Inc.com

Entrepreneurship / Freedom / Humor / Inc.com

The Declaration of Independence: The Best Entrepreneurial Document Ever?

My Inc.com piece today, "The Declaration of Independence: The Best Entrepreneurial Document Ever?", begins The Declaration of Independence: The Best Entrepreneurial Document Ever? Would you be happy for your venture to last a few years and make a few million? How about 240 years and 3 trillion dollars? Nobody pulled in Benjamins like Benjamin. Any entrepreneurÂ who has written a business plan knows the challenge. For one thing it has so many goals. Among others, a plan should: Describe the market need Describe a plan of what you're going to do Attract investment Attract a team Look good Be flexible Describe your competition I suggest the United States Declaration of Independence can claim to be the best entrepreneurial document in history, perhaps combined with the full…

July 1, 2016

Awareness / Fitness / Habits / Inc.com / Tips

Get to Know This Emotional Cycle: It Will Improve Your Life

My Inc.com article yesterday, "Get to Know This Emotional Cycle: It Will Improve Your Life" began Get to Know This Emotional Cycle: It Will Improve Your Life Healthy, active, productive activities are often hard to start. Learn this cycle to identify when to use your willpower to help. Yesterday was rowing day. It was also the first hot, humid, sticky day in New York City. I didn't feel like doing it. I could think of dozens of things I'd rather do. Unlike those guys in the picture, I row indoors on a machine. I stuck with my plan, though, with my usual trick: changing into my workout clothes, an easy action, knowing what would happen next. Eventually my mind said, "I'm in the workout clothes.…

June 30, 2016

Education / Entrepreneurship / Inc.com / Leadership

Breakthrough Science on Leadership and Why You Shouldn’t Read This Article

My Inc.com article yesterday, "Breakthrough Science on Leadership and Why You Shouldn't Read This Article" began Breakthrough Science on Leadership and Why You Shouldn't Read This Article How great leaders who never learned leadership from science, books, or classes became great. As a leader, entrepreneur, and professor,Â I used to enjoy TED talks and learning about frontierÂ science.Â Do you feel, watching them, like I felt: "This is forefront stuff. Since most people don't know it, I can use it to get ahead!"? Same with Malcolm Gladwell books: "He knows breakingÂ research. When I know it too, I'll have an insight to get ahead." We want the latest research to get ahead, to give us an edge. Sounds great.Â Only that's not how greats get great. The Folly of TED…

June 29, 2016

Education / Inc.com / Leadership

Despite What Harvard Says, You Don’t Need a Crucible

My Inc.com post, "Despite What Harvard Says, You Don't Need a Crucible" begins Despite What Harvard Says, You Don't Need a Crucible While some have become leaders by overcoming great challenges, don't believe the myth that you need to. In September 2002, Warren BennisÂ and Robert Thomas wrote inÂ Harvard Business Review's,Â Crucibles of Leadership, In interviewingÂ more than 40 top leaders in business and theÂ public sector over the past three years, we wereÂ surprised to find that all of them--young andÂ old--were able to point to intense, often traumatic, always unplanned experiences that hadÂ transformed them and had become the sourcesÂ of their distinctive leadership abilities. We came to call the experiences that shapeÂ leaders "crucibles," after the vessels medievalÂ alchemists used in their attempts to turn baseÂ metals into gold. Harvard Business Review includes…

June 20, 2016

Entrepreneurship / Inc.com / Tips

These 2 Magic Phrases Make Persistence Pay Off

My Inc.com post today, "These 2 Magic Phrases Make Persistence Pay Off," begins These 2 Magic Phrases Make Persistence Pay Off Persist too much and you risk annoying people. Here are 2 simple phrases so people will appreciate your persistence. You know persistence pays off. It can get you that sale, that interview, that dream job you wanted. Often it's the only way. You also know too much persistence can strain a relationship. So you hesitate to persist even when you know it's your only chance. Most people ask themselves if they're pushing too little or too much. That's not the most effective question to ask yourself. More effective is to ask: What can I do to make my persistence work so they'll appreciate it?…

