Renaissance for Leaders

Financial Crisis: Expansion

On March 20, 2009

With the world embroiled in a global recession for the first time since the 1940’s, a lot of what we had accepted as “the way things are” has been turned upside down. Sure, there have been recessions in most regions, however it has been over 60 years since we had a global recession.

One thing a lot of people had taken for granted was that we could keep on expanding forever. This caused a bubble from over expansion when prices lost touch with fundamentals and in the end, turned out to be unsustainable.

Greed drove markets to higher and higher levels, and now that things have crashed back to earth, fear has driven (and continues to drive) markets lower and lower to such a level that we have, once again, lost touch with the fundamentals.

As you can see, we have swung between these two extremes that are driven by emotions at opposite ends of the spectrum.

ZONE TIPS > Cause & Effect

By Andrew John Harrison

On March 19, 2009

In Leadership & Influence

One of the key components to getting into “The Zone” and staying there is understanding and mastering Cause & Effect.

There is a lot to this subject and it is a bit technical. However, master this and you are sure to experience a transformation in your results!

What is Cause & Effect? Everything that happens is an Effect that was Caused by something. Nothing occurs without something else Causing it to happen. For example, a glass that was sitting on the table does not fall onto the floor by itself. A person walking by may bump the table, Causing the glass to fall off the table, onto the floor, and breaking into pieces.

Has The Economy Hit Bottom Yet?

By Andrew John Harrison

On March 18, 2009

In Money & Wealth

This graph is very interesting (from The New York Times). It shows the price-to-earnings ratio and gives us hope for the future as well as some relief that the bottom is not far away – if not here already. On the other hand, you can see that there is a possibility we will get to the lows of the 20’s, 30’s and 80’s – which means more pain on the way.

IOUSA

By Andrew John Harrison

On March 17, 2009

In Money & Wealth

April 26, 2017 > Update > Wow, watching this video again eight years later is an eye-opener. The US Federal debt has climbed to almost $20 Trillion. Clearly, the core issue of too high spending and too low income has not been solved.

Government finances operate on the same principles as business and personal finances, with the exception that we don’t work for the stockholders, and don’t serve the interests of all citizens. It is possible to predict the future by looking to the past. get ready for another crash. Check out the US Debt Clock > here.

March 17, 2009 > This video is very well done. I.O.U.S.A. boldly examines the rapidly growing national debt and its consequences for the United States and its citizens. The graphics are awesome and the content is very well presented. The full version is available (highly recommended) on DVD from PBS.

Financial Crisis: What to Say to Your Loved Ones

By Anjou MacPherson

On March 17, 2009

In Money & Wealth

Many people have their self-worth hardwired to their net-worth. I referred to this phenomenon in Towers of Glass, Feet of Clay. Perhaps this is the single biggest reason it is a good idea to build a glass tower around yourself in the first place. So, what happens when the waves of impact touch your reality and this tower is about to blow apart from the tension, shattering everything within its shadow?

ZONE TIPS > Staying “In The Zone”

By Andrew John Harrison

On March 16, 2009

In Leadership & Influence

Most people know what “The Zone” is and have experienced moments in The Zone in their career, sports, money, etc. Typically these moments are infrequent and unpredictable at best, and most people have no idea how to get in The Zone whenever and wherever they choose.

The Zone feels like a quiet excitement with intensified focus. You feel a sense of confidence, total concentration, and an intense awareness. Your movements are easy, flowing and especially coordinated. You lose all sense of time as if another dimension has been added. You are completely focused on what you are doing and all other thoughts and feelings diminish.

Uncompromising Standards

By Andrew John Harrison

On March 9, 2009

In Leadership & Influence

Eroding High Standards

By Andrew John Harrison

On March 9, 2009

In Leadership & Influence

Boom. Crash. Catastrophic failure and collapse.

History is littered with corporate failures that involve massive loss of jobs, investor, supplier, and client financial losses. Empires flourish for a while, then go into decline. Some last longer than others.

The larger the failure, the more complex and difficult it can be to trace back to the singular cause. Complexity can cover up the real issues. However, a thorough investigation by people who know what to look for can often reveal lapses in standards, honesty, and ethics long before the terminal collapse.

These lapses often (but not always) begin at the top – with the leadership, and then filter down throughout the organization.

Qualities, Virtues & Values

By Andrew John Harrison

On March 7, 2009

In Leadership & Influence

Once we have acquired one virtue, it becomes a part of who we are, and we move on to the next virtue.

When you are on a Quest, this is how it works!

updated 6-25-21

Sometime in 2000, I made a list of values and virtues that were important to me. These represented qualities to enhance within me as part of my Quest to be the best person I can be and realize my full potential. By the time I had completed making my list, I had two conflicting thoughts. One was, “Wow, look at how many of these I have already acquired/developed.” The other thought was, “Wow, this is a long list. Am I ever going to be able to do it?”

Transformation May Not Be What You Expect

By Andrew John Harrison

On March 6, 2009

In Leadership & Influence