personal development

Duke’s President Offers Actionable Philosophy for Life and Work

Harvey Chimoff 1 Comment
Credit: Duke University.

Credit: Duke University.

It was a really pragmatic gift, but maybe tough to appreciate at age 18.

In his welcoming comments to the Class of 2019, Duke University President Richard Brodhead dispensed some wise philosophy.  He encouraged the new students to adopt a set of profound and powerful life and work ideas that are applicable to all of us.

Brodhead’s address, titled Building a Life at Duke, was themed off the massive construction and renovation underway on campus.  It provided an apt metaphor for his message.

I’ve culled and organized Four Key Takeaways.

1.  Expect Change & Embrace Where It Can Take You

If you want to make room for a new, improved version of yourself, you will have to tolerate some disruption— of your personal habits, of your preexisting networks, even of assumptions that once seemed certain. Disruption is not fun, but it is the opener of possibilities.

> I agree about the importance of disruption as a positive change enabler.  Focus on where it will take you.  It may be more fun than you think. Continue reading →

9 Thought-Provoking Leadership & Personal Growth Ideas for 2013

Harvey Chimoff 1 Comment

As we close 2012 and enter 2013, many of us will take stock of how we’re doing as marketing and business leaders, and perhaps in our personal lives as well.

In that spirit, I’d like to share a few thought-provoking ideas from my recent reading, including from Jeff Bezos and Clayton Christensen, that resonated with me and could prove valuable to you.  While they’re mostly for your professional consideration, you may also find some personal overlap.   I’ve organized these ideas into nine categories for easy processing.

Good luck and Happy New Year.

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1.  Figure Out How To Get Real Feedback & Input. 

A.  Doug Parker – CEO of US Airways

I try really hard now to have forums that allow employees to talk to me, rather than me being in front of 1,000 people. Four times a month, I put myself in a room with 30 or 40 pilots and flight attendants, and I talk for 10 minutes; they talk for 50 (emphasis added). It’s not just listening out of respect — you can’t imagine how much better you can do your job when you operate this way. When you’re leading a big organization like an airline, there’s a whole lot you can miss, so you have to start by listening to people. Then you can decide what the right course is.  (Source: Fortune)

B.  David Boies – Superlawyer, founder of Boies Schiller & Flexner

Anyone who’s worth talking to is worth listening to.  (Source: Fortune) Continue reading →

You Can Do It – Kipling’s Prescription for Success

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I was recently introduced to Kipling’s “If” poem, and its theme is apropos for my last post of 2011.

So, I’ll spare you the predictions and Top 10 lists that you can get everywhere else.  Instead, watch this short video and draw out what makes sense for you in your professional and personal life about perseverance, leadership, inspiration, and as my Little League baseball coach Mr. Jim Ake used to preach, The Three Ds:  dedication, desire and determination.

Best wishes for a healthy and terrific 2012.

Headline

Don’t wait until the end of each year to engage in a bit of personal assessment and introspection.

Harvey Chimoff is a hands-on marketing leader and business-wide collaborator who builds marketing capabilities in B2B/B2C organizations that drive customer success.