Identifying a need is easy. Anyone watching Ireland get hammered by England in the six nations can tell you that the defense needs improving. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=926MDAqzkbI Figuring out the how to improve is the hard part, it requires analysis and implementation. It means training people to be different, to form new habits and create new processes. … Continue reading Identifying needs
Author: thomaspfduggan
Non Linchpins
One aspect of the Linchpin (as defined by Seth Godin) is their ability to solve extremely complex problems. If there is a problem that has everyone stumped you can elevate it to the Linchpin and have faith that they will come back with an answer. You can count on it. Another worker type attempts indispensability … Continue reading Non Linchpins
Stamp problem
Result: success Time limit: until I got it Question: The Grand Master takes a set of 8 stamps, 4 red and 4 green, known to the logicians, and loosely affixes two to the forehead of each logician so that each logician can see all the other stamps except those 2 in the Grand Master's pocket … Continue reading Stamp problem
Finishing a failure
"You learn more from finishing a failure then from writing a success. And you definitely learn more from finishing a failure then from not finishing" Neil Gaiman, 'MasterClass'. Finishing a failure proves to yourself how serious you are about shipping. Therefore knowing this piece is going to be published in a few hours regardless of … Continue reading Finishing a failure
Presenting order
The longer a presentation goes on the less energy an audience has. Therefore the order of presenters can matter a great deal for audience participation. If you want to hide it's better to present last as the audience has less energy to interrogate. If you want the opportunity to face challenging questions and test yourself … Continue reading Presenting order
Rialto rapport
An acquaintance approaches you and says joyously: "What news on the rialto?" You check your surroundings and confirm you are not in 16th century Venice. You decide to ignore the unusual phrasing and reply with: "Nothing much, weather is awful isn't it?" Whether as your colleague beside you responds with: "Ah Horatio, you look like … Continue reading Rialto rapport
Commitment to change
The proposed changes that didn't take: The blank sheet of paper gathering dust on the wall that was supposed to record who did what chore. The brand new wok, hidden away, still in its box that was bought to promote healthy eating and prevent take outs. The exceedingly complicated printer that nobody has used yet … Continue reading Commitment to change
Farmer crossing the river
Result: success Question: https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=EG2LuimKCOo Reflection: This one was fairly straightforward. Answer: Bring the goat over first and come back empty handed. Bring the Cabbage over next and come back with the goat. Drop the goat off at the original side and bring the wolf across. Drop wolf off and come back empty handed. Then bring … Continue reading Farmer crossing the river
Long answers
Russell Brand: "You're like me you give long answers. Which is a control technique when I do it. I'm assuming it's the same when you do it" Tony Robbins: "It could be just passion" This is a very interesting observation and analysis from Russell. An observation I had pondered before and an analysis that I … Continue reading Long answers
Ted-Ed season 1 episode 1
Result: success Time limit: extended until I found the solution Question: https://youtu.be/7yDmGnA8Hw0 Reflection: This was a worthy opponent. At first I assumed that 'You' had to do all the running back and forth. Then I thought maybe the fact that the professor holding onto the handrails the whole way was a clue that he could … Continue reading Ted-Ed season 1 episode 1
