Scott Monty | Timeless Wisdom

The Superpower in Every Leader

The Superpower in Every Leader

The Good Samaritan by Luigi Sciallero, 1854 (Wikimedia Commons - public domain) "Three things are important in human life. The ...

Emotional Intelligence and Ego

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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rMhEuoc2p8o/XagUbdkbT0I/AAAAAAABIe4/pI7yDivwXxI3KZ_CUc-soJYxfMMdw_hLwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Pieter%2BBruegel%2Bde%2BOude%2B-%2BThe%2BFall%2Bof%2BIcarus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1023" data-original-width="1600" height="408" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rMhEuoc2p8o/XagUbdkbT0I/AAAAAAABIe4/pI7yDivwXxI3KZ_CUc-soJYxfMMdw_hLwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Pieter%2BBruegel%2Bde%2BOude%2B-%2BThe%2BFall%2Bof%2BIcarus.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a data-cke-saved-href="http://ttps://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11974918" href="http://ttps//commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11974918" target="_blank">The Fall of Icarus</a> by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, 1558 (1. Web Gallery of Art2. The Bridgeman Art Library, Object 3675, Public Domain - Wikipedia)</td></tr>
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Last week, we explored how <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.scottmonty.com/2019/10/serenity-now.html" href="https://www.scottmonty.com/2019/10/serenity-now.html" target="_blank">reflection</a> is the curative for an otherwise noisy and busy world. And now, following on the heels of <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.scottmonty.com/2019/10/the-liberation-of-listening.html" href="https://www.scottmonty.com/2019/10/the-liberation-of-listening.html" target="_blank">listening with empathy</a>, let's look at something that we mentioned in passing there: "the intersection of disinterest and ego." Namely, hubris. History and literature are rife with examples of hubris, or excessive pride and arrogance. Ajax, title character of Sophocles' play of the same name, thinks he does not need Zeus' help due to hubris. Oedipus thinks he can outrun his destiny. In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein thinks he can control life. 
 Pride is widely viewed as a tragic flaw — one with moral implications. Following the ancient Greek tradition, the seven deadly sins (one of which is Pride) are part of the Christian teaching. Pride is considered the original and worst of the seven. It is dangerously corrupt selfishness; the putting of one's own desires, urges, wants, and whims before the welfare of other people. 
 In other words, it's what we might more commonly refer to as ego. 
It seems that more often than not, the ego-driven, ambitious, obsessive visionaries — call them what you will — are celebrated and rewarded. And to a certain degree that's true. For without drive, ambition, and self-confidence, it's hard to stand out. But kind of ego I'm talking about isn't about that kind of motivation. It's about the misguided and blind ambition — twisted, selfish, arrogant self-belief. When the visionary won't tolerate naysayers or questions. When they seem to be detached from reality and think they can do no wrong. Think Travis Kalanick (Uber), Adam Neumann (WeWork), or Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook). 
There's a sense of <a data-cke-saved-href="https://amzn.to/2LdnVcQ" href="https://amzn.to/2LdnVcQ" target="_blank">entitlement and control</a> that individuals like this bring to the table. And it's damaging to everyone around them, including the entity they're trying to build. Entitlement says, "I deserve this by virtue of who I am, not what I did." ("And you don't" follows logically.) Control says "My way or the highway," and drives away the very people who might be in the best position to help. 
And while you're probably not the level of ego that any of the above are, there are times when you can feel your ego being fed. Perhaps when you get a promotion. Or when one of your tweets, videos or images goes viral. Or when you step off of a stage to thunderous applause. We're all susceptible to our ego being fed by these moments. The trick is not to let it get to your head. So what's the best way to address our own egos as leaders? 
<h2 class="null">
The Opposite of Hubris</h2>
 What's the opposite of hubris? If you said humility, congratulations. I don't have a prize for you, but you should feel good about yourself. The emotionally-intelligent leader can understand how important it is to battle the constant barrage of ego and achieve humility. Four key elements of emotional intelligence (EI or EQ) are: 
<ol>
<li>Self-awareness</li>
<li>Self-discipline</li>
<li>Empathy</li>
<li>Relationship management</li>
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 The self-awareness comes with reflection. Taking the time to assess what we do, how we think, and what we'll do next is part of this exercise. Self-discipline or self-management is about controlling our reactions, our temperament. Empathy is being able to understand how others may be feeling, which leads to managing our relationships. 
 Your EQ should fundamentally include the understanding that any leadership role is a matter of servant leadership. You are called to serve others with your talent and skills: customers, board members, your direct reports whom you're training. It's an exercise in humility. And along the way, you'll run into some challenges. You're going to find that you need to listen more. You're going to make mistakes. And as you do, remember this: three of the most humbling words a good leader can say are: 
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"I was wrong."</div>
 Sometimes that might mean acknowledging that you might not the right person for the job. 
<h2>
A Case Study in Humility</h2>
This is an amazing example of just such leadership in action. I had the great fortune to serve as an executive at Ford Motor Company. It's an iconic brand — one started by Henry Ford in 1903. And when I took the job in 2008, I realized just what a special place it was, with Henry's great-grandson Bill Ford in the Executive Chairman role. But how he got there was another story. Henry Ford is one of the icons of 20th century business. When Steve Jobs (another icon) passed away in 2010, his name was mentioned along with Henry Ford and Thomas Edison has having had an indelible impact on the world. When Bill joined the company out of college, his father, William Clay Ford, Sr. said,"You know, you will have to be better than everyone else because of who you are." (Source: <a data-cke-saved-href="https://amzn.to/35FAjf3" href="https://amzn.to/35FAjf3" target="_blank">Once Upon a Car</a>, Bill Vlasic, p.19) He was right. Bill had to overachieve because the perception would be that he was entitled. He had to prove himself. And he did just that, overachieving. He joined the board at age 31 and just 11 years later in 1999, he was elected Chairman. 
 But the late 'Nineties and early 'Aughts were tough times for Ford. The CEO at that time was Jacques Nasser, an energetic Ford executive who had been with the company for 30 years and also had a sizable ego. Bill Ford fired Nasser in 2001 and took the CEO role, to much acclaim. It had been more than 20 years since a Ford family member led the company, and it was still family-owned. The next five years would prove a challenge, with rising costs of raw materials and fuel, as well as pressure from Japanese automakers. The CFO, Don Leclaire, kept leadership apprised of the mounting pressure. The company was exploring a tie-up, selling portions of the company to private equity firms, and other extreme measures to avoid bankruptcy (the family ownership would be voided in such a case). Then in the summer of 2006, Leclaire informed Ford that it had eighteen to thirty-six months of cash left. The situation was dire. (Source: <a data-cke-saved-href="https://amzn.to/35HZP3B" href="https://amzn.to/35HZP3B" target="_blank">American Icon: Alan Mulally and the Fight to Save Ford Motor Company</a>, Bryce Hoffman, p. 53) At that point, Bill Ford, the great-grandson of the company's founder, made one of the most critical decisions in his life: he would step aside as CEO, telling one of his directors, "No single individual can run this company effectively under the current circumstances. I need help. Help me get that help." (Ibid., p. 55) When you consider the reputation of U.S. automakers at the time as myopic and egotistical (deservedly so), this was a remarkable move from a self-aware leader. That it was a descendant of Henry Ford made it all the more shocking. 
<h2>
"The most remarkable operating executive in the country"</h2>
That was Bill Ford's reaction was after meeting Alan Mulally for the first time. (Once Upon a Car, p. 146) Alan was EVP of Boeing's commercial aircraft division at the time, and it took quite a bit of wooing to convince Alan to leave the aeronautics industry. Alan was eager, energetic and earnest. He had a charming demeanor: jubilant, familiar, and always asking questions. And he quickly assessed the situation, saying "I think you need clarity. You need real clarity of the plan, clarity of communication." (Ibid., p. 149) Alan always had a way of taking a complex situation and creating a simple way of thinking about it — that clarity that he mentioned to Bill. But in my experience, Alan's simplification never made you feel as if he was talking down to you. He was always bringing you on a journey with him. For someone who had successfully run a major division of a company like Boeing and ran a global icon like Ford, Alan had plenty of reasons to have an ego. And yet, he was more humble than anyone I've ever met. If you expressed how proud you were to work for him and what a great job he was doing, he'd always demur with, "Scott, it's an honor to serve." Servant leadership. Always. 
<h2>
The Really Neat Part</h2>
Henry Ford had once been the chief engineer at Edison's main plant in Detroit. He considered Thomas Edison a mentor, and later they could become colleagues: two visionaries who, through their innovations, changed how the world worked. Edison once said, 
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Vision without execution is just hallucination."</div>
 And the execution is exactly what Bill Ford was struggling with before hiring Alan. Bill has always been a visionary. It's extraordinary to watch him think and animatedly talk about the possibilities that the future brings. His <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.ted.com/talks/bill_ford_a_future_beyond_traffic_gridlock?language=en" href="https://www.ted.com/talks/bill_ford_a_future_beyond_traffic_gridlock?language=en" target="_blank">TED Talk</a> in 2011 was ahead of its time, addressing many of the mobility opportunities that are here today. But Bill needed someone to execute on that vision. He found it in Alan, who said: "I kept thinking: a compelling vision, a comprehensive strategy, and then relentless implementation. That's our plan." (Ibid., p. 155) 
 But Alan knew that it wasn't enough to have a vision; he needed the visionary by his side to keep the momentum going. Again his humility came to the surface as he gave a condition for his employment: "I won't take the job unless Bill stays as chairman. Bill has the name. I'm sure he has the magic with the employees, and probably with the dealers. He can do things I wouldn't be able to do because of who he is and the way he is." (American Icon, p. 72) That's exactly what happened. Alan took the CEO role on September 6, 2006 and he and Bill Ford announced the partnership to the world. It was a partnership in emotional intelligence. In servant leadership. In humility. And I'm honored to have served with them. 
 
