Why Edison Was Wrong
Researchers often throw around the Edison quote, “I have not failed 700 times. I have not failed once. I have succeeded in proving that those 700 ways will not work. When I have eliminated the ways that will not work, I will find the way that will work.” Researchers use this quote because it “validates” […]
How Losing Personal Attachments Can Help You Realize Ambition
My friend Susanne and I were recently playing a trivia game, a game in which she excels. However, at one point, she got a couple wrong answers in row. “Urgh,” she blurted out, “every time I have a gut answer and change it, it was actually correct.” This made me curious. Malcolm Gladwell, in the […]
How to Be Selfless by Being Self-Centered
I travel the world extensively. And during these jaunts, I am always interested to hear of the differing points of view held by others about American culture. One commonly-held perception is that Americans are self-centered, believing that they are the center of the universe. There is some truth to this perspective. On the whole, American […]
How To Create Luck In Business And In Life
I know St. Patrick’s Day has passed, but it got me thinking about the concept of luck. Have you ever met people who are consistently lucky? It is as if they are always in the right place at the right time. Meanwhile, you feel as though the cards of fate have dealt you a bum […]
15 Minute Speech in Spain
Last week I spoke at the launch of the Navarra Factori, an innovation center near Pamplona, Spain. This government backed initiative is designed to help stimulate creativity and innovation in the region. I was the keynote for the opening. They asked me to speak about how creative ideas don’t necessarily come from within the four walls […]
Before You Can Multiply You Must First Learn To Divide
Not too long ago, I was having a conversation with an event organizer about his revenue model. He told me that he hires speakers, paying them a flat fee for their time, and then launches an aggressive marketing campaign to put butts in seats. He also told me that most of his events lose money. […]
See Me In Action in Cambridge Apr 7
It is not often that I do events that are open to the public. So I am thrilled to be partnering with The Big Studio to bring you a special Personality Poker session. There is no cost to you. In fact, the first 50 people who register will get a copy of my Personality Poker […]
The Key to Overcoming Roadblocks: Innovation
In Wisconsin, the Republicans wanted to eliminate the collective bargaining rights of most public employees as a way of cutting the budget. This was hotly contested by the Democrats to the point where all 14 Democratic senators left the state, refusing to vote. They did this knowing that at least 20 senators needed to be […]
Is It OK to Marry Your Work (part 2)
Last week I wrote an article for American Express about “marrying your work.” Unlike the “ball and chain” picture that tends to pop into our heads, I espoused the merits of loving your job, just like you would marry a spouse you love. Be sure to read that article before reading on. I’ll wait. […]
Is It OK To Marry Your Work? (part 1)
I was talking to a Thai friend of mine recently, someone who knows that I work a lot. She also knows that I love what I do. She said I am, “Thang kub ngaan.” This literally means “marry with work/job.” We sometimes jokingly say that we are married to our job, but we tend to […]