Your Freakish Compass

That two-second feeling: Trizle on what your gut tells you.

Best of the Leadership Blogs

Kevin Eickenberry's Best of the Leadership Blogs Contest is now accepting votes.

I learned about this on Wally Bock's Three Star Leadership blog, which should have made the list.

Miscellaneous and Fast

A Canadian court has found that a parental restriction of a 12 year-old's Internet usage is too harsh. [HT: First Things]

They're back! Daniel Flynn on a reunion of Sixties radicals.

Business Week reports Starbucks may be cutting stores here but it's looking to expand abroad.


Jeff Jarvis wonders if Google is psychoanalyzing his posts.

Michael Barone on why vice presidents are important for governing.

Movies on demand: Cool Tools looks at Roku and Netflix.

WaiterRant looks at an evening when the staff wanted to leave early and....

Ralph Nader believes there should be a Bill of Rights for American sports fans.

10 Terrible Strategies for Office Politics

1. Think only of your turf and demand that your employees do the same.


2. Have an enemies list and withhold information and cooperation from its members.


3. When you win a point, make sure that everyone knows you did.


4. After defeating an adversary, find a way to twist the knife.


5. Let sarcasm and ridicule be your main forms of communication.


6. Burn bridges.


7. Never forget a slight.


8. Believe that one moment of courtesy or kindness will erase twenty instances of rudeness or cruelty.


9. Kiss up and kick down.


10. Associate with people who share your attitudes.

Quote of the Day

He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.

- Benjamin Franklin

The Human Factor

Writing in Business Week, Dov Seidman looks at the significance of human connections. An excerpt:

Consider Ralph, a New York City doughnut maker, who captured the attention of blogger Jason Kottke. When Kottke handed a dollar bill to Ralph in exchange for a 75¢ glazed donut, Ralph pointed to a pile of change scattered on the counter and yelled "Next!" Kottke downed his doughnut while marveling that all of the customers who followed him either gave Ralph exact change or made their own change, as he had done. It seemed to Kottke that Ralph was serving an extraordinary number of customers. Kottke confirmed his hunch by visiting other doughnut vendors nearby. On average, the competitors spent twice as much time with each customer—and served half as many.

Who's Your Client?

Speaking of Seth Godin, check out his take on the statesman, the lawyer, and the marketer.

Curiosity

A short video by Nick Askew of Seth Godin discussing curiosity.

Fuel Economy

If you're thinking of switching to a smaller car, this U.S. Department of Energy site has some very helpful information. [The feature that permits you to compare models is especially interesting.]

The Vanishing Europeans

Must reading: Russell Shorto's article in The New York Times on what's happening in Europe. An excerpt:

For the first time on record, birthrates in southern and Eastern Europe had dropped below 1.3. For the demographers, this number had a special mathematical portent. At that rate, a country’s population would be cut in half in 45 years, creating a falling-off-a-cliff effect from which it would be nearly impossible to recover. Kohler and his colleagues invented an ominous new term for the phenomenon: “lowest-low fertility.”

Time Killers

• Television: Multiple channels of mind-numbing trash. Turn it off and read a book.
• The Internet: Now the world is a playground...or a bad neighborhood.
• People who won't get to the point: Please give me the third paragraph first.
• Automated telephone systems that force you to listen to seven options before - perhaps - letting you talk to a real person: An added insult is when the gaps are filled with recorded messages about customer service.
• Most weekly staff meetings: The best ones last 10 minutes max.
• Sunday political talk shows: Okay, you're not in church but do you deserve this hell?
• State of the Union addresses: Let's go back to the days when it was a written report.
• The opposing party's response to the State of the Union: Sequels are seldom as good as the original.
• PowerPoint presentations: Spare me the thirty slides. Very few of these extravaganzas are superior to a knowledgeable presenter and a flip chart or overhead projector.
• Cell phones: Are most of those calls truly necessary? Let's try better thinking through inaccessibility.

