London is one of my favorite cities. I stayed there for months at a time when I was teaching at London Business School and, before the pandemic, visited at least four or five times a year. I have not been there since 2019 and I do miss it. I met Laurence Shorter, an ex-McKinsey consultant with …
A Dynamite Quote!
I was the opening speaker, last week, at the Legacy of Significance conference organized by Brian and Jean Brault. Brian is an entrepreneur and was at high organizational levels – including Global Chairman – of the Entrepreneur’s Organization. Jean has been involved in coaching for years and …
Who Are You to ‘Forgive’ Anyone?
Here is something for you to think about. The overwhelming majority of your problems are caused by your living in a me-centered universe. Hear me out before you start protesting. I have heard it all. You are not like that. You do not live in a me-centered universe. In fact, you live – or try …
Should You Be Content? Or Strive for More?
There is a tale circulating on the Internet that has gone viral many times over. It is well known in MBA circles. Here is one version of the story: Once upon a time there was a successful businessman who went on vacation to a beautiful coastal village. One day, while walking along the beach, he …
The Solution to a Mystery
Top business schools are not warm, fuzzy places. There is intense competition for grades and sharp elbows are used frequently. When I was a Ph.D. candidate at Columbia Business School, I needed an obscure academic article. The professor in one of my courses told us that there would be a question …
I Cannot Remember the Last Time I Felt So Good!
Have you ever had someone say or do something that made your day? Perhaps it was a sales assistant at the clothing store who told you that the outfit you were trying looked really great on you and then went out to get you the right matching accessories. And you sensed that she was not simply …
Here is How You Go About Being. Just Being.
My blog last week touched a nerve for some. One irate gentleman felt I was dead wrong and practically challenged me to gladiatorial combat in the form of a debate. He also impugned my qualifications to write about purpose because I did not reference ‘research’ or provide ‘expert citations’ to …
The Purpose of Life is to Be! Just *Be*.
Here is a question I get asked all the time and especially after one of my talks, “Professor Rao, how do I find my purpose? How do I find meaning in my life?” What is the purpose of life? How would you respond if someone asked you this at a cocktail party? Many would say something like “The …
It Made No Sense. Then I had a Profound Awakening!
Great teachers frequently use stories to make their point powerfully. The Indian epics Ramayana and Mahabharata are chockful of parables. The Buddha and Jesus used them to telling effect. The Jesuit priest, Anthony DeMello has had a profound influence on me, and he was a master raconteur. Some of …