GURU WON D ER

In 1986, I was to travel to Leverkusen, Germany, to buy machinery for our growing business from a dealer. I started planning for the trip 2 months in advance. With usual German precision, the dealer gave me specific directions on how to get there. "From platform no 6, take the S-Bahn train from Düsseldorf (main station) departing at 08:58 hrs. Get off the train at the station which arrives exactly at 09:13 hrs. That is Leverkusen. I will be on the platform displaying my comp

Many years ago, in pursuit of bagging a significant development and supply order, we travelled to Detroit to meet with a five-member team of Visteon, a division of Ford Motor Company at that time. Discussions concluded favourably. Both parties were in agreement on everything, except the time frame for development and delivery of samples. They demanded that we deliver in 8 weeks, and I insisted on taking 14 weeks. The situation became deadlocked, and it looked like the deal w

Those who serve us are commonly known as servants, and they are usually paid for providing service. A zebra by any name is still a zebra. In modern speak, servants are called employees. It makes them feel that they have a higher status than servants. Nevertheless, the relationship between the person who pays (the employer) and the one who gets paid (the employee) remains the same. The relationship becomes hierarchical, and usually, the buyer of the service (the employer has s

Making mistakes causes friction, and friction leads to learning. Acting on that learning is experience. Friction causes dissonance. That is why we avoid experimentation and mistakes, but mistakes occur even when we do not want them. Leaders want innovation, but most of them and their organisations rarely forgive mistakes. This is why, in addition to trying to make processes and approaches foolproof, leaders should actively seize opportunities to learn from mistakes by creatin

Click on image to view video on YouTube At the end of the day, everyone is looking for peace of mind. Children and womenfolk know this all too well and know how to exploit it until you accede to their demands. This is why a man will promise anything to a woman or a child, just to keep them quiet. Once he makes a promise, he is locked in and deeper in the commitment hole. This is what men mean when they say 'chewing my brains out'. Nagging almost always produces more promises

Click here on the image to view the video Our minds function in fascinating and abstract ways; thus, creativity and innovation cannot...

The Power of Effective Management Systems Most organisations are sincere in enhancing impact and improving performance and profitability....

To get into shape I went on a diet. Dieting and controlling sugar and carbohydrate intake did indeed make me lose weight but with no...

Communist China since its inception has been expansionist, constantly invading and capturing massive land and resources of all its...

Looking at a partially full glass of water sparks the ages-old debate, 'Is the glass half empty or half full?' There is no need to break...

Most people, generally rely more on their knowledge rather than on their instincts and imagination. Our knowledge sets mental barriers...

Nature is chaotic. However, Man, the social creature needs order amongst members of the family, tribe and extended tribe to survive and...

Should leaders lead, from the front or the rear? Before we answer, we have to remember that no situation is absolute. Situations are...

Work never ends, especially if you are looking for it. There is always something new to be planned, and executed, or something that needs...

Guru Wonder - 4S management series To have power means possessing the ability to influence the direction and outcomes of events. This is...

Every human endeavour involving more than a single person needs a team. It may be informal, it may be dysfunctional, and whether we...

Guru Wonder - 4S management series Everyone wants to be someone rich, powerful, famous etc. Getting what we desire is called success, and...

Guru Wonder - 4S management series "If you want to go fast, go alone. if you want to go far, go together." ~African Proverb In building...

I believe in the inherent goodness and sincerity of people. They generally want to do good and achieve. People want to realise the best...

The Human Resources head was instructed to recruit all sorts of management talent that they could find. HR had recruited three candidates...