2023-11-11 Links

Daily Reads:

HBR: How to listen better We are always distracted, even when the non-verbal cues we offer can make it seem like we’re paying attention.

Roger Martin: The Work and Workings of a Leadership Team I’ve been observing the functioning (or dysfunctional nature) of the leadership team, and this blog helped me crystallise what I meant by the dysfunction. He distinguishes between the LT as individuals responsible for their own domains (requiring explicit responsibility) , LT as colleagues (requiring collaboration skils), and LT as a collective (working as a project team).

Seth Godin: The Amateur Presenter If you don’t have something to say, stay away and send a memo. If you do, don’t worry or apologise for being nervous. Speak to one person. And other gold.
The challenge isn’t in becoming a sort of pretty good professional presenter. The challenge is becoming you.

HT Jeremy Keith for these links
Matt May: To hell with the business case and Emily Gorcenski: How I read 40 books and extinguished the world on fire

Prof. Scott Galloway: Short Form War How young and old people view the war between Israel and Hamas

Richard Merrick’s postcard from the edge begins with a beautiful point: _People want purpose, businesses want profit. In between those two polarities lies the possibility of both purpose and profit… _

QOTD:

“In times of change, learners inherit the earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.”
– Eric Hoffer

Music:

Sjaella – Northern Lights ethereal harmonies!

2023-11-10 Links

Daily Reads:

Doc Searls has a hilarious take on some ‘possible verities

Om Malik on the Humane AI computer, which he believes is ushering in a new paradigm of personal computing, with voice at the centre of user interaction.

QOTD:

It is criminal to steal a purse, daring to steal a fortune, a mark of greatness to steal a crown. The blame diminishes as the guilt increases.
-Johan Christoph Friedrich von Schiller

Music:

Elgar’s Cello concerto, 1st movement performed by Julian Lloyd Webber.

2023-11-09

Daily Reads:

The OpenAI Keynote from a couple of days ago is indeed interesting.
Dharmesh Shah CEO of Hubspot is an investor in Open AI and this post about building a defensible AI business – or rather any defensible business is interesting reading

This is wonderful writing about a horrid man.

QOTD:

The magic you’re looking for is in the work you’re avoiding.
– Chris Williamson

Music:

Mark Knopfler and Ruth Moody: Wherever I Go

2023-11-08

Daily Reads:

Emotional labelling is an art form. The most empathetic people I know seem to be able to read quick changes in facial expressions, and respond to them.

There’s been breathtaking commentary about the OpenAI keynote from yesterday, and all the features launched. Ben Thompson’s take, a day after is an interesting, thoughtful read.

QOTD:

Your voice dries up if you don’t use it.
-Patti Page, singer

Music:

And here’s Patti Page, singing Tennessee Waltz

2023-11-07 Links

Out of social commitments and back into more sensible hours from tomorrow. I’ve been able to do a bit of reading today on my commute today.

Daily Reads:

Jose Gilgado: The beauty of finished software

Tendayi Viki: When should an innovator quit their job?

Colin Newlyn: I canna hold her, Captain

Charles Handy in conversation

QOTD:

A leader shapes and shares a vision, which gives point to the work of others.
– Charles Handy

Music:

Watchhouse (erstwhile Mandolin Orange) perform Golden Embers Live

2023-11-04 Links

I’ve just started reading Pre-Suasion by Robert Cialdini, & Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss. Several life events happening around me, and I’m the designated driver and logistic co-ordinator so I’ll be back to this when I can.

Rajesh Setty’s post from 2014 re-surfaced for me today – How I learned to make 300+ introductions per year

The quote on Wordsmith caught my attention:

The sons of torture victims make good terrorists.
– Andre Malraux, novelist, adventurer, art historian, and statesman (3 Nov 1901-1976)

2023-11-02 Links

I claimed feedreader bankruptcy today – over 500 unread subscriptions. Rather than feel overwhelmed, I decided simply to start afresh tomorrow. No FOMO – I trust that anything I should know about will come my way.

Daily Reads:

Prof Aswath Damodaran is a master craftsman of the stories of valuations (aren’t valuations compelling stories after all?) The third edition of the Tesla story

QOTD:

Our cemeteries are full of people who prayed to live.
– Annie Laurie Gaylor

Music:

The Doobie Brothers: Long Train Runnin

2023-10-31 Links

No other reading besides the Daily Stoic until late this evening. I did find time to browse a book store in the city, and get my own copy of Robert Cialdini’s "Pre-suasion" Cialdini’s other book, Influence, has been such an influence on the way I think 🙂

Daily Reads:

Cassie Robinson’s post about Kinship Discovery – Guiding Principles at the Paul Hamlyn Foundation resonates strongly. Centering the possibilities and opportunities, not the money is a heading that caught my attention, because that articulates how I’m viewing my current employment situation.

QOTD:

"The Human Being is born with an inclination towards virtue."
– Musonius Rufus

Music:

White Horse Guitar Club’s version of Townes Van Zandt’s song "If I Needed You"

2023-10-30 Links

Daily Reads:

BCG report on how people can create – and destroy – value with GenAI People seem to mistrust the technology in areas where it can contribute massive value and to trust it too much in areas where the technology isn’t competent.

Cal Newport’s podcast (I’ve not heard it yet) includes this statement: what habits you can put in place now to ensure you’re satisfied 5 to 10 years in the future

Why do we not hear much about AI from Apple? Fanlad John Gruber speculates

QOTD:

The only thing one can give an artist is leisure in which to work. To give an artist leisure is actually to take part in his creation.
– Ezra Pound

Music:

Perfect Fourth – Take Five Harmonica Cover
Joy!

2023-10-29 Links

Daily Reads:

QOTD:

Nothing pleases people more than to go on thinking what they have always thought, and at the same time imagine that they are thinking something new and daring: it combines the advantage of security and the delight of adventure.
– T S Eliott

Music: