Asking the Right Questions, General

It is said that if you ask a question in just the right way, the answer will be obvious. Maybe that's why I love questions so much. 

I've done some research on great questions, and here are a few of my favorites:

From the book "The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever" by Michael Bungay Stanier

The Kickstart Question:

     What's on your mind?

The AWE Question?

     And What Else?  (Tell me more...)

The Focus Question:

     What's the real challenge here for you?

The Foundation Question:

     What do you want?

The Lazy Question:

     How can I help?  What do you want from me?

The Strategic Question:

     If you're saying 'Yes' to this, what are you saying 'No' to?

The Learning Question:

     What was most useful for you?

-------------------------

 

The Devil's Advocate

     Why will it Not Work?  (some reasons, conditions)

Delegating

     Who can get this done?  (not How can I do this?)

Priorities

     ‘What does the business need from you right now?’”

General

     What am I missing? What more should I know? What question should I be asking?

Also:

10 Questions to Spark Stimulating Conversations

Inc. Magazine

1. What's your story?
This open-ended question is bound to trigger something interesting after the other person gets over the initial shock that you asked it. By opening up a conversation in this manner, you've given them access to speak from their hearts and share their life's journeys, dreams, and goals.
2. What absolutely excites you right now?
3. What was the highlight of your day (or week)?
4. What gets you up in the morning?
5. What is your whole reason for existing--your "why" (ikigai)?
6. What's the most important thing I should know about you?
7. Why did you choose your career or line of business?
8. What is one of your most defining moments in life?
9. What's the best thing that's happened to you this year?
10. When's the last time you failed spectacularly at something?

More:

-What inspires you? 

-What have you learned from a mistake? 

-What do you like to do for fun? 

-What is your proudest accomplishment? 

-What have you learned from a difficult experience? 

-What do you think is the most important lesson you can teach others? 

-How do you measure success? 

-What advice would you give someone going through a difficult time? 

-What does it mean to you to be successful? 

-What experiences in your life have shaped who you are today? 

-If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why? 

-If you could master any skill, what would it be? 

-What do you do to stay creative or inspired? 

-What’s something that you want to learn more about?

- If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

Interview questions:

Lenny's podcast: Favorite interview questions from 100 guests

 

Why ToBeWise™ for Startups

 Q: What is the rationale for a startup founder/CEO/team to study these quotations?

A: Studying quotations from successful venture capitalists and entrepreneurs can offer startup founders, CEOs, and teams several benefits:

• Wisdom and Insight: These quotations often encapsulate years, if not decades, of experience in just a few words. By studying them, founders can access distilled wisdom without having to go through the same trials and tribulations.

• Inspiration and Motivation: The entrepreneurial journey is fraught with challenges. Quotations from those who've been through it and succeeded can serve as a source of motivation, reminding founders of the bigger picture and the potential rewards of perseverance.

• Perspective: These quotes can provide a different perspective or approach to a problem that a startup might be facing. It might offer a new way to think about an issue or validate a strategy the team is considering.

• Avoiding Mistakes: Some of these quotations might highlight common pitfalls or mistakes in the startup world. By heeding these words, startups might be able to sidestep some of these common errors.

• Strategic Thinking: Many venture capitalists think in terms of market dynamics, competitive advantage, and long-term value creation. Their quotes can help founders align their strategies with these broader themes.

• Understanding Investor Mindset: If a startup is looking to raise funds, understanding how top VCs think can be invaluable. It can offer insights into what investors prioritize and value, which can be instrumental in pitching and negotiations.

• Networking and Building Relationships: Being familiar with the thoughts and philosophies of influential people in the startup ecosystem can be a conversation starter and can help in building relationships at networking events or conferences.

• Decision Making: The world of startups often involves making decisions under uncertainty. Some quotes emphasize the importance of decisive action, calculated risk-taking, and adaptability, which can guide founders in their decision-making processes.

• Cultural and Value Building: Quotations that resonate with a founder can be integrated into the company's culture and values. They can serve as guiding principles for the team and can be referred to during company meetings, strategy sessions, and onboarding new members.

