Profound Knowledge

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Profound Knowledge

We all are on a quest for knowledge. Whether its information that will make our lives easier or just small packets of data that in a trivial way allows us to sort out "why things are the way they are on this planet." As intelligent beings we are constantly receiving and sorting information, in most instances, we are overwhelmed. Therefore, when relevant information arrives that is meaningful, concise and thought provoking, we have a tendency to reflect on this data for the principles and guidance that it offers. Here are seven insights that are worthy of the title Profound Knowledge.

1. LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES: R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

Respect is essential for effective leadership. Lack of respect will require a leader to work twice as hard to realize their objectives. Furthermore, leaders can't be successful as disconnected individuals, no matter how great their individual expertise or potential is. To be an effective leader, you must have the support and respect of those you lead.

2. PARADIGMS: BREAKING THE MOLD

Paradigms are sets of rules and regs that establish the boundaries of what is currently believed to be possible within a given field. Therefore, our perceptions of reality, based on our paradigms, dramatically effect our business decisions. Likewise, we try to make future decisions by basing them on our current paradigms. Case in point, in 1968 Swiss watch makers had over 60% of the world's marketshare. By 1978, their dominance shrank to a mere 10%. What happened? The current paradigm had shifted and a new paradigm was born... It was the Swiss that first developed the quartz watch however they did nothing to protect their ideas and freely displayed the new quartz at world watch conferences. Seiko quickly capitalized on this new method of watch design and significantly enhanced their marketshare to become a world leader.

3. THE NEED FOR LONG-TERM VISION: THE PELICAN BRIEF

The pelican catches fish by flying high over their unsuspecting victims then diving at a high rate of speed into the water to forcefully overcome their prey. Although a successful method, this process eventually leads to their demise. You see, diving from high altitudes damages their eyes and slowly breaks down other vital functions that allow for their success. Eventually, the pelican goes blind and is unable to fish at all.

4. WORD OF MOUTH MARKETING

Businesses have used word of mouth marketing for years. In the case of the liquor industry, it was not uncommon to have paid agents visit trendy bars, order the brand of choice (normally an unknown import) and strike up conversations with both barkeeps and customers in order to establish or talk up a cool image. In many cases it worked!

5. SUCCESS

Studies by Harvard, Stanford and the Carnegie Foundation suggest that success on the job depends 85 percent on people skills and only 15 percent on technical knowledge.

6. ORGANIZATIONS AND GEESE

Geese fly in a V-formation where each bird must take a turn at fighting the wind and being the leader. Each must know the common destination and choose the right course and speed. At any given moment each bird must be capable of leading all the others.

7. CREATIVITY

Creativity does not come from inspiration. Creativity comes from knowledge.

About The Author

Discover more Profound Knowledge by visiting the Focused Impact Media Group at http://www.focusedimpact.com

In The News:

Yahoo! News: Top Stories

Gaza violence rages on despite UN cease-fire call (AP)

AP - The U.N. Security Council called for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, but an intense bombardment of missiles from Israeli jets and helicopters early Friday and a barrage of Hamas rockets indicated there may be no quick end to the fighting.

Illinois House on verge of impeaching Blagojevich (AP)

AP - Gov. Rod Blagojevich faces almost certain impeachment by the Illinois House, a historic step that would trigger a trial to determine whether the Democratic governor should be tossed out of office.

Rifts show as Obama urges quick action on stimulus (AP)

AP - Lawmakers are under orders to finish action on President-elect Barack Obama's nearly $800 billion economic recovery plan by mid-February. But already it is plain that a set of serious fissures need to be bridged if the bill is to be completed within five weeks.

Democrats begin new session with labor bills (AP)

AP - Democrats are ushering in what they believe will be a new labor-friendly era in Washington with House votes on two bills aimed at helping women fight pay discrimination in the workplace.

Job losses stack up as recession deepens (AP)

AP - Trying to survive a deepening recession, employers are cutting their work forces to the bone, leaving more Americans unemployed and with dim prospects of finding a new job any time soon.

Toxic coal ash piling up in ponds in 32 states (AP)

AP - Millions of tons of toxic coal ash is piling up in power plant ponds in 32 states, a practice the federal government has long recognized as a risk to human health and the environment but has left unregulated.

Obama to finalize national security team Friday (AP)

AP - President-elect Barack Obama is completing his national security team by announcing his unusual choices for CIA director and a national intelligence director who may face tough Senate confirmation questioning over how he confronted the Indonesian military when civilian massacres were occurring in East Timor.

Emphasis on smooth transition to new Cabinet (AP)

AP - Just minutes after George W. Bush took the oath of office eight years ago, he signed papers formally nominating 13 Cabinet-level officials. Several hours later, the Senate, meeting in a special Saturday session, confirmed seven Cabinet secretaries, including the heads of the key posts at State, Treasury and Defense.

Critics' final answer: `Slumdog' wins 5 awards (AP)

AP - The critics have spoken, and "Slumdog Millionaire" is their final answer.

Mini Dynasty: Tebow leads Gators past Oklahoma (AP)

AP - The game defied expectations. Tim Tebow fulfilled them. He rescued No. 1 Florida, running through and throwing over No. 2 Oklahoma for a 24-14 victory Thursday night that gave the Gators their second BCS championship in three years.

World waits on jobs data as recession weighs (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. employers probably cut the most jobs in at least 34 years last month as the global economic crisis gathered pace and moves by policy makers took time to filter through to struggling companies.

U.N. calls for immediate Gaza truce (Reuters)

Reuters - Israel pushed ahead with its two-week-old offensive in the Gaza Strip, ignoring a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire.

Panel steps up criticism of Treasury: report (Reuters)

Reuters - A report being released on Friday alleges that the U.S. Treasury has failed to reveal its strategy for stabilizing the financial system, not answered questions asked by a government watchdog, and has done nothing to help struggling homeowners, the Wall Street Journal said.

EU seeks gas supply return after deal (Reuters)

Reuters - Europe sought a swift restoration of gas supplies on Friday after striking a deal with Moscow on monitoring gas shipments via Ukraine that have been halted by a pricing dispute with Kiev.

Citi backs measure to help avoid foreclosures (Reuters)

Reuters - Financial giant Citigroup Inc will support a proposal in Congress to rewrite U.S. bankruptcy law to help troubled mortgage borrowers avoid foreclosure, Chief Executive Vikram Pandit said on Thursday.

Illinois panel recommends governor's impeachment (Reuters)

Reuters - A legislative committee on Thursday recommended the impeachment of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, citing widespread abuse of power including allegations he tried to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.

Obama team amending financial rescue package: report (Reuters)

Reuters - President-elect Barack Obama's economic team is urgently overhauling the $700 billion financial rescue package to broaden its scope beyond Wall Street, The Washington Post reported on Friday.

Qaeda Pakistan leader believed dead: U.S. official (Reuters)

Reuters - Al Qaeda's operations chief in Pakistan and a top aide are believed to be dead, a U.S. counterterrorism official said on Thursday, in what appeared to be the latest results of a campaign targeting the militant group's leadership.

Israel and Hamas battle on after UN ceasefire demand (AFP)

AFP - Israel and Hamas launched heavy air strikes and rocket attacks on each other Friday, ignoring a UN Security Council order on the warring rivals to end their conflict.

EU demands immediate resumption of gas supplies (AFP)

AFP - The European Union demanded Friday that Russian gas supplies to Europe resume immediately now that details of a mission to monitor the flow through Ukrainian pipelines have been agreed.

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