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--_ebQGwR7Qk/XagVrscFlsI/AAAAAAABIfE/LXDlj9JzHswBGoyJHsfUAj2dGhSE2z3pACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Alan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="420" height="193" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--_ebQGwR7Qk/XagVrscFlsI/AAAAAAABIfE/LXDlj9JzHswBGoyJHsfUAj2dGhSE2z3pACLcBGAsYHQ/s200/Alan.jpg" width="200" /></a>  <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kMWeDdWAh3Q/XagVru7SYGI/AAAAAAABIfI/-caEtPTN9po2x3Mv3rAzT6d1dMYAoPGqgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Bill%2BFord.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kMWeDdWAh3Q/XagVru7SYGI/AAAAAAABIfI/-caEtPTN9po2x3Mv3rAzT6d1dMYAoPGqgCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/Bill%2BFord.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
 
 
<h2 class="null">
Quote of the Week</h2>
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 "The chief proof of man’s real greatness lies in his perception of his own smallness."  </div>
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– Sir Arthur Conan Doyle</div>
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The latest <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGgx1Eb6rqM" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGgx1Eb6rqM" target="_blank">#FitToBeTied</a> episode has a logical <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGgx1Eb6rqM" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGgx1Eb6rqM" target="_blank">recommendation</a> for Mark Zuckerberg amid Facebook's prevaricating over political ads.</div>
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Emotional Intelligence and Ego

The Fall of Icarus by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, 1558 (1. Web Gallery of Art2. The Bridgeman Art Library, Object 3675, Public Domain - Wik...

