A Season of Thanksgiving

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.”  

--Ralph Waldo Emerson

If, as someone has written, "gratitude" is a state of being grateful while "thanksgiving" is an expression of that gratitude, then as we begin the holiday season, I want to acknowledge the following:

Our teachers and professors

Those individuals invested extra time in me and nurtured our intellectual development, curiosity, and creativity. One stands out: Marian Bolhouse, my 1st-grade teacher in Benton Harbor, Michigan, inspires much of our learning to this day. It was the first and last time I got all A's, or back then, +'s.  Too bad I didn't have a Miss Bolhouse every year.

Calvin Britain School, Benton Harbor, Michigan (1954-1960)

College professors Gunnell Jordan, Joseph Nielson, Linford Marquart, and Robert Starcher at Olivet Nazarene College combined character, academic achievement, and critical thinking in the liberal arts tradition. 

Dr. Edgar H. Schein, Sloan Fellows Professor of Management Emeritus, MIT, for being a trusted shadow advisor.

Professors Gautam Kaul (finance), Scott DeRue, and Maxim Sytch (leadership) from the University of Michigan are taking us to new levels of learning--online.

Our references

Our first real job in the business was at General Motors. But, of course, that would not have been possible without a neighbor and friend of the family, Howard Johnson. No, not that Howard Johnson. This Howard was a general foreman at what is now known as Flint Metal on Bristol Road in the city of the same name.

Most summer clerks who worked in plant offices were General Motors Institute students (Kettering University). Or family members of management. Neither applied to me. But I could type. Howard told my father he would do his best to get me an interview, and I was on my own from there. He did follow up, and I got a job. That's a lesson in the value of long-standing relationships and the strength of third-party referrals.  

Others would come along like Wendell and Jean Frerichs, Kankakee, Illinois, who also opened doors of opportunity.

All have motivated us to do the same whenever possible.

Our clients

Where would we be without our clients for the past 37 years?  It's hard to state what it means to be allowed inside a business or nonprofit to work in some capacity. They trust you with their thoughts, ideas, and plans for the future. 

It's a chance to contribute with the hope they get something from your advice that equals what you receive from their experiences. Asking the right questions, exploring possibilities, and sharing what's learned from a wider community are a few ways an outsider can assist.

A consultant sometimes proposes, but a client disposes.

I am grateful for engagements that have come our way and those that went in a different direction. There's a reason for what you have and don't have. Understanding that truth comes only in retrospect.

Our readers

This is the 78th post since Strategist Post was launched in 2009. Thank you for making time to read and provide feedback.    

Our family

Nothing like having quality parents to set an example for your life. My father, Russell Sr., was a pastor and theologian. And our mother, Lydia, worked diligently inside and outside the home. Both lived by faith--with compassionate hearts. 

Then there is the love and encouragement of my wife, Chris. And a wonderful family.

Our support

From friends and neighbors. Doctors and lawyers. Mentors and mechanics. Even the kindness of strangers. All make life and work possible.

Who has been helpful to you? Do they know?

While not always easy to do, life's circumstances have taught us "to give thanks continuously," as a season without end.

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The Narcissistic Leader

"The greatest need of our time is to clean out the enormous mass of mental and emotional rubbish that clutters our minds." 

--Thomas Merton

Between the upcoming U.S. presidential election and the social-psychological make-up of 83 million millennials, representing more than one-quarter of the nation's population, are we witnessing an increased level of self-centered behavior?

Does this mean "narcissism" is rising among the general population?

According to an article in the October 2016 issue of Psychology Today, the growing consensus among psychologists is--no. It's estimated that narcissistic behavior, a term originating in Greek mythology when Narcissus fell in love with his image in a pool of water (see below), is found among only 1% of the population, with the percentage remaining about the same since tracking studies began.

Narcissus viewing his own image.

So what exactly is narcissism?

Craig Malkin, a lecturer at Harvard Medical School and author of Rethinking Narcissism, says, "It's the capacity to see ourselves through rose-colored glasses." And Dr. Malkin makes clear that it's a trait each of us exhibits to a greater or lesser degree.    

That narcissism can be helpful is proven in studies. For example, a healthy dose can fuel confidence, allowing us to take risks, like seeking a promotion. 