• Continuous Learning: The tech and startup industry is one of rapid change and evolution. These quotes often reflect timeless principles but also emphasize the importance of continuous learning and adaptation. They can inspire founders to always remain curious and be on the lookout for new knowledge and insights.

In essence, these quotations are not just words but encapsulations of experiences, lessons, and philosophies. While not every quote will resonate with every founder, the right ones can serve as a compass, guiding startups through the myriad challenges they face.

Get the app, free, 5-star, iOS version at the website.

Why? Why are we here? Why wisdom? Why ToBeWise™, Why now

 Why is the ultimate question. Why are we here? If we pose this question to AI, we get this:

The question of why individuals exist in the world is a deep philosophical and existential one that has been explored by many philosophers, theologians, and thinkers throughout history. It's a question that doesn't have a single definitive answer, as it can vary depending on personal beliefs, values, and perspectives.

Some people find meaning and purpose in life through personal relationships, career achievements, contributing to society, or through spiritual or religious beliefs. Others may embark on a journey to discover their own purpose and meaning in life.

Ultimately, the answer to why you are here is a deeply personal one, and it may evolve and change throughout your life as you gain new experiences and insights. It's a question that you may continue to explore and define for yourself over time.

The one common thread in all of human existence is that we must learn in order to grow. We learn from our environment, from others, and, as has been the case for thousands of years, we learn from what we read. We learn from reading the wisdom of the ages, as written by those who came before us, who have experienced the greatest of the many challenges of life, we learn from the greatest minds who ever lived. 

So the answer to why are we here, is to learn, and then to apply that learning to our own personal growth and to share what we know to help others. What could be a higher calling? What could be a better way of life?

What is the most important thing to learn? It is wisdom. It says this in Proverbs 4:7: Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

Wisdom is the knowledge to do the right thing. The confidence that whatever you do, it will be the right thing, you can do no wrong. Imagine having such a super power. To be a superior person in all circumstances. To move through life with the feeling that you have such a power, living without fear, worry, or concern of any kind. 

Is it possible to live this way, at all times in this human experience? Certainly it is the ideal, for what could possibly be better than to live every moment fully and with the knowledge that you are creating each moment based on the foundation of the accumulated knowledge of the wisest humans who ever lived.

Imagine all this wisdom at your fingertips, literally. In your phone of course, a simple app, and it's called, appropriately enough, ToBeWise™. It contains the wisdom of the ages, from over 800 of the greatest minds in recorded history, on hundreds of subjects. Such is ToBeWise™. Download ToBeWise™  free, now, here.

Apps tend to be such stupid things, diversions in the form of games and news and social media... all a complete waste of time. Chewing gum for the mind. A plug in drug.

ToBeWise™ however delivers your superpower with every second you interact with it. You will feel the wisdom becoming an integral part of your being. You will want more, and you will become a better person moment by moment. For all of the ways you can become addicted to an app, ToBeWise™  is the smartest possible choice for an addiction. The addiction of self improvement.

The fact that it is free, without advertising, and downloadable at a moment's notice is a most wonderful example of modern technology, used for the ultimate purpose of making the world a better place, one human being at a time. Download ToBeWise™  free, now, here.

One of the most powerful features of ToBeWise™ is the ability share your newfound wisdom with friends, and others too. And to learn even more from the sharing with their feedback, for we are social creatures and we grow from the experiences of others.  "If I have seen farther, it is because I stand on the shoulders of giants" said Isaac Newton, the great mind who discovered the laws gravity and movement of planets and stars. He knew that we all learn from each other, and it is the highest level of being to contribute the the world around us. This is the promise of ToBeWise™. To Be Wise. Not to become wise, but to already Be wise. To have that superpower. Download ToBeWise™  free, now, here.

Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.

For boldness has genius, magic, and power in it.

Begin it Now!.

Goethe was the 18th century genius who shared that thought with us on the subject of taking action, in the present moment. Everything that exists, or has ever existed in the history of the world, has been brought into existence because someone took action. They had an idea and they took action.  

We sometimes call these action-oriented people entrepreneurs. Those brave souls who step out of the status quo to create a world they are confident can be. 

This entrepreneurial spirit is such an extraordinary element in building a better world that ToBeWise™  contains a unique resource just for entrepreneurs in a special collection on the challenges of Startups and the the wisdom of the great startup superstars such as Jobs, Musk, Altman, and so many more. 