June 2, 2016

12 Adrenaline-Rush Activities You Can Do Today That Beat Jumping Out Of A Plane

My Inc.com article today, "12 Adrenaline-Rush Activities You Can Do Today That Beat Jumping Out Of A Plane" began 12 Adrenaline-Rush Activities You Can Do Today That Beat Jumping Out Of A Plane However thrilling, skydiving, bungee jumping, and such are passive. You sign up and they take care of everything. How about something more active? I respectÂ peopleÂ getting rushes from exciting things like jumping out of planes. I've parachuted from two--firstÂ when my friend dragged me with her because her boss dragged her and unexpectedlyÂ loved it. That said, most adrenaline-rush activities are passive, polluting, and deprive you of the challenge of motivating yourself to do it. Meanwhile,Â singing in public freaks me out and I envyÂ the thrill of theÂ woman above. Business, especially entrepreneurship, can be thrilling if…

May 26, 2016

Education / Exercises / Inc.com / Leadership

One Way Science and Business Don’t Match

My Inc.com post today, "One Way Science and Business Don't Match" begins One Way Science and Business Don't Match Learning facts about leading doesn't teach you to lead. Practice does. I stopped reading Daniel Pink's bestseller Drive before chapter 1. I bet it's entertaining, but if you read it to improve yourself and your career, it helps less than you think. Not to single-out Drive. I'm only using it to illustrate what a big category of books, TED talks, and others do, that people think help more than they probably do. Read the rest at One Way Science and Business Don't Match

May 18, 2016

Inc.com / Leadership / Stories

What You Can Learn from the Best Leader in America’s Bold Job Interview Strategy

My Inc.com article today, "What You Can Learn from the Best Leader in America's Bold Job Interview Strategy" begins What You Can Learn from the Best Leader in America's Bold Job Interview Strategy Interviewing for the job that brought her national prominence, she prepared and behaved differed from most standard advice, but was incredibly effective. Of those responsible the Girl Scouts camping out on the White House lawn, Frances Hesselbein may have been the most important. As the CEO of the Girls Scouts from 1976 to 1990, she helped turn the organization around, tripling minority enrollment, and increasing their focus on leadership, science, technology, and math. Her work earned her the Presidential Medal of Freedom among other honors--bringing her to the White House--not to mention…

May 16, 2016

Entrepreneurship / Inc.com / Leadership

Have a Great Plan? Without Answering These 2 Questions You Don’t.

My Inc.com article today, "Have a Great Plan? Without Answering These 2 Questions You Don't." begins Have a Great Plan? Without Answering These 2 Questions You Don't. Plans are easy. Executing them is harder and takes a lot longer--and not for what you can plan for. Here's how to prepare for the unexpected. A client showedÂ me his ambitious plan for professional development. It showed he had developed a lot, learned his values, learned what he was capable of, set high standards, and listed many SMART goals. He also said it would entail moreÂ than an hour a day every day for the rest of the year--237 days at the time, since he included weekends. I know almost no one whoÂ added 237 hours of work on 237…

May 9, 2016

Art / Creativity / Entrepreneurship / Inc.com / Visualization

Explore your passions to grow, develop, and to make your work art: My talk at Creative Tech Week

My talk at Creative Tech Week Monday followed up my Inc.com column, Why Entrepreneurs Are Today's Artists (and Why It Matters), which explored how anyone can express themselves and learn and grow through their work if they search for their passions within. Here's the video, just taken by a camera phone from the front row. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGO3k7_Ot_s It also refers to my Don't Be Walter posts from 2013 about the Big Lebowski.

May 4, 2016

Education / Inc.com / Leadership / Relationships / Stories

Six Lessons I Learned at Lunch With the Best Leader in America

My post on Inc.com today, "Six Lessons I Learned at Lunch With the Best Leader in America," begins Six Lessons I Learned at Lunch With the Best Leader in America Experience trumps everything in leadership and she has more than you do. From the Girl Scouts to the White House. IsÂ Alan Mulally, former CEO of Ford, whose stock price went upÂ 18 timesÂ under his watch, a fair judge of good leadership?Â How aboutÂ Peter Drucker, the "founder of modern management"?Â How aboutÂ Marshall Goldsmith, named the #1 leadership thinker in the world in 2015? If we can accept them as reasonable judges, they all named Frances Hesselbein--advisor to the U.S. Military Academy atÂ West Point,Â fourteen-yearÂ CEO of the Girl Scouts, holder of almost two dozen honorary degrees, and more--as the best leader…

April 29, 2016

Inc.com / Leadership

America’s Best Leader Doesn’t Waste Time in Airports. Why Are You?