The Liberation of Listening

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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TimE0-7VvI4/XaVZ86qrL-I/AAAAAAABIbk/mu6CsxZezd8XzEFP9n1sdxXlxMCwfgi7ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Joseph%2BKarl%2BStieler%2B-%2BBeethoven.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1127" data-original-width="1600" height="450" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TimE0-7VvI4/XaVZ86qrL-I/AAAAAAABIbk/mu6CsxZezd8XzEFP9n1sdxXlxMCwfgi7ACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Joseph%2BKarl%2BStieler%2B-%2BBeethoven.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a data-cke-saved-href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Beethoven.jpg" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Beethoven.jpg" target="_blank">Portrait of Ludwig van Beethoven when composing the Missa Solemnis</a> by Joseph Karl Stieler, 1820 (public domain - Wikipedia)</td></tr>
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We recently reflected on <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.scottmonty.com/2019/10/serenity-now.html" href="https://www.scottmonty.com/2019/10/serenity-now.html" target="_blank">silence and tranquility</a>, and what we can do with time without distractions. The reaction to that was universally positive (which didn't surprise me). Taken to an extreme, though there's another side to it too: isolation. Now, I'm not talking about physical isolation. Think of this more as a mental isolation. It can come about by not being present — "zoning out," if you will — or simply by refusing to take other points of view into account. When we're lost in our own thoughts, or willfully ensconced in our own bubbles, we're in danger of missing what's happening outside of them. It's at this intersection of disinterest and ego that we find Beethoven. 
<h2 class="null">
Immortal Beloved</h2>
Widely recognized as one of the greatest composers of all time, his accomplishments are even more impressive when we consider he wrote some of the world's most beautiful and soulful music while he was deaf. In 1798, when he was twenty-eight years old, he experienced brief deafness, only to regain his hearing, but with a cruel twist: "a maddening chorus of squealing, buzzing, and humming that roared in his ears all day and night." [Disclosure: I suffer from the same malady that afflicted Beethoven: tinnitus. I talked about it <a data-cke-saved-href="https://soundcloud.com/fullmontyshow/episode-28-doing-the-right" href="https://soundcloud.com/fullmontyshow/episode-28-doing-the-right" target="_blank">on my podcast</a> a while back.] By the time Beethoven composed and premiered his Symphony No. 9 in D. Minor (Op. 125) in 1824, he was completely deaf. Think about that. One of the most sublime pieces of music ever written was composed by a man who would never hear it performed. The reason he could create music that touches our very soul is because he realized that his craft required a broader knowledge. His teacher instructed him: You need "a meticulous acquaintance with the various characters [of men] … with the passions … One observes the nuances of feelings, or the point where one passion changes into another."  
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— <a data-cke-saved-href="https://amzn.to/32gP1qX" href="https://amzn.to/32gP1qX" target="_blank">Beethoven: Anguish and Triumph</a> by Jan Swofford</div>
 And yet, by 1822, the aristocracy considered Beethoven to be crazy and misanthropic, claiming that "his misery is his own doing." (Ibid.) What they didn't realize is how isolated his deafness made him. 
<h2 class="null">
You're Not Alone</h2>
The idea of isolation, of hearing things (or not hearing things) that others hear — this made me think about leadership. In certain roles as leaders, we find ourselves alone. Whether you're a CEO, or a ground-breaking specialist at your company who is the only one who does what you do — there are certain situations you find yourself in where you probably feel like you're completely and utterly alone. Like there's no one else who can understand what you're going through. Or no one to whom you can turn for empathy. Well, let me just dispel that notion right now. You are surrounded by people who want to help. As the statesman-philosopher Marcus Aurelius wrote in <a data-cke-saved-href="https://amzn.to/2YcpYXb" href="https://amzn.to/2YcpYXb" target="_blank">Meditations</a>, "we came into the world for the sake of one another." People are generally quite helpful, given the chance. And while you may not have a corresponding peer at your company, odds are, with 7 billion people in the world, there's at least one other person who can relate to what you're going through. The problem is that our culture has taught us not to ask for help — asking for help makes us seem weak. To admit to anything that would appear to make us less than perfect just isn't done. To confess a failure, loneliness, confusion, or any other roadblock is seen as anathema to leadership. Leaders are supposed to be strong, resilient, and all-knowing. But we're not. We're just like most other human beings. And so, being a leader can be a lonely pursuit at times. 
<h2 class="null">
Coda</h2>
Beethoven knew what he wanted to accomplish with his 9th Symphony, even if no one else did. But he knew he had to communicate his plan. He innovated: For the very first time, a chorus was present; no one knew what might happen because there had never been vocals in symphony before. He repeated things in context: The fourth movement consisted of snippets of each of the previous three movements, restated in context. He inspired his team to help: Throughout the performance, Beethoven stood in front of the conductor, "sunk in thought," beating time, and hearing nothing. At the conclusion, the soloist Karoline Unger had to turn him around to see the five ovations that he could not hear. This scene is portrayed beautifully in <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fQG4CcoRuM" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fQG4CcoRuM" target="_blank">Immortal Beloved</a>: 
 
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So instead of suffering in the silence, instead of sitting there alone, wondering if you're supposed to be hearing something when you're not, take a moment to look around and ask questions. Invite others into your sanctum. Admit your shortcomings. You may be surprised at how liberating that is, both for you and the people who want to help. 
 
 
 
<h2>
</h2>
Industry Stories "I have gathered a posy of other men's flowers, and nothing but the thread that binds them is my own." – Montaigne 1. The email inbox is an illusion, a metaphor, a construct. Things may be stored, arranged, dumped, therein, but in there they are not boxed. They are the opposite of boxed: they are boundless. <a data-cke-saved-href="https://lithub.com/the-inbox-a-scattered-ad-ridden-archive-of-our-lives/" href="https://lithub.com/the-inbox-a-scattered-ad-ridden-archive-of-our-lives/" target="_blank">The Inbox: A Scattered, Ad-Ridden Archive of Our Lives</a>. (Lithub) 2. Is this the novel of the future? The New York Public Library has been using Instagram Stories to upload strikingly designed versions of short classics for anyone to read with a simple swipe. It's called <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.fastcompany.com/90392917/the-next-big-reading-platform-may-be-instagram" href="https://www.fastcompany.com/90392917/the-next-big-reading-platform-may-be-instagram" target="_blank">Insta Novels</a>. (Fast Company) 3. Reductive stories like "Netflix Killed Blockbuster" make it too easy for fearful retailers today to jump onto the latest tech bandwagon and ignore their own corporate rot. They are fatalistic and yet somehow still manage to gloss over the monumental difficulty of transforming a business. This longread is a must: <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.retaildive.com/news/who-really-killed-blockbuster/564314/" href="https://www.retaildive.com/news/who-really-killed-blockbuster/564314/" target="_blank">Who Really Killed Blockbuster?</a>. (Retail Dive) 
 
