Tony Akel was the Dean of the School of Business at Long Island University in the eighties. He recruited me to join the faculty there and I was chairman of the marketing department for many years. He became a good friend and mentor. We were at a formal party soon after I joined LIU, and I noticed …
You are Addicted!
I did not know her age, but she looked to be in her mid-fifties. She was weary and there were care worn lines in her face. It was hot despite the air-conditioning and her make-up was running. She had a huge pile of quarters in a casino bucket in front of her and she reached out mechanically to pick …
Nothing is Forever!
On a recent Monday morning meet Marshall Goldsmith raised an intriguing question. Why do people stop doing something when it has been proven to work? Two MG100 coaches had instituted practices that led their companies to unbelievable success. When they left, their respective companies went …
More on ‘Is the Universe Benevolent’
A few weeks ago, I wrote a blog inviting readers to think that they were living in a friendly universe. A universe that was aware of their existence and one that was well disposed toward them. A benevolent universe. I received many responses. Each detailed something that had happened to the …
Lessons From a Snow Globe and Other Insights
Have you ever seen a snow globe? It generally has a picturesque scene with pretty houses and neat roads. Shake it and it grows hazy as if snow was falling. I saw a good snow globe once where it took hours for the ‘snow’ to settle and the houses to be visible again. Hold that scene in mind. I …
Now I Understand!
There is an ancient saying, attributed to Lao Tzu, that did not make much sense to me when I first heard it. I knew it had truth embedded in it, so I filed it away. I could not understand it, but I sensed that there was great value in it. Now I understand what a priceless gem it …
What do happy people do differently to be happy in a hectic world?
What do happy people do differently, to be happy and preserve their happiness in an hectic world? Is there a certain type of habits, personality or set of circumstances which leads to a happier life? Acceptance is key to success and happiness in life and business, but we often misconceive what …
Wake Up!
Are you bothered about the state of the world? Heat is unrelenting in many countries and soaring temperatures are making life a misery for those without air-conditioning. And those who do have air-conditioning are stuck in their houses and not particularly happy. There is economic turmoil, …
Is the Universe Really Friendly?
Einstein supposedly said that the most important question you could ever ask is “Is the universe friendly?” We all know persons who believe that the universe is set up to frustrate them and engineers this in the most ingenious ways. Thus, if they decide to go on a vacation, the universe arranges …