My Inc.com article yesterday, "America's Best Leader Doesn't Waste Time in Airports. Why Are You?" began America's Best Leader Doesn't Waste Time in Airports. Why Are You? Business class and travel apps exist for a reason: because traveling is awful. If the most effective leaders can do more while traveling less then so can you. Ask someone at home about travel and they may think of the Eiffel Tower, but traveling is more like long lines at dirty, intrusive airports, traffic congestion, and wasted time. Plus your flying causes more pollution than nearly any other activity. Why do you think business class exists? Because business travel would be unbearable without it. Think of it: if you enjoyed getting in a cramped space for hours after…

April 26, 2016

Prince’s Quirky Anti-Celebrity Habit Showed His Class Beyond Mere Fame

Art / Creativity / Entrepreneurship / Habits / Inc.com

Prince’s Quirky Anti-Celebrity Habit Showed His Class Beyond Mere Fame

My Inc.com article yesterday, "Prince's Quirky Anti-Celebrity Habit Showed His Class Beyond Mere Fame," begins Prince's Quirky Anti-Celebrity Habit Showed His Class Beyond Mere Fame Today's celebrities seek fame, trying hard to promote themselves. Prince was more dedicated to his craft and community, as his relationships showed. My first thought on learning Prince died was how my friends Corianna and Brianna, better known as Coco and Breezy, had been telling me about him and his get-togethers that he'd been inviting them to. In particular, how in this age of where athletes post on social media during competitions, so starved for fame and addicted to the habit, Prince did the opposite. We can all learn from him. I think it shows that his fame will transcend…

April 23, 2016

Entrepreneurship / Inc.com / Leadership

Hope Is For Losers. Here’s What Winners Have Instead.

My Inc.com story yesterday, "Hope Is For Losers. Here's What Winners Have Instead." begins Hope Is For Losers. Here's What Winners Have Instead Mainstream society values hope. If you're in business, relying on hope means you've nearly failed and you should know why. In a scene in the great TV show Cheers where Sam is down on his luck, Diane says in a chipper tone to cheer him up, "At least you still have your health." Everyone at the bar -- Norm, Cliff, Woody, etc -- suddenly groans, like they just saw a puppy die. "What? What did I say?" Diane asks, confused and surprised. Carla explains, "When you say someone has their health, it means they have nothing else. They've hit rock bottom. You're…

April 20, 2016

Entrepreneurship / Freedom / Inc.com / Leadership

“How to Break Rules and Succeed Like Kobe Bryant”

My Inc.com piece today, "How to Break Rules and Succeed Like Kobe Bryant," begins How to Break Rules and Succeed Like Kobe Bryant Kobe Bryant polarized and broke rules most of us can't, yet earned admiration and support. Why can some people break rules, yet get support? The LA Times called Kobe Bryant "the most polarizing figure in the history of L.A. sports." He spoke out against his team. He publicly quarreled with his teammate. These are transgressions that could end many people's career's, no matter how talented. Yet Kobe leaves the game admired and supported. Why can he break so many rules, yet exit so admired? As entrepreneurs and leaders, the answer matters. We work in spaces where rules aren't as clear as in…

April 14, 2016

Creativity / Education / Entrepreneurship / Inc.com / Tips

Want to Succeed as an Entrepreneur? Learn This One Lesson From ‘The Martian’

