Managing Your Career: The End of Privacy

There was a minor kerfluffle with an organization with which I’m associated; a blog stalker noticed that a post I wrote quoted somebody from the organization by name (accurately, and within context, btw) and took exception.

Like the swimmer who admires the beauty in the whites of a sharks’ teeth before realizing they are about to be eaten, there are far bigger issues for anyone to worry about than someone quoting somebody else accurately on a blog.Read the rest

RIP Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs changed millions of lives. I know; he changed mine too.

From time to time people come along who greatly inform you, either by their immediate presence or the impact of their work.

Jobs did both; from the “insanely great” products he strove (and drove others crazy) to build to the example he set as a maverick (“pirate” might be his preferred youthful self-description).… Read the rest

[Tips for CEOs] Practice, Practice, Practice

Steve Jobs on a bad day is a better presenter than 99% of the stage show CEOs in the world.

Is it his theme setting, demonstrated enthusiasm, using an outline, and ability to make numbers meaningful as suggested by communications coach Carmine Gallo’s post “Deliver a Presentation like Steve Jobs?”

No.

And men’s NBA shooting star extraordinaire Dirk Nowitzki – he of the pirouettes and one-footed shots and upset NBA championship by his Dallas Mavericks over the heavily favored Miami Heat.… Read the rest

Show Up Early – Something Good is Bound to Happen

Cover of Woody Allen

Woody Allen’s famous line – “80% of success is showing up” – has a correlate from Edward Tufte; “Show up early, something good is bound to happen.”

While showing up early for a cocktail party may not be the best advice, taking both pieces of advice to heart (and into action) from Allen and Tufte about any other business, presentation, or community event/activity gives you a leg up on any number of things.… Read the rest