ToBeWise™ moves at your pace. A steady and loyal companion on your life journey. It's not like you need to take years off to attend some school. It's learn as you go, when you want/need. No stress, no worry. Drink your fill as you want. You will soon see that you will want more as you learn more. It becomes natural, and fun.  Download ToBeWise™  free, now, here.

It may seem a hopeless task, to have wisdom, and yet it is trivially easy to attain, if only one simply moves in that direction. Download ToBeWise™  free, now, here.

The choice is yours, to begin it now.

Download it free, now, here.

So easy to use.

You will soon have the wisdom of the ages.

Download ToBeWise™  free, now, here.

Begin it now.

Or, you could so something else.

You could watch TV, or browse social media, news, whatever. How has that been working out for you?

Download ToBeWise™  free, now, here.

Paramahansa Yogananda put it as simply and directly as possible: The result cannot be achieved if the experiment is not made. Download ToBeWise™  free, now, here.

Marshall Goldsmith with Greg Voisen

Marshall is the only two-time Thinkers 50 #1 Leadership Thinker in the World. He has been ranked as the World’s #1 Executive Coach and Top Ten Business Thinker for eight years and was even chosen as the inaugural winner of the Lifetime Award for Leadership by the Harvard Institute of Coaching.

Marshall also is the author or editor of 41 books which have sold over 2.5 million copies, been translated into 32 languages and become listed bestsellers in 12 countries. I got a great opportunity to have a talk with him about one of his masterpieces and his most personal and powerful work to date - The Earned Life: Lose Regret, Choose Fulfillment. In this book, Marshall offers a dazzling but simple approach that accommodates both our persistent need for achievement and the inescapable “stuff happens” unfairness of life. It's packed with illuminating stories from his own legendary career as a coach to some of the world’s highest-achieving leaders. If you want to learn more about Marshall and his amazing works, you may click here to access his website. ➥https://marshallgoldsmith.com/ I hope you enjoy this engaging interview with Marshall Goldsmith. Happy listening! Learn more about your Inside Personal Growth host, Greg Voisen: ➥ https://gregvoisen.com 🎧Listen to the podcast on your favorite digital platform: ➥ https://smarturl.it/insidepersonalgrowth

The Startup Genome Report, 2023

Released today, the Startup Genome Report has some interesting insights, including the graphic below. Read the full report here:

The Startup Genome research is based on an extensive analysis of data from 3.5 million startups across 290 global ecosystems and over a decade of independent research and providing policy advice to more than 145 clients in 50 countries to date.  

 

Culture vs. Strategy

There is a famous Peter Drucker quote that says that "culture eats strategy for breakfast". This implies that the culture of your company always determines success regardless of how effective your strategy may be.

When he said that culture eats strategy for breakfast, Drucker pointed out the importance of the human factor in any company. No matter how detailed and solid your strategy is, if the people executing it don't nurture the appropriate culture, your projects will fail.

Culture isn't about comfy chairs and happy hours at the office. Rather, it's more about the ways your employees act in critical situations, how they manage pressure and respond to various challenges, and how they treat partners and customers, and each other.

What Does ‘Culture Eats Strategy’ Mean?

The culture eats strategy for breakfast quote means that no matter how strong your strategic plan is, its efficacy will be held back by members of your team if they don't share the proper culture. When it comes down to it, the people implementing the plan are the ones that make all the difference.

If your employees aren't passionate about your company's vision, they won't be enthusiastic about executing the plan, and then your strategy stands no chance. Your company will struggle to execute daily strategies, and implementing a new one would be doomed to fail.

Company culture happens, whether you work on it or not. It represents the core of the company, and most of it is created by the business founders—sometimes unknowingly. The actions of the founders and executives speak louder than their words in the process of culture creation. 

What Do We Mean When We Say “Culture” and “Strategy”?

Corporate culture is never definite. It's very complex and ever-changing. Culture is vulnerable and dependable on the moods of the people who define it. It's a crucial factor for the long-term success of every business. No matter how hard you work on your perfectly organized strategy, in the end, the people bringing it to life are the ones responsible for its success or its demise.