Oil Psychology

Writing in The New Yorker, James Surowiecki on the price of oil:


But there’s also something else at work, which the oil guru Daniel Yergin calls a “shortage psychology.” The price of oil—more than that of many other commodities—isn’t based solely on current supply and demand. It’s also based on people’s expectations about future supply and demand, because those expectations determine whether it makes sense for oil producers to sell their oil now or leave it in the ground and sell it later. Currently, the market is assuming that oil will become scarcer, and that global demand will keep rising, especially in rapidly developing countries like China and India. As a result, producers are asking very high prices to pump their oil. Now, it could be that these assumptions are all wrong—that the supply of oil will not be constricted going forward, that concerns about the Middle East are exaggerated, and that higher prices will lead people to cut back on energy consumption, shrinking demand. In that case, oil would turn out to have been hugely overpriced. But that won’t be because of sinister speculators; it will be because oil producers and oil users collectively misread the future.

Quote of the Day

Words without actions are the assassins of idealism.

- Herbert Hoover

I Want My GTO

Jalopnik has the top 10 car commercials of the 1960s.

[HT: Adfreak ]

Oh No!

Starbucks is closing 600 underperforming stores in the United States.

In a related story: Branch offices for management consultants are about to suffer a severe drop.

[[HT: Drudge Report ]

Mes Amis

Traveling in Europe, Charles Murray has found the real soul mates to Americans:

We complain that the French are infuriatingly certain of the superiority of things French. True--and it is a kind of pride that is rare in today's Europe. A few years ago I published a book called Human Accomplishment that was largely a paean to the brilliance of the European legacy. When I lectured on the book before European audiences, I discovered that my listeners did not enjoy hearing me recite their story; but were embarrassed. They had bought into the notion that Western civilization--i.e., European civilization--has been a source of evil rather than a font of the greatest achievements in human history. I have never given that lecture in France, but I bet you wouldn't catch a French audience reacting that way (except, perhaps, for an audience of intellectuals). The French are just as chauvinistically proud of their artists, scientists, and inventors as the stereotype has it. And as the stereotype of Americans has us.

Your "What Can Go Wrong" List

When compiling your What Can Go Wrong list for a project, don't forget the following:

1. It is assumed that the current project will closely resemble an earlier similar project.
2. The deadlines have not been clearly established.
3. The deadlines are unreasonable and/or unrealistic.
4. The amount of time for the project has been underestimated.
5. The team is burdened with unnecessary work.
6. The wrong people are on the team.
7. The right people are assigned but their responsibilities are unclear.
8. The workers are tackling their tasks individually when it would be more efficient for them to work as a group.
9. There is a continuing lack of communication among the team members.
10. At least one important team member feels left out.
11. The team lacks a clearly defined goal.
12. The team does not want to achieve the goal.
13. There are two or more goals and they are conflicting.
14. There are insufficient resources.
15. There is interference from an internal or external party.
16. A key decision was influenced by GroupThink.
17. Implementation is dependent upon the cooperation of hostile parties.
18. The team will soon be exhausted and there are insufficient substitutes.
19. The team has ego problems.
20. The competition has been underestimated.
21. The team feels unappreciated.
22. Team members need training.
23. Priorities are unclear.
24. The plan of implementation lacks flexibility.
25. Assumptions behind the plan are wrong.
26. Analysis has been unduly influenced by a charismatic team member.
27. The numbers don't make sense.
28. There is insufficient planning for the transition between various stages of the plan.
29. Turf wars will arise.
30. The plan contains incompatible elements.
31. Key members agree on the elements but not on the general philosophy.
32. Maintenance and support are neglected.
33. Quality review checkpoints are absent.
34. Incompetence is tolerated.
35. Decision making is too centralized.
36. Decision making is too collegial.
37. Decision making is too autocratic.
38. Key information is not being shared with the proper parties.
39. Key members will leave.
40. There is a lack of commitment.