 For the Curious Mind "Curiosity is the lust of the mind." – Thomas Hobbes For the emotionally intelligent leader, you can't do much better than this: <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.brainpickings.org/2019/09/19/listen-holly-mcghee-pascal-lemaitre/" href="https://www.brainpickings.org/2019/09/19/listen-holly-mcghee-pascal-lemaitre/" target="_blank">An Illustrated Ode to Attentiveness and the Art of Listening as a Wellspring of Self-Understanding, Empathy for Others, and Reverence for the Loveliness of Life</a> (Brain Pickings) Another aspect of emotional intelligence is self-discipline. Simply by <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/ulterior-motives/201910/gratitude-may-increase-self-control" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/ulterior-motives/201910/gratitude-may-increase-self-control" target="_blank">expressing gratitude you can increase your self-control</a>. (Psychology Today) How about living your life according to philosophies from various movies? Here are <a data-cke-saved-href="https://fortheinterested.com/44-movie-scenes/" href="https://fortheinterested.com/44-movie-scenes/" target="_blank">44 movie scenes that have inspired</a> one creative mind. (For the Interested) <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/railroad-gauge-chariots/?fbclid=IwAR3nQB1wAc3DIyV3uFe0LgEPl8lYaXHmvdCiwo4CffvJUETSgTYvzOxTAVA" href="https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/railroad-gauge-chariots/?fbclid=IwAR3nQB1wAc3DIyV3uFe0LgEPl8lYaXHmvdCiwo4CffvJUETSgTYvzOxTAVA" target="_blank">Are U.S. railroad gauges based on Roman chariots?</a> It's complicated. But along the way, we get a fascinating look at transportation history. (Snopes) Thanks to <a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.rebeccaromney.com/newsletter-book-curious/" href="http://www.rebeccaromney.com/newsletter-book-curious/" target="_blank">Rebecca Romney</a>, <a data-cke-saved-href="https://tamsenwebster.com/" href="https://tamsenwebster.com/" target="_blank">Tamsen Webster</a> and <a data-cke-saved-href="http://fortheinformation.com" href="http://fortheinformation.com/" target="_blank">Josh Spector</a> for some of the links above.  <h2>
A Heart Replete with Thankfulness</h2>
"Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others." – Cicero This week, I am grateful to <a href="http://www.web-strategist.com/blog/">Jeremiah Owyang</a> and the Kaleido Insights team for <a href="https://www.kaleidoinsights.com/redefining-digital-transformation-in-a-data-driven-era/">defining digital transformation</a> in a simple, yet comprehensive way: <blockquote class="tr_bq">
"A technological, cultural, and operational shift in which organizations leverage data to deliver customer value, innovate with agility, and sustain vitality."</blockquote>
 Recommended Reading/Listening "Let me recommend this book." – Arthur Conan Doyle <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bw52TyTWx14/XaVj8clFF8I/AAAAAAABIbw/rnIp_QGE-Z0JCJep6z16hq1HmXZVgWbuQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/art%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bscore.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bw52TyTWx14/XaVj8clFF8I/AAAAAAABIbw/rnIp_QGE-Z0JCJep6z16hq1HmXZVgWbuQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/art%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bscore.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>
 
My own interest in music tends toward classical and soundtracks. Beethoven's influence above led me to recommend <a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.artofthescore.com.au/" href="http://www.artofthescore.com.au/" target="_blank">Art of the Score</a> as this week's podcast. This show  explores, demystifies and celebrates some of the greatest soundtracks of all time from the world of film, TV and video games. The three cohosts break down main themes, explore what makes a score tick and impart their love of the world of soundtracks. Thanks to Frank Zolenski for the recommendation. 
 
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X7rYRjsUvlc/XaVkB4682mI/AAAAAAABIb0/vx-2APNKG0YpjMHBW6AR9xNaw544BCDtQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Stillness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1132" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X7rYRjsUvlc/XaVkB4682mI/AAAAAAABIb0/vx-2APNKG0YpjMHBW6AR9xNaw544BCDtQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/Stillness.jpg" width="141" /></a></div>
 
Following last week's entry on <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.scottmonty.com/2019/10/serenity-now.html" href="https://www.scottmonty.com/2019/10/serenity-now.html" target="_blank">Serenity</a>, I thought <a data-cke-saved-href="https://amzn.to/2L7Yf1r" href="https://amzn.to/2L7Yf1r" target="_blank">Stillness Is The Key</a> was the perfect book to consider. Ryan Holiday lays out a path for achieving this ancient, but urgently necessary way of living. Drawing on a wide range of history's greatest thinkers, from Confucius to Seneca, Marcus Aurelius to Thich Nhat Hahn, John Stuart Mill to Nietzsche, he argues that stillness is not mere inactivity, but the doorway to self-mastery, discipline, and focus. 
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I'm an executive advisor/coach. A corporate conscience. A C-suite whisperer.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
 </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Executives are in constant demand, have relentless deliverables, and try to set a long-term strategic course. All while trying to keep up with trends and deliver short-term value.</div>
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 </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I bring Fortune 10 executive experience and an outside perspective to help you with growth and focus. </div>
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 </div>
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Bring me in to work with your C-Suite, review your team structure, provide strategic advice, or speak at an event.</div>
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The Liberation of Listening

Portrait of Ludwig van Beethoven when composing the Missa Solemnis by Joseph Karl Stieler, 1820 (public domain - Wikipedia) We recentl...

Serenity Now

Serenity Now

Nighthawks by Edward Hopper, 1942 (public domain - Wikipedia via the Art Institute of Chicago ) I'm fascinated by words. I enjoy c...

