Leading Through Chaos: The Leverage for Change What came before: In part 1, we saw that chaos is a problem because it makes prediction hard. A barbell strategy helps us make it through. In part 2 we dealt with risk of ruin, and part 3, covered upside opportunity. I’ve...
In part 1 we covered the need for predictability. We took Nassim Nicholas Taleb’s advice in part 2 to cover our worst-case scenarios. Reader Shari Aaron asked: My business faces short-term disruption. Client budget approvals are very slow, due to so much uncertainty....
I have long planned to buy a new computer in 2026. My current desktop is nearing its end of life, but it still limps along. I’d rather not invest right now; cash is tight, tariffs are high, and my portfolio is down. But supply chain disruptions might mean that prices...
As we saw in part 1, and part 2, we often we get stalled because we have "microfears." These steer us away from the Important Things we want. It's our thinking that does it. We imagine what might go wrong, feel a bit of fear, and then suddenly notice we have a...
When things get stalled, as we saw in the article that answered the question What is a Microfear?, fear is often why. Not big fears; small ones. We're afraid of failing at something we want to learn. We're afraid of starting an ambitious project that might...
There's a lot that doesn't get done, despite our best laid plans. There's that novel we've dreamed about writing. The weekly billing, which always seems to be late. The networking and prospecting we need to keep our business running. Early in my career, I learned...
Why are millennials broke? Systems. Not choices. I recently read an online discussion in which Baby Boomers and Gen Xers resoundingly chastised millennials who don’t save enough for retirement. It seems that instead, millennials are struggling with student debt. The...
Eric Barker shares his non-intuitive, scientifically-backed insights on what does and doesn't lead to success.
Last week, I wrote about starting the year with a strategic plan that looks both outward and inward. And this year, behind the scenes, my strategy has had some big changes. How have you chosen your direction for this phase of your career? The best place to put your...
It’s January, and we all know what that means: time to set New Years resolutions that we’re going to break! The main things resolutions are good for is causing the gym to get way too crowded for the first six weeks of the year. You have a tool at your...