Walking History

An activity that brings joy even from afar: a walking 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. tour of Lower Manhattan Revolutionary War sites. From The Wall Street Journal:

You wouldn't believe the number of participants who tell me that 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. is perfect for them because that is the only time they have nothing else scheduled. More important, however, is the fact that Lower Manhattan's revolutionary past is more easily accessible at that time. With the city's sodium -vapor lamps, there are no problems seeing monuments and statues that are obscured by traffic and pedestrians during the day.

Quote of the Day

Have patience. All things are difficult before they become easy.

- Saadi

David's Airline

Writing in The New Yorker, David Owen outlines the rules for his airline. An excerpt:

As always, tipping back in your seat is fifty dollars, payable to the person sitting behind you, unless you are sitting in front of me, in which case the charge begins at a hundred dollars and my permission is required. Ask nicely, and if we can agree on a figure I will ask a flight attendant to unlock your seat.

Music Argument Break: Top 10 Rock Albums

Cultural Offering has given us a bold and thought-provoking list of the 10 greatest rock albums.

Some other contenders for consideration: Layla by Derek and the Dominos; Mr. Tambourine Man by The Byrds; and Stranger in Town by Bob Seger.

Not to mention the hard rock tunes of Wayne Newton.

21 Ways to Get Attention

1. Speak softly.


2. Show up early.


3. Think several steps ahead.


4. Refrain from frequent praise.


5. Don't tell others everything about yourself.


6. Don't complain.


7. Defend an underdog or a maverick.


8. Use few words.


9. Speak last.


10. Speak slowly.


11. Be reliable.


12. Avoid fads.


13. Be creative.


14. Emphasize ethics.


15. Avoid vulgarity.


16. Go out of your way to be thoughtful.


17. Remember names.


18. Listen carefully to others.


19. Read good books and listen to good music.


20. Neither impose nor hide your religion.


21. Be courageous.

Quote of the Day

Simplicity of character is the natural result of profound thought.

- Hazlett

Lessons from Foolishness

If I ever compile the lessons I've drawn from years of blunders, the multi-volumed work will include the following:

Beware of apples and oranges. False comparisons rest at the heart of most fallacious arguments. A great many of the examples assembled to support a point are not the same.

Do not underestimate the role of fatigue. Basic rule: when you are tired, you will make mistakes. Get some serious sleep.

Avoid vexatious people. This comes from a line in Desiderata and it is dead-on. The haters and trolls are not worth your time.

Slow down to appreciate the nature of your work and to enhance its quality. It is far more refreshing to be a craftsman than an assembly line worker.

Read a wide range of opinions and especially seek out those in disagreement with your beliefs. See if you can find something worthwhile in their reasoning.

Lower your expectations. If you expect others to be angels they will disappoint you. You should also have reasonable expectations for yourself.

Don't keep score as to who gets what. If you do, you'll frequently conclude that you were shortchanged.

Beware of what your job is doing to you. More people worry about what they eat in the morning than where they go in the morning. Consider whether your job is building you or destroying you.

Don't believe in magical solutions. We dream of elevators while trudging up stairs. We need to enjoy the climb, realize that we've arrived at the right floor, or move to another building.

The Good Old Days

The other day I was looking through Douglas D. Martin's chronology of Arizona history. Here are some of the events for 1884:

January 13: Black Canyon stage robbed near Gillett.
March 28: Five Bisbee bandits are hanged simultaneously at Tombstone from one gallows.
April 21: Black Canyon stage held up near Soap Springs.
June 1: Black Canyon stage held up and robbed.
October 18: Highwaymen rob travelers on Black Canyon road and hold up stage again.

Who says that travel hasn't improved around here?

Quote of the Day

It is not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about?

- Thoreau

Digs

Cool Tools has the details on the $50 and Up Underground House Book.

Only a Joke

It was only a joke. He'd quipped that a manager's personality couldn't trigger an electric door. Those who were present chuckled. The observation was, after all, true. That accuracy may caused the remark to circulate far beyond the initial group.