Too Much Information

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tit02LGVLEI/XZtaZ3PbnII/AAAAAAABINU/NNjx6HuxbqEF5vL0UdBEtZTFBjuZPFHbQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Rembrandt%2B-%2BThe%2BParable%2Bof%2Bthe%2BRich%2BFool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1453" height="474" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tit02LGVLEI/XZtaZ3PbnII/AAAAAAABINU/NNjx6HuxbqEF5vL0UdBEtZTFBjuZPFHbQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Rembrandt%2B-%2BThe%2BParable%2Bof%2Bthe%2BRich%2BFool.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rembrandt_-_The_Parable_of_the_Rich_Fool.jpg" target="_blank">The Parable of the Rich Fool</a> by Rembrandt, 1627 (public domain - Wikimedia Commons)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
 
We're surrounded! By more data than ever before in history. 
 
But like much of life, it's not how much you have, but what you do with it that matters. 
 
In the words of Young Sherlock Holmes: 
 
<div style="text-align: center;">
"A great detective relies on perception, intelligence, and imagination."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
 </div>
 
And so does the capable executive. 
 
 
We're awash in information. It's coming at us from every angle. 
 
And while there are methods for reducing the onslaught (turn off your phone notifications, go on a digital detox, mindfulness training), it seems that between the news cycle and business data, we can't escape it. 
 
We used to consume news. Now news consumes us. 
 
When it comes to making business decisions, usually more data is beneficial. As Sherlock Holmes replied when Dr. Watson asked him his theory of a case: 
 
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Data! data! data! I can't make bricks without clay."</div>
 
Wise words. And yet... 
 
There seems to be a desire for more data and more information in certain areas of business. What we fail to realize is that too much data can actually keep us from making decisions properly. 
 
Data alone will not solve the problem. With any experienced leader or team, there's a blend of data and experience—call it intuition—that allows for insights. 
 
 
<h3>
The Felicity of Facility</h3>
Some of us have a natural aptitude for numbers that makes data analysis particularly easy. <a href="https://www.laphamsquarterly.org/states-mind/hash-it-out" target="_blank">Charles Baudelaire made this observation</a> about the connection between music and math in Artificial Paradises (1860): 
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Musical notes become numbers; and if your mind is gifted with some mathematical aptitude, the harmony to which you listen, while keeping its voluptuous and sensual character, transforms itself into a vast rhythmical operation where numbers beget numbers, and whose phases and generation follow with an inexplicable ease and an agility which equals that of the person playing."</blockquote>
 
To some, spreadsheets and reports may seem like a jumble of numbers. To others, there are opportunities that cry out. 
 
 
<h3>
Whither Weather?</h3>
During the planning for the D-Day invasion of Normandy, meteorologists informed General Eisenhower that there was a series of storms heading across the Atlantic that would delay the operation, then scheduled for June 5. Conditions had to be just right: calm seas and clear skies. 
 
If the operation went ahead as planned, it would have been a failure; if the Allies waited for the next cycle of tides and improved weather, they would have lost the element of surprise. 
 
However, an updated weather report came through showing a high pressure system that would intersect with Normandy on June 6th. It left a very tight window. 
 
The Germans saw the same forecasts, but didn't think the brief moment of calm would allow the Allies to advance. Field Marshal Rommel was convinced of this and left for a few days in Paris. 
 
Later, asked why D-Day had been a success, Eisenhower said, "<a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/07/01/why-weather-forecasting-keeps-getting-better" target="_blank">Because we had better meteorologists than the Germans</a>." 
 
While this makes sense from a pithy storytelling standpoint, it's actually not true. The meteorologists on both sides of the war saw the same data. But German leadership failed to take into account just how much the Allies wanted to win the war. 
 
Data will only tell part of the story. 
 
Leaders need to put the pieces together using perception and imagination to create insights and informed decisions. 
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 </div>
 
 
<h2>
Stories of the Week</h2>
"I have gathered a posy of other men's flowers, and nothing but the thread that binds them is my own." – Montaigne 
 
<h3>
Listen to the Numbers</h3>
Podcasting has been with us for a while, and now <a href="https://www.vulture.com/2019/09/podcasting-history-three-eras.html?fbclid=IwAR3gSIVC2Wv7q2o2f0C7uABzIO6wcfToBBlBugnBbBfqRH0XDhQFw4k6V1U" target="_blank">we've entered the era of Big Podcasting</a>. (Vulture) 
 
And if you have a podcast, <a href="https://blog.pacific-content.com/downloads-arent-the-whole-story-da7a74252b1d" target="_blank">there are more to the numbers than just downloads</a>. (Blog Pacific) 
 
My take: Don't get into podcasting for the numbers (it takes a long time to build up an audience if you don't already have one). Do it because you've got a good story to tell well. 
 
 
<h3>
Data Isn't the Only Thing That's Piling Up</h3>
Cars have reached a tipping point in New York City. Is it time to ban them? A fascinating look at <a href="https://ny.curbed.com/2019/10/3/20896837/nyc-traffic-history-pedestrian-cars" target="_blank">the history of Manhattan traffic</a>. (Curbed) 
 
My take: The good news is there are many alternatives in the mobility space, from public transportation to ride hailing to individual mobility devices (bikes & scooters) to share the burden. 
 
 
<h3>
The Gig Is Up</h3>
The greatest problem of the gig economy isn't technology at all; <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/90413617/the-gig-economys-deepest-problem-isnt-about-tech-at-all" target="_blank">it's about the poverty</a>. (Fast Company) 
 
In the historically exploitative low-wage work of food delivery, <a href="https://www.nybooks.com/daily/2019/09/20/what-the-apps-that-bring-food-to-your-door-mean-for-delivery-workers/" target="_blank">apps are changing things</a>. But how much? “It’s a hustle. Back in the day you used to have hard drugs on the street, guys would pick corners—now it’s just that, with apps.” (The New York Review of Books) 
 
If you think WeWork is in trouble now, <a href="https://www.vox.com/recode/2019/10/4/20898489/wework-recession-real-estate-experts" target="_blank">just wait until the recession hits</a>. (Recode) 
 
My take: Frictionless apps mean that we get products and services almost without thinking. And that's the problem. 
 
