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A Jazzman Sees a Business Consultant

Some time ago, I had a conversation with a jazz musician, who I’ve known for a long time. That was back when I published the question of the month. Anyway, our discussion went like this: Dr. Dillof: I understand that you have a question. Joe: Hey, Dr. D., what’s happening? Dr. Dillof: Is that your question? Do you really intend …

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What Have You Unlearned Today?

It is axiomatic that successful people take action, but as Paul Harvey used to say, “now for the rest of the story.” Successful leaders — in business, politics, education, military, and everywhere else — have always coupled action with reflection. Alexander the Great had Aristotle as his teacher, mentor and political advisor. And there have been thoughtful leaders from the emperor …

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The Limits of Leadership

It’s not surprising that there exist almost as many books on leadership as there are books offering weight-loss diets. That’s because no theory of leadership — when efforts are made to actually implement it — ever quite succeeds. Most often the “change initiatives,” that it inspires will be short-lived. Or, even worse, its implementation will create untoward consequences that the theory’s …

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How to Laugh All the Way to the Bank

It’s been observed that “Ha! Ha! and Aha! have much in common. There is, indeed, a curious relation between getting a joke and the act of discovery. That secret something — that prompts us to laugh and causes us to be amazed by what we discover — also offers a valuable clue to anyone seeking lucrative business and investment opportunities. …