The Idiot Factor and Brain Boosters

In my previous post ("New Year, New Habits") I wrote about the quiet power of choosing your regular practices deliberately. Now we go to the next level: Any old practices are not enough. The question is, What practices? Brain research tells us that you have to go beyond your comfort zone and into unknown territory to get performance breakthroughs.

New Year, New Habits

A new year calls for new habits. Habits and routines have a negative connotation; but researchers have found that new habits are good for the brain, innovation, even creativity. Taking stock of your regular practices might raise your leadership game to a new level.

"Leading Leaders": Your Holiday Gift

I hope you've had a great year: productive, meaningful, full of valuable learning. As a token of my gratitude to 37,000+ loyal readers, please accept a year-end gift: my latest book Leading Leaders: The Art & Science of Boosting Return on People (ROP). May this small book help you (and your people) achieve your (and their) boldest dreams this coming year. 

$140+ Million Bribes: How to Hold Blatter & Co. Accountable?

The biggest corruption scandal in sports history just got bigger when BBC Television disclosed evidence that FIFA officials had taken $100 million in bribes. How can Sepp Blatter and his cronies be held accountable for their Qatar (rhymes with "gutter") politics?

From Starbucks to Barbucks: A Venti Chardonnay, Anyone?

Hard hit by the recession, lagging sales, and fast-food competitors at its heels, the coffee giant is testing a new approach: Sell local wine and beer. Will the scheme help open new markets and revive sales, or will it turn off core customers?

Craziest Campaign Speech Ever?

Phil Davidson really wants to be the treasurer of Stark County, Ohio. Really. It's a textbook case of how not to speak to your audience. What could Davidson (and ultimately all of us) learn from Martin Luther King's ¨I Have a Dream¨ speech? The Do's and Don'ts of passionate speaking.

Eliot Spitzer: Sinner Recovers With Own TV Show

In 2008, then-New York governor Eliot Spitzer was brought down by his trysts with high-priced callgirl Ashley Dupre after pledging a new era of morality and clean government. This week, he launched his own television talk show. Is the former ¨Client 9¨ entitled to his comeback? 

Is HP ¨Vindictive¨ or Right to Sue?

Mark Hurd continues to catalyze conflict. HP ousted Hurd amid allegations of sexual harassment. Now it is suing him for violating his non-compete agreement when he signed on with competitor Oracle. Oracle's Larry Ellison calls HP's lawsuit against its fired ex-chief ¨vindictive.¨ Who is right?

Million-Dollar Whistleblower Rewards: Good or Bad?

Through a new reward program for whistleblowers, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission offers multi-million-dollar payments for reporting fraud. Innovative crime-fighting program or state-sponsored bounty for disloyal employees? 

Bibi Aisha: Face of Afghan Culture Clash or ¨War Porn¨?

Is the disfigured face of the 19-year-old Bibi Aisha on the cover of Time magazine a symbol of what happens if the United States abandons Afghanistan, or the latest case of manipulative media ¨war porn¨?