 
<h3>
Good News / Bad News</h3>
More Americans are <a href="https://www.niemanlab.org/2019/10/more-americans-than-ever-are-getting-news-from-social-media-even-as-they-say-social-media-makes-news-worse/" target="_blank">getting their news from social media</a>, even as they say social media news "worse." Platforms vary by age, but the trend is clear. (Nieman Labs) 
 
<a href="https://www.laphamsquarterly.org/night/charts-graphs/dusk-dawn" target="_blank">From Dusk to Dawn</a>: a book of hours for modern night. The full image is available via the link. (Lapham's Quarterly) 
 
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R8MqUSw1rNM/XZuGgzuaSUI/AAAAAAABINg/OTPvcOuf17oRhU7xzcNyClbaqWLCB5yIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/from%2Bdusk%2Bto%2Bdawn.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="1573" height="282" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R8MqUSw1rNM/XZuGgzuaSUI/AAAAAAABINg/OTPvcOuf17oRhU7xzcNyClbaqWLCB5yIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/from%2Bdusk%2Bto%2Bdawn.png" width="640" /></a></div>
 
 
 
<h2>
For the Curious Mind</h2>
"Curiosity is the lust of the mind." – Thomas Hobbes 
 
When you're out and walking around in the city (or anywhere else, for that matter), staring at your smartphone <a href="https://aeon.co/essays/how-smartphones-silence-what-the-urban-landscape-tries-to-say" target="_blank">detracts from the rich tapestry of your surroundings</a>. (Aeon) Heads up. Take in what the world has to offer. 
 
Don't chase the wrong kind of happiness. Here are <a href="https://qz.com/1716835/eleven-habits-of-supremely-happy-people/" target="_blank">eleven habits of supremely happy people</a>. (Quartz) Hint: some of the above links relate to this. 
 
<a href="http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2019/07/the-surprisingly-badass-life-of-the-inventor-of-the-saxophone-adolphe-sax/" target="_blank">The surprisingly badass life of Adolph Sax</a>, the inventor of the saxophone. (Today I Found Out)  Two words: resilience and persistence. 
 
The fast track to a life well-lived is <a href="https://aeon.co/ideas/the-fast-track-to-a-life-well-lived-is-feeling-grateful" target="_blank">feeling grateful</a>. (Aeon) Thank you for being here. 
 
 
 
<h2>
A Heart Replete with Thankfulness</h2>
"Gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder." – G.K. Chesterton 
 
I'm starting a new section: each week, I'll express my gratitude for someone or something particularly meaningful. (See above) 
 
This week, I'm grateful for the <a href="https://newslettercreators.com/accelerator-course/" target="_blank">Newsletter Accelerator Course</a> from Josh Spector. It's a comprehensive course with over 20 lessons, from defining and naming your newsletter to identifying your target audience, increasing conversions and engagement, monetization, and more. 
 
Stop what you're doing. If you have a newsletter or are thinking about starting a newsletter, this is the only resource you'll need. 
 
Josh also writes the fantastic newsletter <a href="https://fortheinterested.com/" target="_blank">For The Interested</a>, which you should also check out. 
<div>
 </div>
 
 
<h2>
Recommended Reading/Listening</h2>
"Let me recommend this book." – Arthur Conan Doyle 
 
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rk0IGoIEn30/XZuH-eTAnzI/AAAAAAABINs/mUX2OSAeqeobmZlmjAxWojftPJrccSSFwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/elt.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rk0IGoIEn30/XZuH-eTAnzI/AAAAAAABINs/mUX2OSAeqeobmZlmjAxWojftPJrccSSFwCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/elt.png" width="200" /></a></div>
 
Who invented pants? How did ‘pink for girls’ and ‘blue for boys’ happen? What do dogs say when they bark? We all have questions about otherwise mundane or obscure things. Don't leave these mysteries unexplained. That's what <a href="https://gimletmedia.com/shows/every-little-thing" target="_blank">Every Little Thing</a> does. If you have a question that needs answering, call the ELT Help Line at 833-RING-ELT. 
 
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--clcV65uOxc/XZuICrYGblI/AAAAAAABINw/Ipes65eFuhUajkXmmhrTCI_rbwAEdow4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/indistractable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--clcV65uOxc/XZuICrYGblI/AAAAAAABINw/Ipes65eFuhUajkXmmhrTCI_rbwAEdow4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/indistractable.jpg" /></a></div>
 
What could you accomplish if you could stay focused? In <a href="https://amzn.to/2LrWgGC" target="_blank">Indistractable</a>, Nir Eyal reveals the hidden psychology driving us to distraction. He describes why solving the problem is not as simple as swearing off our devices: Abstinence is impractical and often makes us want more. In this empowering and optimistic book you'll find practical techniques to control your time and attention—helping you live the life you really want. 
 
 
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 <div style="text-align: center;">
I'm an executive advisor/coach. A corporate conscience. A C-suite whisperer.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
 </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Executives are in constant demand, have relentless deliverables, and try to set a long-term strategic course. All while trying to keep up with trends and deliver short-term value.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
 </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I bring Fortune 10 executive experience and an outside perspective to help you with growth and focus. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
 </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bring me in to work with your C-Suite, review your team structure, provide strategic advice, or speak at an event.</div>
</div>
 
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Disclosure: some links may be Amazon affiliates; we earn a small commission when you make a purchase.</div>

Too Much Information

The Parable of the Rich Fool by Rembrandt, 1627 (public domain - Wikimedia Commons) We're surrounded! By more data than ever befor...

Keeping Your Employees From Descending into Chaos or Apathy

Keeping Your Employees From Descending into Chaos or Apathy

Christian Dirce by Henryk Siemiradski, 1897 (public domain - Wikimedia Commons) Can you imagine living in a time when you had no idea ...