It's feeling too special that causes problems.

Researcher, Sandy Hotchkiss, identified seven deadly sins of narcissism:

1. Shamelessness

2. Magical thinking

3. Arrogance

4. Envy

5. Entitlement

6. Expectation

7. Bad boundaries

Personality traits

In The New York Times, Daniel Goleman describes good managers as easy to spot. He quotes Robert Hogan from the Tulsa Institute of Behavioral Sciences, who says, "Besides intelligence and a knack for strategic planning, they have enormous charm and energy. They have charisma."

Dr. Hogan goes on to say that charisma has its dark side. "So top executives who look good to their peers and their bosses and who do well on most assessments turn out to be terrible for their companies," he said. "These are flawed managers, whose glittering image masks a dark, destructive side, Dr. Hogan added. "They are costly, creating poor morale, excessive turnover, and reducing productivity. Sometimes they can ruin a company altogether." 

As an author, Ira Chelaff once observed:  "Arrogant leadership is toxic to an organization. It looks like strength but is a debilitating weakness."    

How dark? 

Charisma can bring out the worst in subordinates:

Groupthink. Workers feel they must censor what they say in meetings.

Distortions of the truth. Twisting facts to please the boss.

Tension. Employees don't feel like themselves in the boss's company.

Humorlessness. They are grim; there's no joking around with the boss.

Blind loyalty. Excessive demands are made to show commitment.

Source:  Wharton Center for Applied Research

Any hope?

Rebecca Webber, the author of the PT article, says yes.

"If a fragile self is the true underpinning of narcissism," Webber writes, "one way to strengthen it is with self-compassion, which leads to more stable feelings of self-worth, as opposed to self-esteem." Webber is coming close to the idea of "grace,"--giving and receiving what's needed.

Dr. Malkin, a specialist from Harvard, offers this insight, "By increasing security, narcissism drops." 

"Perhaps the difference between good and bad leaders comes down to a distinction between healthy and unhealthy narcissism," Daniel Goleman concludes. 

To achieve healthy leadership, should we add "humility" to the strength of character? Then, our reflection in the pool of water might begin dissolving, over time, into something less arrogant, more sincere, and more self-aware. 

That kind of arduous change in behavior and spirit would go a long way in clearing out "the rubbish of our minds."

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Hailing the Autonomous Car

Are you ready for self-driving cars? 

Are they ready for you?

On 22 August 2016, Singapore's nuTonomy, a business founded by researchers from MIT, said it had begun testing a free taxi-hailing service in a local business district of about 0.8 miles surrounded by tech and biotechnology companies. 

The public road test, announced in The Wall Street Journal, supposedly beat Uber Technologies' U.S. trial using its own driver and a tech observer, to be conducted in Pittsburgh, PA, by a few days.

Articles on self-driving cars are beginning to increase in tech and automotive publications and mainstream media, such as USA Today. To illustrate, a recent Today editorial about the need for government regulators, like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), to proceed with caution. That agency is investigating the fatal crash of a Florida driver operating a Tesla car with the Autopilot system. 

As we post the first of the month, there's news that Google is moving into the ride-sharing market in the San Francisco area, competing with what appears to be its former business partner, Uber. Google uses the Waze app, which it owns, to pair fellow commuters for less money than it would cost to take Uber or Lyft.  

Stay tuned.

More to the story

Perhaps the place to begin is with a definition of terms; NHTSA's defined five levels of autonomy based on how many car functions are computer controlled. There are five levels, 0 to 4, and most auto companies (GM, Ford, and Tesla) aim to reach level 4 approval.

Here's a description of each level with examples provided by Bloomberg Business Week:

Level 0--1972 Chevrolet Vega 

Driver:  The driver is in complete control of the car at all times

Vehicle:  Automatic transmission optional

Level 1--1998 Mercedes S5000

Driver: The driver can regain control or stop the car more quickly than when driving without the automated function or functions

Vehicle:  Automation of one or more specific control functions, such as assisted braking                

Level 2--2016 Tesla Model S

Driver: The driver shares control as an intermittent operator; you'll want to take your hands off the wheel, but you shouldn't

Vehicle:  Partial automation of at least two primary control functions working together (e.g., adaptive cruise control with lane centering) to relieve the driver of tasks

Level 3--Uber, Google

Driver:  Professionally trained operator for ride-hailing service cedes complete control during certain conditions.

