#308: Always hungry means never enough

Have you heard the one about me being charged by a lioness? Oh, you have.

Well, a funny thing happened when I told that story again recently. I suddenly remembered how quickly fear disappeared once the lions had feasted.

You see, animals are only nervous when lions are hungry because lions only hunt when they are hungry. Only man is always hungry.

So let’s be honest with ourselves. It is this always-hungry that has landed us in this mess. This always-hungry has led to companies over-reaching and people over-spending.

Andy Grove (of Intel) made the point that only the paranoid survive. Well, I have seen the king of the jungle snooze in the African sun and I can tell you that lions are simply not prone to paranoia. They eat when they’re hungry and sleep when they’re not.

They’re at the top of their food chain and yet they know when enough is enough.


I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of Always Hungry Means Never Enough
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James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
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Copyright: 2009 James Henry McIntosh

#307: Guard against the little deaths

Tell me, what happens every time someone loses a job and a steady income? Something little dies inside.

These little deaths show up as little things – a little less self-respect, a little less self-confidence, a little less smiling, a little more frowning.

These little deaths are not final deaths. Even so, they can have equally dramatic consequences, unless we guard against the little pains they bring.

What I’m about to say next is going to sound very corny. I’m not going to apologize for that, because this idea always helps me to cope. Here it is: a caterpillar must go through a little death to become a butterfly. But the caterpillar doesn’t know that, which is why I have never seen a happy caterpillar.

Me, I keep smiling, because I have been through these little deaths before. On top of that, I am simply not willing to stay a worm for the rest of my life.


I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of Guard Against The Little Deaths
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James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA

Copyright: 2009 James Henry McIntosh

#306: Line up not to be bashed

Some people think that I am into bashing CEOs lately. Many CEOs have turned themselves into easy targets, but let’s be honest. CEO bashing is based on generalizations.

So let me be specific this time. I once helped a CEO turnaround a retail company. Like many CEOs, my client had a company car. Unlike most CEOs, his car was 10 years old. Without saying a word, he had claimed the moral high ground and demonstrated what behavior was expected. And every one, from executives to shop stewards to union members, got the message, rolled up their sleeves and made the turnaround happen.

I know he is not the only CEO who leads like that. And let’s not forget that this is all about leadership. Leadership is often very simple. It is not what you say that matters. It’s what you do, consistently.

And when what you say is aligned with what you do, then you won’t be bashed.



I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of Line Up Not To Be Bashed
(10 most recent radio files)
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA

Copyright: 2009 James Henry McIntosh

#305: Saving the planet starts at home

I disliked being disciplined by my parents into doing daily chores, things like making my bed and tidying my room.

Yet, somewhere along the way it all began to make sense. It became second nature to keep my space tidy and also as show respect for those who share my space. Now I am pleased that I was taught to take responsibility for my space.

I now think that people who show no respect for their personal space, at home or at work, are unlikely to show respect for public space. And this lack of respect is killing our planet.

Once again our world leaders are wasting their time have talks about saving the planet. And we are wasting time waiting for world leaders to lead us to a healthy planet. No meeting of world leaders will save our planet until parents teach children to respect personal space. Only parents have the power to save our public space.



I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of Saving The Planet Starts At Home
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James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA

Copyright: 2009 James Henry McIntosh

#304: A capital greed

Let me make one thing clear. I like capitalism. What I don’t like is greed. No, that’s not quite right. I don’t mind greed. Be as greedy as you like. What I don’t like is when one person’s greed is another person’s pain.

There you have my one big problem with capitalism. Greed without care.

Right now, few public company CEOs seem to care. Did you know that the average American public company CEO earns almost 400 times more than what his average employee earns?

CEOs weren’t always this greedy. During most of the last century, corporate leaders in America earned only about 20 to 30 times more than their average employee. By the way, the ratio is still only about 22 times in Britain, 20 times in Canada and 11 times in Japan.

I would like American-style capitalism even more if American CEOs were to lead according to ‘first do no harm’. Now that’s a capital idea.



I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of A Capital Greed
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James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA

Copyright: 2009 James Henry McIntosh

#303: Seeing differently creates dreams

Where do big dreams come from? I don’t know. But I do know that big dreams come through inspiration.

Inspiration is a sudden, brilliant, original idea. And original ideas come from seeing differently.

A long, long time ago two shoe-salesmen went to Africa. Soon the one wrote to his boss, “Coming home. People don’t wear shoes.” The other telegraphed his office, “Urgent. Send shoes. Huge untapped market.”

Both were looking at the same market, but seeing it differently. Seeing differently creates insight; insight triggers inspiration.

Inspiration is also the act of breathing in. One man sighed and went home. The other took a deep breathe to say ‘wow!’ Two men, same situation, but only one became inspired.

Do you still think that seeing is believing? Don’t. Scientific evidence clearly shows that if you believe it, chances are you will see it. Believe in your dreams to see them happen.



I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of Seeing Differently Creates Dreams
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James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA

Copyright: 2009 James Henry McIntosh

#302: Free speech at work

I’ve been accused of coming across angry lately. I’m so pleased you’ve noticed.

Let me tell you why I’m a little annoyed. This country was built on something called free speech. Not only free speech, because free speech on its own is useless. It only works if someone is prepared to listen. Note I said ‘listen’. I did not say ‘agree’.

You know what I’ve noticed? Many business executives don’t tolerate free speech at work. And they seldom listen.

If this country became great because people could speak their minds freely in the hope of influencing others, why is it that so many executives believe that the way to build a great company is to get junior people to shut up?

I suppose my problem is that I know I am fallible, which is why I keep asking people ‘so, what do you think?’

I wonder what our world would be like if more CEOs entertained the idea of possibly being fallible.



I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of Free Speech At Work
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James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
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Copyright: 2009 James Henry McIntosh

#301: Inspire divine dreams

Let’s talk about big dreams. After all, this country would not exist as we know it if a few people had not been willing to dream big.

Admit it, though, big dreams trigger big fears. The way to overcome these fears is to have divine dreams. The Founding Fathers faced big fears but they knew their dream was divine.

Here’s how to have divine dreams and to overcome big fears. Breathe deeply.

To ‘divine’ means ‘to discover through inspiration’. Inspiration is a sudden, brilliant, original idea.

The funny thing is that inspiration is also the act of breathing in. What happens when you are afraid? You hold your breathe. Well, don’t. You cannot be inspired if you’re afraid to inspire.

Most of the time you breathe on autopilot. You become aware of breathing only when you stop. Don’t do the same to your dreams. Be aware of them. Give them air. Inspire and be inspired.



I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of Inspire Divine Dreams
(10 most recent radio files)
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA

Copyright: 2009 James Henry McIntosh