The Secret of My Succession

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GOIbSWVK5PE/XZLu-o4hktI/AAAAAAABIGQ/eiBoBCT_PsoJbe__fT1dwC8DdW-_Ok7VACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/John%2BTrumbull%2B-%2BGeneral%2BGeorge%2BWashington%2BResigning%2Bhis%2BCommission.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="1600" height="418" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GOIbSWVK5PE/XZLu-o4hktI/AAAAAAABIGQ/eiBoBCT_PsoJbe__fT1dwC8DdW-_Ok7VACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/John%2BTrumbull%2B-%2BGeneral%2BGeorge%2BWashington%2BResigning%2Bhis%2BCommission.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Capitol_rotunda#/media/File:General_George_Washington_Resigning_his_Commission.jpg">General George Washington Resigning His Commission</a> by John Trumbull, Architect of the Capitol, 1817 (public domain - Wikpedia)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
 
A brief note before we begin. 
 
I'm changing things up a bit. I'm officially retiring the name "The Full Monty" from my newsletter. It was a good run, but if you've been following along, these updates no longer feature scores of curated stories rolled into one update. There are still stories; just fewer of them. 
 
Excellent daily newsletters like <a href="http://morningbrew.com/daily/r/?kid=7bcbd7" target="_blank">Morning Brew</a> and <a href="https://nextdraft.com/" target="_blank">NextDraft</a> are much better equipped to keep up with the pace of industry news and provide a mass of curated stories. 
 
I suppose this change had been coming for a while, but I just wasn't ready to make it (or admit it). 
 
Where are my thoughts now? On bigger issues: strategy, leadership, integrity, and growth, sprinkled with valuable lessons from history and literature. In short, a chance for more <a href="https://www.scottmonty.com/2019/05/the-need-for-serenity.html" target="_blank">reflection</a> on what matters most to leaders. 
 
<div style="text-align: center;">
"It is not by muscle, speed, or physical dexterity that great things are achieved, but by reflection, force of character, and judgment."</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
– Cicero</div>
 
I'll be back again later this week. (If you can believe it, some subscribers are even opting for an exclusive <a href="http://patreon.com/scottmonty" target="_blank">third update</a> each week!) I hope you'll take this journey with me and encourage others to do the same. 
 
<hr />
 
We all have a finite amount of time on this earth. And an even more limited time in our jobs, despite a possible desire to remain on longer. 
 
At times, the ego can get in the way—even in the best leaders. But more so from those who might not be quite as competent. Notice I didn't say charismatic; there are far too many instances where charisma makes up for talent deficit disorder in leaders. 
 
The Roman Empire lasted nearly 1,000 years, but it had its fair share of leadership issues, particularly in the latter half. Consider: 
<ul>
<li>The year 69 A.D. was called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Year_of_the_Four_Emperors">The Year of the Four Emperors</a> (I won't name them all, because it'll get really tedious as we move on) </li>
<li>In 193 A.D., the Empire experienced <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Year_of_the_Five_Emperors">The Year of the Five Emperors</a> </li>
<li>And they only had to wait another 45 years for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Year_of_the_Six_Emperors">The Year of the Six Emperors</a> in 238 A.D. </li>
</ul>
 
What was causing all of this upheaval and a revolving door on Capitoline Hill? Power struggles from within the army and confusion over succession rules. 
 
In the past week, we saw turnover at some high-profile companies with at least one superstar CEO: Juul, eBay, and most notably WeWork <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2019/09/26/four-ceos-were-dethroned-just-this-week-the-days-of-the-powerful-untouchable-ceo-may-be-over/amp/">fired their chief executives</a>. 
 
Mismanagement, a new direction, incompetence—the reasons are many. But in light of this, the market is experiencing some hiccups. 
 
An orderly transition matters for all stakeholders, not just investors. Employees, suppliers, customers, shareholders: they all need <a href="https://www.scottmonty.com/2019/06/say-what-you-do-and-do-what-you-say.html">consistency</a>, <a href="https://www.scottmonty.com/2019/09/truth-and-consequences.html">transparency</a>, and a sense of <a href="https://www.scottmonty.com/2018/07/the-5-cs-of-earning-loyalty-amid.html">certainty</a> in an era of change and chaos. 
 
In handing in his commission as general and later <a href="https://lithub.com/george-washington-citizens-by-birth-or-choice-will-make-america-great/">relinquishing the presidency after two terms</a>, George Washington demonstrated leadership that didn't fall prey to ego (and was very conscious about such appearances). 
 
Ever since 1797, we've witnessed a peaceful transition of power from our nation's chief executives. As ever, Washington served as an example to them and to leaders everywhere about the need to put ego aside for the greater good. 
 
 
<hr />
 
<h2>
Industry Stories</h2>
"I have gathered a posy of other men's flowers, and nothing but the thread that binds them is my own." – Montaigne 
 
<h3>
Uncivil War</h3>
Facebook and YouTube will <a href="https://www.vox.com/recode/2019/9/26/20885783/facebook-twitter-youtube-policies-political-content">allow politicians to say whatever they want</a> on the platforms because the tech companies think their speech is "newsworthy." This puts them in the same camp as Twitter. No one wants to be a referee in a political cage match. (Recode) 
 
My take: Fasten your seatbelts. We're about to see the limits of this theory get tested. 
 
 
<h3>
Missed Information</h3>
In April 2018, Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s CEO, told Congress about an ambitious plan to share huge amounts of posts, links and other user data with researchers around the world so that they could study and flag disinformation on the site. Spoiler: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/29/technology/facebook-disinformation.html">they're not going to make the deadline</a>. (The New York Times) 
 
My take: Surprise, surprise, surprise. Hey, it's only democracy that's at stake. NBD. 
 
 
<h3>
Putting the Rhythm in Algorithm</h3>
Teenagers are all about TikTok, the video app that's like a reincarnation of Vine. It's fast. It's quirky. <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/09/30/how-tiktok-holds-our-attention">How does TikTok hold their attention?</a> (The New Yorker) 
 
My take: It's a powerful combination, centered around music and video. And parent company ByteDance is <a href="https://medium.com/whats-new-in-publishing/multi-million-spike-in-pageviews-the-company-behind-tiktok-is-now-shaking-up-news-aggregation-7ad80db372cb">shaking up news </a><a href="https://medium.com/whats-new-in-publishing/multi-million-spike-in-pageviews-the-company-behind-tiktok-is-now-shaking-up-news-aggregation-7ad80db372cb">aggregation</a>. 
 
