Change and Self-Delusion

Over the weekend I witnessed a number of “older” gentlemen sporting white socks and white tennis shoes. I said to my wife, while pointing to one of the fashion offenders, “Please never let me do that.”

Later in the weekend, my 18 year-old daughter said, “Boy, Dad, those tennis shoes sure are old.” Mind you, I had my lawn mowing shoes on…so I think just maybe I’m out of the danger zone, as awareness is the first step.

Photo by Mark Baker

However, I recently read a couple of articles where actual decisions on change were researched. We look back at the past and realize we’ve changed significantly, but looking forward we don’t think we’ll change as much. In the moment, we tend to make more conservative choices based on a bias toward future stability. Even though they may be the most risky given the actual changing environment.

Is it because it is easier to think of our past, but hard to imagine the future? Do we not perceive the world changing around us? Do we just get lazy and don’t care anymore? Do we see the world as changing more slowly than it actually is?  Have our inherent values changed and we’re comfortable in what we’ve achieved, and thus are less motivated to change for the better?

I’ll keep wearing my white tennis shoes for mowing the lawn, but continue to observe, and accept advice and scrutiny from others on my fashion choices.

See On the End of History Illusion.

Working Globally

Recently I traveled to India on business. I was out of the office and not in my own bed for two straight weeks. A hardship—hardly. I was very well taken care of all along the way. One of my distinct observations, however, was how many people regularly work in this way. We have a major operation in India and a large number of people who work seamlessly across 12 ½ time zones* to deliver work effectively and efficiently. I had a hard time keeping track of what time it was back home! How do you maintain productivity, sanity and sense of calm all at the same time? My takeaway was that whether we work in one time zone or across 12 ½, the strategies are the same.

Photo by Mark Baker

• Focus on what’s important: relationships, outcomes and understanding. Maintain your perspective and remember that details can be worked out independently.
• Have a wide network of resources and use them intelligently.
• Travel light—edit what you need to reduce the burden.
• Be efficient—get to “done” and stop. Be realistic and focused.
• Take care of yourself and maintain your energy, both physically and mentally.

Good lessons all around.

*My friend and co-worker Murali Iyer is one of the masters of working in this way.