STRATEGY CENTRAL

Conventional wisdom works in conventional circumstances, but it misleads when circumstances change.  Clayton Christensen

One of my core assumptions about life is that there is no problem-free.  Every idea or "solution" comes with its own unique problem set.  You can’t choose problem-free.  All you can do is choose the set of problems you’d rather have.  So when I saw this quote over on Tom Peters’ blog…I knew I had to put it here!

"There is always an easy solution to every human problem—neat, plausible, and wrong."  H.L. Mencken

Do not wish to be anything but what you are, and try to be that perfectly.  St. Francis de Sales

If you were hiring for a journey from which you might not return…what kind of want ad would you run?  What about this ad for Ernest Shackleton’s South Pole expedition?  I’d say he was spot on…but definitely not a master of spin.  Unless he was only looking for heroic on the Strengthsfinder!

 Men Wanted: For hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of
complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honour and
recognition in case of success.

Truth in advertising was part of his deal.  Gotta love it!

Just subscribed to something new from Tom Peters.  He has a daily email with a quote of the day.  Good stuff…something to think about.  Loved today’s idea:

Today’s triumph (or setback) is just one step in a long journey.

That was a good word for me today.  Maybe for you too.

You can sign up for the daily quote right here.

Found this one over at Kem Meyer’s blog:

God always takes the simplest way.  Albert Einstein

Interesting little streak of simplicity quotes.  Here’s yesterdays.

Really finding some good stuff in my investigation of Church Unique by Will Mancini.  There’s been a lot written and said lately about simplicity.  How about this quote from Oliver Wendell Holmes?

I would not give a fig for simplicity on this side of complexity, but I would give my life for simplicity on the other side of complexity.

Simplicity "on this side of complexity" is less than genuine.  On the "other side of complexity" it’s the whole story. 

What’s the difference between predicting the future and forecasting?  Take a look at this quote from futurist Paul Saffo:

Prediction
is concerned with future certainty; forecasting looks at how hidden currents in
the present signal possible changes in direction for companies, societies, or
the world at large. Thus, the primary goal of forecasting is to identify the
full range of possibilities, not a limited set of illusory certainties.  Six Rules of Effective Forecasting

Think your organization has some hidden currents?  Do you know what they are?

Thanks to Kare Anderson for the tip about Paul Saffo!  You can order the article right here.

Frances Hesselbein was a guest on the Leading News podcast  last week.  Quite a gal.  Not sure if you know her.  Former CEO of the Girl Scouts.  Legendary example of the Drucker disciples.  I’ll post a link to the audio from the call as soon as it’s available.  Listening to her was very similar to hearing John Wooden speak.  Wisdom pours out.  Here’s the Drucker quote she pulled out when asked to talk about 2015.

"I never predict.  I just look out the window and see what’s visible – but not yet seen."

We have grasped the mystery of the atom and rejected the Sermon on the Mount. Ours is a world of
nuclear giants and ethical infants. We know more about war than we know
about peace, more about killing that we know about living.  General Omar Bradley