 
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No one: ...</h3>
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Agency: You Need a Podcast</h3>
Okay, so even your mother may have a podcast now (mine does, but you need the password to my voicemail to listen to it), but there are still things the noobs need to know. <a href="https://www.adweek.com/digital/the-5-secrets-to-starting-a-new-podcast/">The five secrets to starting a new podcast</a>. (AdWeek) 
 
My take: My own secret (having started four podcasts) and contained in the article above is: figure out what your story is so that it's interesting to people who don't know you. Also, check out the <a href="https://www.podcastoftheyearawards.com/">AdWeek Podcast of the Year Awards 2019</a> (I'm on the jury). 
 
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wxAkv5-yyIo/XZLxXSoFkXI/AAAAAAABIGc/AlHUob0CDZMZkaUvQO3PzIxKsC9NXPYYwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/AdWeek%2BPodcast%2Bof%2Bthe%2BYear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="1600" height="157" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wxAkv5-yyIo/XZLxXSoFkXI/AAAAAAABIGc/AlHUob0CDZMZkaUvQO3PzIxKsC9NXPYYwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/AdWeek%2BPodcast%2Bof%2Bthe%2BYear.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
 
 
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Not to be Confused with AdWeek</h3>
A helpful summary of <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/shamahyder/2019/09/27/what-you-missed-during-ad-week-in-nyc/#c6a36be29af4">seven important takeaways from Advertising Week</a> in New York last week, including improved analytics, the difference in generational perceptions about privacy, and more. (Forbes) 
 
My take: Much of the above information comes from the <a href="https://www.adobe.com/content/dam/www/us/en/avstg/pdfs/voiceofgenerations.pdf">Voices of the Generations</a> report from Adobe. Last week's link was broken, so be sure to check it out. 
 
 
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Say WHAT?</h3>
Amazon announced that Alexa users will be able to <a href="https://venturebeat.com/2019/09/25/amazon-will-allow-alexa-users-to-automatically-delete-voice-recordings/">automatically delete voice recordings</a> after 3 months or 18 months. (Venture Beat) 
 
My take: It's a good move for privacy, but it makes you wonder how much they've been hanging onto to date. Also, don't miss the news that <a href="https://bigthink.com/technology-innovation/alexa-samuel-jackson">Samuel L. Jackson will be the first celebrity Alexa voice</a>. "Say 'what' AGAIN!" (Big Think) 
 
 
<h3>
Old On</h3>
Older generations have the benefit of the long view, a better understanding of strategy, and more world experience. <a href="https://hbr.org/2019/09/the-case-for-hiring-older-workers">The case for hiring older workers</a>. (Harvard Business Review) 
 
My take: I call it #TimelessWisdom. And it's what I apply to the C-suite. 
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<h2>
For the Curious Mind</h2>
"Curiosity is the lust of the mind." – Thomas Hobbes 
 
<a href="https://www.history.com/news/whistleblowers-law-founding-fathers">The first case for whistleblower protection</a> was in 1777. In this case, they were 10 American sailors and marines who had reported improper behavior by the Continental Navy’s most powerful man. He was of "quick temper, misconduct and poor character," and "a man of no principles, and quite unfit for the important trust reposed in him." (History) You don't say... 
 
 
Before there was Moby-Dick, there was the whaleship Essex, which was attacked and sunk by a whale. Only five crew members survived, returning with a tale of <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-true-life-horror-that-inspired-moby-dick-17576/">starvation, madness, and cannibalism</a> that inspired Herman Melville. (Smithsonian) 
 
 
From the times liquor might be served in Fall River, MA to the example of a man who was executed because of a punctuation mistake, in <a href="https://amzn.to/2n9GZkw" target="_blank">Semicolon </a>Cecelia Watson provides <a href="https://www.nationalreview.com/magazine/2019/09/30/the-art-of-punctuation/">a brief history of the origin and ultimate acceptance of the semicolon</a>. (National Review) 
 
 
One of my favorite words is flâneur. "<a href="https://www.laphamsquarterly.org/roundtable/between-streets">Between the Streets</a>" is a look at wandering the streets as a spectator who assumes the position of being able to be part of the spectacle and yet command it at the same time. (Lapham's Quarterly) 
 
 
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<h2>
Recommended Reading/Listening</h2>
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"Let me recommend this book." – Arthur Conan Doyle 
 
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<a href="https://www.lawfareblog.com/topic/lawfare-podcast">The Lawfare Podcast</a> is the weekly audio production of the Lawfare staff in cooperation with the Brookings Institution. Podcast episodes include interviews with policymakers, scholars, journalists and analysts, events and panel discussions on the topic of national security. Given the news lately, it's a good idea to have a companion show such as this to help make sense of everything. 
 
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George Washington’s Farewell Address was a prophetic letter from a “parting friend” to his fellow citizens about the forces he feared could destroy our democracy: hyper-partisanship, excessive debt, and foreign wars. He called for unity among “citizens by birth or choice,” advocated moderation, defended religious pluralism, proposed a foreign policy of independence (not isolation), and proposed that education is essential to democracy. <a href="https://amzn.to/2o0ZOX0">Washington's Farewell: The Founding Father's Warning to Future Generations</a> by John Avlon. 
 
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I'm an executive advisor/coach. A corporate conscience. A C-suite whisperer.</div>
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Executives are in constant demand, have relentless deliverables, and try to set a long-term strategic course. All while trying to keep up with trends and deliver short-term value.</div>
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I bring Fortune 10 executive experience and an outside perspective to help you with growth and focus. </div>
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Bring me in to work with your C-Suite, review your team structure, provide strategic advice, or speak at an event.</div>
 
 
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