My Inc. article today "Want to Succeed as an Entrepreneur? Learn This One Lesson From 'The Martian'," begins Want to Succeed as an Entrepreneur? Learn This One Lesson From 'The Martian' Think The Martian was about solving technology problems? Those were the details. You missed the big picture that ties it all together. Though engineers andÂ space aficionadosÂ probablyÂ loved The Martian, entrepreneurs had the most to love and learn. We got the forest. Everyone else got trees. It wasn't special effects. It wasn't references to getting to Mars soonerÂ or feeling like you were there. In fact, the most exciting parts--where Matt Damon's character solved each engineering challenge, handling the teamwork challenges of rescuing him, the space walks--only built the foundation for the story's biggest lesson. Most viewers…

April 6, 2016

Entrepreneurship / Inc.com / Leadership / Models / Perception

“Resilience: What The New York Times, New Yorker and Most of Academia Got Wrong” (My Inc. story)

My latest Inc.com story "Resilience: What The New York Times, New Yorker and Most of Academia Got Wrong" begins Resilience: What The New York Times, New Yorker, and Most of Academia Got Wrong If you want to be resilient, not just know about resilience, research and the media won't help you. [the story starts with a picture of an athlete covered in mud, struggling to make it] You're covered in mud, exhausted, bruised, and have a long way to go. Disaster or glory? Any leader or entrepreneur knows it's how you look at it. The active among us find ways to motivate ourselves and our teams. Resilience is a hot topic. It's valuable to know to handle challenges and recover from adversity. Those who can…

April 1, 2016

Why Entrepreneurs Are Today’s Artists (My Inc. article today)

Art / Awareness / Creativity / Entrepreneurship / Inc.com

Why Entrepreneurs Are Today’s Artists (My Inc. article today)

Read my article on Inc. today: "Why Entrepreneurs Are Today's Artists" It begins Why Entrepreneurs Are Today's Artists What is today's greatest source of creativity, expression, social change, progress, innovation, introspection, performance, determination, struggle, challenge, and even truth and beauty? Artists change how we see and think about the world. Visiting Paris's Musee D'Orsayfor the first time in twenty years made me wonder if artists today are changing how we see the world like a century ago. Manet, Monet, Degas, Cezanne, their peers,Â mentors, andÂ legacies--to pickÂ one of countless lineages--provoked discussion and debate in their time andÂ affected society and culture forever.Â The biggest debates onÂ art in my time surroundedÂ a photograph of a crucifix in urine and a portrait of theÂ virgin Mary with feces. Maybe I'm shortsighted, but today's…

March 25, 2016

Product review: Webinarninja embarrassed me in front of customers. One of the worst products I’ve used.

Entrepreneurship / Inc.com / Stories

Product review: Webinarninja embarrassed me in front of customers. One of the worst products I’ve used.

EDIT: I've started using Webinarjam, which has worked flawlessly so far. I recommend it instead. I haven't compared it with others beside Webinarninja, which failed me miserably and whose customer support wasted my time, so I can say it works. It's possible there are better alternatives, but I'm happy with it. To see my use of Webinarjam in action, check out my recurring webinar describing my leadership course, which as of January 2016 runs weekly on Thursdays. Click here to register and see it (you can unsubscribe after watching it). I am pleased to promote products and services that deliver or overdeliver, such as a remarkably helpful flight attendant, my thirty-year-old-and-still-going-strong rice cooker / vegetable steamer / miracle appliance, and the pressure cooker that has…

March 21, 2016

Inc.com / Leadership / Nonjudgment / Perception

My Inc. post: Trump: Why Voters Love Him and What You Can Learn From Him (Even If You Hate Him)

My Inc. post today, "Trump: Why Voters Love Him and What You Can Learn From Him (Even If You Hate Him)," begins Trump: Why Voters Love Him and What You Can Learn From Him (Even If You Hate Him) Love him or hate him, he's effective at something and you can learn what works from his technique. An example confusing people trying to understand Donald Trump: the picture above shows himÂ speaking on Pearl Harbor Day, yet he "dodged Vietnam War through medical deferment, not high draft number as he claimed." He's belligerent andÂ hawkishÂ yet has a "history as dove." Still he gains support, defeating another opponent, MarcoÂ Rubio,Â for good in his home state. Mainstream media and political analysts have trouble understanding his popularity. Listening to what he…

March 18, 2016

Art / Choosing/Decision-Making / Entrepreneurship / Inc.com / Models / Perception