Vehicle:  Steering, throttle, braking, and other critical functions are automated; the car can monitor changes in road conditions (e.g., construction) that might require the human to retake control

Level 4--JohnnyCab (a 2084 robot taxi from Total Recall)

Driver:  Driver selects a destination, doesn't control car functions

Vehicle:  Fully automated; designed to perform all safety-critical functions and monitor road conditions for an entire trip; responsibility for safe operation rests solely with the car.

Summary

There'll be more hype from innovators and investors and concern from consumer safety researchers as this new way of driving or riding unfolds. Indeed, regulators and politicians will weigh in as well.

Who will lose and gain employment as Silicon Valley moves to the Midwest and other areas?

While only a foolish mind would try to predict the outcome, one thing is sure. Big businesses (Apple, GM, Ford, Tesla, Toyota, Google, Uber, Lyft, Intel, Mercedes Benz, Honda, and Delphi) are making big bets (nearly a billion dollars in 2016) that autonomous vehicles are the future. 

At what point will consumers, government regulators, insurers, and Wall Street, agree? 

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Why Good Paying Jobs are Elusive

Good jobs, like good people, are still hard to find.  This is despite the current unemployment rate of 4.9% at the end of June 2016 (versus 9.5% in June 2009). 

The struggle for many is simply not having the right skills, experience, and education to match jobs in demand.

Here are the top ten job categories in terms of earnings growth, inflation-adjusted, from 2004-2014 (average annual income, 2015):

1. Physicians assistants ($99,270)
2. Occupational therapists ($81,690)
3. Financial managers (($134,330)
4. Marketing managers ($140,660)
5. Medical and health services managers ($106,070)
6. Computer- and information systems managers ($141,000)
7. All other computer occupations ($87,310)
8. Sales engineers ($107,160)
9. Administrative-services managers ($94,840)
10. Family and general practitioners ($192,120)

Most in the workforce don't fit these and other occupations where above-average pay and benefits create higher disposable income.   

The job situation helps explain why seven in ten surveyed adults believe the U.S. is on the wrong track, according to Real Clear Politics average of eleven polling firms. That number reflects, in part, a high level of anxiety and resentment from those with little or no formal education and training. 

A new analysis by McKinsey Global Institute shows that 81% of the U.S. population is in an income bracket with flat or declining income over the last decade.

Job and Employment Source:  Indeed, Bureau of Labor Statistics

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What Makes a Good Life?

"True happiness is not attained by self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose."

--Helen Keller


From TED Talk archives... 

What keeps us happy and healthy as we go through life? If you think it's fame and money, you're not alone – but, according to psychiatrist Robert Waldinger, you're mistaken.

As the director of a 75-year-old study on adult development, Waldinger has unprecedented access to data on true happiness and satisfaction. In this talk, he shares three important lessons from the research and some practical, old-as-the-hills wisdom on building a fulfilling, long life. Over nine million views to date.

Click here to view Dr. Waldinger's presentation.

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Summer Reading

"No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to chosen ignorance."  

--Confucius

It's summertime, and living isn't so easy anymore. 

Years ago, there used to be a break in the schedule. September through May tended to be complete. However, June, July, and August offered a lessened pace. 

Not anymore. Conference and meeting schedules now fill the calendar year round. And those who remain after much restructuring are thankful for the work. 

Rest, recreation, and reading are victims of a quickened pace. However, no downtime eventually takes its toll.

Here are three books to consider for summer that may edify some of your leisure moments:

The Power of Habit, by Pulitzer-prize-winning author Charles Duhigg. A best-seller that focuses on this idea--the key to exercising regularly, losing weight, being more productive, and achieving success is understanding how habits work.   Looking to change yourself or the organization? Read this book. Or better yet, listen to an audio version.

Throwing Rocks at the Google Bus, by Douglas Rushkoff. Protesters shattered windows of buses carrying Google employees to work. But their anger was misdirected, says Rushkoff. The actual conflict, we are told, isn't between the unemployed and the digital elite. Or the 99 percent and the 1 percent. Technological improvements have spun out of control, leaving humanity out of the equation. 

