Habits can be a double-edged sword. That routine grooved behavior is a shortcut to apply a known solution over and over. But, things change and a known solution to one problem may not fit another problem. Because it worked before and then again, it is easy to misapply a routine grooved behavior to a new problem that doesn’t fit. If we are looking for...

“I think I second-guess myself when I think about what will take our company from here to there, to the next level, so to say,” Kylie wondered out loud. “How so?” I asked. “I just know, that I come to work each day, thinking about what I want to accomplish. But, before I get to my desk, someone ambushes me with an unexpected problem that has to be...

“You can either work on the plan the Board expects, and will not object to, or you can think differently about a new destination that is more important,” I said. “But, I operate at the pleasure of the Board,” Kylie objected. “They write my paycheck. They expect solid quarterly results. I cannot turn in a plan based on a whim.” “Then, your thinking...

“You set me on a path to think more clearly about the future in our planning,” Kylie informed me. “But what I am thinking, might not be finished in the timeframe of this plan.” “Extraordinary achievement is not the goal, which may be outside of the timeframe of your plan. Extraordinary achievement is a way of life. It is the journey toward the goal.”...

“A blank sheet doesn’t give me much guidance,” Kylie announced. “Agreed,” I replied. “But if you are going to create unconventional results, you have to think differently. Creativity is all about the future. If we could be creative simply by thinking about the past, we would all be successful. But, we’re not. Only those who imagine the future will...

“I think the Board will like this plan,” Kylie said. “It’s a variation on the plan from last year. I upped the percentage increase in sales, added some resources. I think it will get support.” “Why do you think it will get support?” I asked. “Well, it’s similar to last year’s plan, and I got unanimous support for last year’s plan, so I expect the...