Many company owners and executives focus on the financial, rational, and legal side of the business, but they fail to incorporate the appropriate culture. Culture is the way your company as a whole operates toward fulfilling your goals—but it also includes the behavior and core values of each employee.

While strategy defines direction and focus, culture is the habitat in which strategy lives or dies. Strategy focuses on resourcefulness and skillfulness, while culture defines engagement, passion, and execution.

With proper strategy, you create the rules for playing, but culture determines the way the game will be played.

How Do Culture And Strategy Work Together In A Business?

If not based on the right values, culture eats strategy for lunch (as well as breakfast). However, in a perfect scenario, culture and strategy complement and nurture each other. Strategy and culture should be created simultaneously, making sure they are perfectly aligned. When in sync, they enable each other to create incredible organizational transformations.

When you're aware of the true culture of your business, it is easy to create a strategic business plan because you're familiar with all the factors. Think of culture as a landscape on which you execute your strategic plan. A walk on pavement takes less time and energy than climbing through a mountain pass.

Knowing your culture means knowing what to expect from your team, which comes as a valuable resource in planning a strategy. Your strategy plan has a greater chance of being efficient if you apply a realistic perspective to it. Culture and strategy make a powerful duo when combined perfectly, and you should always incorporate both in your plans if you want your vision to succeed.

How To Implement a Healthy Culture In Your Office

If you're worried that culture is eating strategy at your company, you need to consider implementing a different, healthy culture in the office. 

Here are several business tips you can use to start nurturing a company culture that leads to growth:

Ask questions

Conduct a survey and encourage your employees to be open about the things they would change in the company. Ask them what they would like to see in the future and work on making their perfect future career fit in with your company's vision.

Develop a solid vision

All of your employees need to know where the company is going and how their work contributes to your business vision. If your organization has no clear vision, no defined values, and no sense of direction, you're nurturing inadequate culture.

Celebrate small wins on the way to success

Employees will adopt a culture that makes them feel passionate and enthusiastic about your goals if you show them how all short-term wins matter because they lead to the achievement of your long-term vision.

Want additional insight? Download Easy Ways to Improve Your Company Culture

Written by The Alternative Board | Feb 26, 2020

Additional reading:

Culture Takes Over When The CEO Leaves The Room

    (Clarity, Communication, Consistency)

System for Personal/Business Success

A system is a method for achieving some result.

Think of a recipe for making chocolate chip cookies. That's a system. A checklist for pilots is a system.

To achieve any given result, it would be better if we used a system.

The first requirement of any system is that it must be written down. A system must be defined in words and numbers in order for it to exist.

A system must also state the Goal of the system. What must the system achieve? This is the Name of the System.

The system must also have a series of steps that are intended to deliver the Goal. 

A system must have a feedback loop so that the system will continue to improve. See Kaizen.

This requirement is missing from almost all systems in existence. It is the single ingredient that creates the system to be a superpower. It is Exponential Leverage.

You either have a system or you do not. Why would you not?

What system do you use for your personal/business success?  

The answer, for 99% of all people, is that they do not have a system. 

This is why it's likely that their results, if any, will be sub-optimal.

The System for Personal/Business Success (SPBS)

The benefits of using a system are many and provable with data.

There are so many good people who work hard and are committed to doing whatever they can to achieve the success they envision. 

These people would benefit from a system to get more results in less time.  

If you're one of those people who would like an unfair advantage, a superpower, actually, to leverage the results you can get, you may ask "How can I use a system for Personal/Business Success?"

 

A System for Personal/Business Success is a good thing, by definition.

Those who use a system to achieve success will have a greater probability of success. 

A system with a higher frequency Feedback Loop will deliver greater results, faster, with greater consistency, and with less stress. A system performed daily is better than a system performed once a year. 

Some systems are better than others. At Double M, we're all about better systems.  When it comes to Personal/Business success, you don't want to be making it up as you go. With our 50+ years of experience, it's likely that we can help you get there faster, and with a lot less stress.

Start with our free and easy EZchecklist™.   

"The System is the Solution" was a long-time AT&T tagline.

"Any system is better than no system if you iterate quickly using the Feedback Loop."