A Better Way Let’s take a closer look at exactly what we mean by “efficiency,” which is sometimes confused with the word “effectiveness.” Both words are used frequently in the management literature, and some dictionaries even show each as a synonym of the other. In fact, they have separate meanings. Probably the most succinct statement about their difference came from the late Peter Drucker, the best known and most respected management consultant, educator and author of the twentieth century. Here’s what he said: “Efficiency is … [Read more...]
Imperturbability- Staying Calm
From Chapter 6, "Imperturbability- Staying Calm" in Ingredients of Outliers In this age of technology and instant everything, which arrived with visions and promises of greater efficiency and effectiveness, we were assured that by now we’d be enjoying lives of greater leisure and pleasure than ever before. Instead, stress levels are sky- high as we collectively bemoan the gloom and doom that awaits our children and grandchildren. Do you know anyone who hasn’t stated, “Oh, my Gosh, I am so stressed!”? It seems as though Uncle Sam, the once tall and proud symbol of our nation, has … [Read more...]
Hero of the Hudson
From Chapter 4: "Preparation: When the Wind Blows" in Ingredients of Outliers Hero of the Hudson Almost certainly, you’re familiar with the story of an actual aircraft emergency which happened on January 15, 2009 and made headlines around the world. An early afternoon flight under the command of Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and it had just left New York’s LaGuardia Airport bound for Charlotte, North Carolina when it experienced an emergency which put the lives of the crew and its 150 passengers in immediate and serious danger. Climbing 3,000 feet with copilot … [Read more...]
Mastering the Art of Nonverbal Communication – S.O.L.E.R.
Photo by Ben Duchac on unsplash.com Communication occurs in many ways and across endless mediums. Technology has ushered in the ultra-connected era. But are we closer to loved ones? And are we more effective in business? Rapid-fire global email discourse, video calls between out-of-state loved ones, and text messages between classmates like passing notes have all enabled us to share more. They could hardly be a bad thing, right? But with the explosion of personal tech devices and virtual social platforms, we are more distracted than ever by the buzz and glow of our screens. I don’t … [Read more...]