There is no evidence that the bland manager ever heard about witticism but some of the manager's friends did and, blandness aside, their buddy was pretty well liked so they made a mental note to return the favor some day.

It was a small example of how matters can get blown out of proportion. Knowing both men, I believe that if the bland manager had heard the comment, he would have laughed. He might not have appreciated the humor but he wouldn't have wanted it to affect the other guy's career. He also knows he's not in the running for any charisma awards.

Sometimes though the offended party is not the one who was targeted.

National Fans

The English striker Gary Lineker once said, "Football is a simple game; 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans win."

Read the rest of Matthew Kaminski on Europe's bloodsport.

Kindlemania

Guy Sorman explains why he loves his Kindle. An excerpt:

It so happens that I recently had to fly from New York to Seoul and back, in connection with the Korean release of one of my books (on paper, so far). What do you do on a 14-hour flight if you do not care for the mediocre movies that the airline offers? You read. But how many books can you pack in your carry-on luggage to keep you company on such an interminable journey? I ambitiously decided to read Gibbon’s Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, which some pessimists consider a timely rediscovery for those living in the U.S. You can guess what comes next: yes, I downloaded Gibbon in seconds on my Kindle—all eight volumes—for a modest sum. Would Korean Air have accepted Gibbon’s eight volumes as carry-on luggage? Doubtful: he’s too heavy. While I did not make it through all of Gibbon during the trip, I could browse his thick volumes on my Kindle screen. I could even take notes and mark pages.



He also cites some negatives. I have become a major Kindle fan and share his frustration that some authors are not available. [No Bellow?] Nonethless, it is an amazing device.

10 Ways You'll Erode Trust

My post on 10 ways you'll erode trust is up at the U.S. News & World Report "Outside Voices" page.

Quote of the Day

Go very light on vices such as carrying on in society. The social ramble ain't restful.


- Satchel Paige

Keeping the Dream

An ad campaign that captures the essence of being a Cubs fan.

Direct Action

One way to save part of the Everglades: buy it. Sort of a Nature Conservancy approach.

Lord Jim and Lost Honor

Here's a thought-provoking piece by Bret Stephens on an executive eluding trial by hiding in Namibia and some lessons that can be gleaned from Joseph Conrad.

Much to ponder there. A friend of mine once wondered how people could have known their fate and still stayed in the Alamo. The answer for many of them may have been that they knew something worst would have happened to them had they fled. Lord Jim's greatest flaw may have been his inability to forgive himself and yet one of his greatest virtues could be that he did not easily do so.

The Computer Meeting

I'm convinced that a conversation similar to the following took place at one time in the computer business:

"Okay, the design looks functional enough. The darned thing is even attractive, in a rather sterile way, but aren't you making it too simple?"

"Ah yes. We understand your concern, but turn it around and check out the back."

"It's a mass of wires going every which way."

"Exactly."

"The average user won't have any real idea as to which wire should go where. It looks like a fire hazard."

"We know. At one point a team member suggested color-coding and simplication. We fired him. He went to work for a rogue outfit in California."

'This is fantastic. It will keep our customers frustrated, confused, and in awe of our expertise. But what if they click for Help?"

"That's the real beauty of the process. Here, read one of our explanations."

"Let's see. Jargon. Unexplained abbreviations. Numbers. They won't be able to sort this out. The damned thing is like another language!"

"Some of us wanted to use Esperanto but we felt that might be too insulting. Instead, we've adopted a vocabulary that the average person won't possess. Any steps that might be logical to an outsider have been jettisoned."

"I take it that the Joe or Jane on the street has not been consulted?"

"Ah, there you are wrong. We did bring in some outsiders for a focus group, but only so we could retain the most confusing segments. That saved us from slipping into clarity."

"That's fantastic. What's next?"

"We charge them for technical support."

Quote of the Day

Management is 85% of the problem.

- W. Edwards Deming