My Inc. piece today: How Beatles Producer George Martin Succeeded Where Every Label Failed

My post at Inc. today, "How Beatles Producer George Martin Succeeded Where Every Label Failed," begins: How Beatles Producer George Martin Succeeded Where Every Label Failed George Martin signed the Beatles in 1962 after every British label rejected them. How the experts missed the opportunity happens more than you think. I played Abbey Road until the stylus on my child's cheap record player destroyed each groove from Come Together to Her Majesty. I've never stopped loving The Beatles' music and still consider them my favorite musicians. George Martin, the band's producer, died yesterday at 90. It's hard to imagine that every British record label rejected them before him. It's hard to imagine music today without "The most popular and influential rock act of all time,…

March 9, 2016

Creativity / Entrepreneurship / Inc.com / Models

Inc.com Today: This Insidious (and Subtle) Innovation Myth is Killing Your Creativity

My post today on Inc.com, "This Insidious (and Subtle) Innovation Myth is Killing Your Creativity," begins: This Insidious (and Subtle) Innovation Myth is Killing Your Creativity This specious myth is so commonly held enough that few challenge it. Yet overcoming it is easy and rewarding. Thomas Edison was an outlier. For someone to invent so many products and succeed with so many, even accounting for his failures, just doesn't happen, before or after him. Elon Musk, with several innovations, is still an outlier. It's rare that someone could come up with multiple ideas, let alone to succeed with even one of them. Jeff Bezos, while more financially successful than most, is more typical in terms of innovation. Most of us would be lucky to come…

March 4, 2016

Humor / Inc.com / Visualization

My Inc. post today: Like TED Talks? This 99-Second Video Covers Them All

My post today on Inc.com, "My Inc. post today: Like TED Talks? This 99-Second Video Covers Them All," begins: Like TED Talks? This 99-Second Video Covers Them All Everyone loves inspiration, so we enjoy TED talks. But do they change behavior or just make us feel inspired? Who doesn't love feeling inspired? I do, so for a long time I loved TED talks. No longer. Why not? Because I distinguish between inspiration to act and mere feeling inspired. I've been asking people for years, and inÂ no case of someone telling me aÂ TED talk "inspired" themÂ did they alsoÂ changeÂ their behavior. Not a double-blind controlled experiment, but strong enough evidence for me. So I made this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCXp9GFcDhQ Read the rest at Inc.com: My Inc. post today: Like…

February 29, 2016

Fitness / Inc.com / Models / Perception / Stories

Inc.com Today: How to Win an NBA Championship as a 66-Year-Old Grandmother of Five

My post today on Inc.com, "How to Win an NBA Championship as a 66-Year-Old Grandmother of Five," begins: How to Win an NBA Championship as a 66-Year-Old Grandmother of Five Knowing your values and living by them enables you to achieve the value of what others only dream of. This is a post about values, living by them, and achieving more through it. You read Inc.com.Â You value achievement. Let's talk about overcomingÂ challenges and winning. Marathons I've run a few marathons. One year an 88-year-old woman finished the same race. ForÂ fun IÂ teased my mom that she could train for twenty years and still be younger. She laughed butÂ said she was pastÂ marathons. She grew up on a farm, so knew exertion, butÂ had never run more than a…

February 26, 2016

Entrepreneurship / Inc.com / Stories

Why Disaster Was the Best Thing to Happen to Me as an Entrepreneur

My post today on Inc.com, "Why Disaster Was the Best Thing to Happen to Me as an Entrepreneur," begins: Why Disaster Was the Best Thing to Happen to Me as an Entrepreneur You want experience in people you hire and yourself too. Only the more useful the experience, the more painful it is to gain. Do you know how to tell how good at something someone is? I've learned: Clueless people brag aboutÂ how great they are. Masters tell you the disasters they overcame on the way to mastery. The masters' stories areÂ more fun and educational. I hope you enjoy and learn from mine. You Value Experience, But NotÂ Any Experience When you hire, you look forÂ experience, but notÂ any experience. Anyone the same age has the same…

February 23, 2016

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