They Told Me Not to Take that Job, by Reynold Levy. At some point, businesses and nonprofits require turning around. Therefore, it's helpful to include case studies in our management library, reminding us just how complicated it can be to move individuals in a different direction. Levy is a skilled storyteller bringing the reader into descriptive daily conversations and decisions required to operate the venerable Lincoln Center in new ways. This book is not just about a cultural icon. It's also about the time-consuming effort required to keep people informed and motivated about the need for change. And to follow through on its implementation.

   

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Calculating Risk

"Entrepreneurship is the pursuit of opportunity without regard to resources currently controlled."

--Howard Stevenson
Professor Emeritus, Harvard University

Recently someone asked the following question:

"What three things should an entrepreneur do once they decide:  Okay, I'm starting a business." 

Getting started 

The few who start businesses and succeed don't take risks. They take calculated risks. Having started two companies in 1980 (consulting and research), my first thought was to reduce financial exposure by making sure, to the extent possible, there was a reasonable chance of succeeding. 

For example, I asked for a 50% deposit in selling market research and worked off other people's money (OPM). Then required the balance upon delivery of the final report. In the digital age, those transactions could all be online. 

The deposit approach came to our attention while reading about the creation of Encyclopedia Britannica, first published in 1768 in Edinburgh, Scotland. To get working capital, founders Colin Macfarquhar, Andrew Bell, and Archibald Constable used customer deposits to provide cash flow. 

This illustration of accessing capital by sharing risk seems quaint by today's unicorn investment standards ($1 billion market value for tech start-ups). Still, it was a business model suitable for the times.

Entrepreneurship in decline

According to The Washington Post, research shows the U.S. rate of new business creation, which peaked about a decade ago, plunged more than 30% during the Great Recession and has struggled to regain its footing.

That's going in the wrong direction since the 25-55 age category, a prime demographic for starting new businesses, is rapidly expanding, according to the Kauffman Foundation.

Fewer start-ups mean fewer new jobs.

To back up these trend lines, look below at business closings:

One more chart. 

This time tracking long-established businesses, an increasing percentage of U.S. firms. For over five years, those in the industry account for just over two-thirds of companies. In addition, the Post report shows that the proportion of companies of every age from one to five years has decreased over the past 35 years.

Kauffman believes millennials can turn these numbers around but aren't starting businesses. Their demographic, 20-34, shows a sharp drop in new formations since 2010 even though they have higher levels of education than previous generations, says Kauffman.

A survey by Hewlett-Packard Enterprise of 13-17 year-olds found that the entrepreneurial drive for Generation Z sets in around 29, the average age at which 79% of teens expect to be ready to lead or found their own company.

What to do

Back to our checklist of three things someone might consider doing if they are set on moving ahead:

1. Study the definition of an entrepreneur at the top of this post. Come to terms with the reality that you're not likely to have all the resources at hand when you launch a product or service, yet you still move ahead. If you need total funding up front, you're likely a bureaucrat, not the venturesome type. 

The definition from Professor Stevenson is a reminder of how little control you'll have over the start-up process and beyond.

2. Look at yourself carefully. Who are you? Entrepreneurship is about people first and ideas second. Investors look closely at background and character, investing as much or more in individuals with promise as ideas on paper. There should be flexibility in your human wiring as the need to adjust and the transition is ever-present. 

As someone said, "If you don't bend, you'll break." 

3. Be accountable from the beginning to someone or some group. I created an advisory board and had several mentors who, over time, exhibited wisdom and good judgment. A corporate attorney and CPA were essential to starting and managing the business.     

Even though this new enterprise should be fun, entrepreneurship can take a toll physically, mentally, and financially. So take care of yourself and employees.

The power of incubation

I include in No. 3 the possibility of getting into an incubation program sponsored by a nearby university, state, or nonprofit association. 

If you can survive long enough to get out of the house or garage, having an office in an incubator, where you can mix with peers, develop a disciplined work schedule, and gain access to professional resources, is all for good.

Something to read

Finally, I would consider reading Breakthrough Entrepreneurship, by entrepreneur and teacher Jon Burgstone and writer Bill Murphy, Jr.  What you learn is how to find and fill unmet customer needs. 

As Peter Drucker once said, "The purpose of a business is to create and keep a customer."    

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