good morning everyone my name is Amitabh mal and I have the proud travellish and
mal and I have the proud travellish and
mal and I have the proud travellish and also the beginners pressure of kicking
also the beginners pressure of kicking
also the beginners pressure of kicking things off here today their thing do the
things off here today their thing do the
things off here today their thing do the best that I can
best that I can
best that I can my I am a partner and director at the
my I am a partner and director at the
my I am a partner and director at the Boston Consulting Group as the MCS told
Boston Consulting Group as the MCS told
Boston Consulting Group as the MCS told you I have been with the firm for 16
you I have been with the firm for 16
you I have been with the firm for 16 years and I am what they call a career
years and I am what they call a career
years and I am what they call a career consultant usually when they say that
consultant usually when they say that
consultant usually when they say that they don’t mean it as a compliment what
they don’t mean it as a compliment what
they don’t mean it as a compliment what it means is that this is the only job
it means is that this is the only job
it means is that this is the only job I’ve ever had
I’ve ever had
I’ve ever had so the last 16 years which is probably a
so the last 16 years which is probably a
so the last 16 years which is probably a few years less than probably the average
few years less than probably the average
few years less than probably the average age of this room I’ve only done
age of this room I’ve only done
age of this room I’ve only done consulting it has a lot of upsides I
consulting it has a lot of upsides I
consulting it has a lot of upsides I have had the chance to work in some
have had the chance to work in some
have had the chance to work in some fantastic cities
fantastic cities
fantastic cities I started in Mumbai spend time in New
I started in Mumbai spend time in New
I started in Mumbai spend time in New York did some work in Toronto in Sao
York did some work in Toronto in Sao
York did some work in Toronto in Sao Paulo Ho Chi Minh City Sydney so I have
Paulo Ho Chi Minh City Sydney so I have
Paulo Ho Chi Minh City Sydney so I have traveled the world more importantly when
traveled the world more importantly when
traveled the world more importantly when I’ve traveled the world I’ve had the
I’ve traveled the world I’ve had the
I’ve traveled the world I’ve had the opportunity to work with some remarkable
opportunity to work with some remarkable
opportunity to work with some remarkable business leaders people who have
business leaders people who have
business leaders people who have inspired me people who encouraged me and
inspired me people who encouraged me and
inspired me people who encouraged me and people that I’ve learned a lot from and
people that I’ve learned a lot from and
people that I’ve learned a lot from and while there is no one formula ever for a
while there is no one formula ever for a
while there is no one formula ever for a great leader what I’m hoping to share
great leader what I’m hoping to share
great leader what I’m hoping to share with you today is some of my
with you today is some of my
with you today is some of my observations and learnings or what makes
observations and learnings or what makes
observations and learnings or what makes great business leaders but I’ll not just
great business leaders but I’ll not just
great business leaders but I’ll not just do it as one of those seven Habits of
do it as one of those seven Habits of
do it as one of those seven Habits of effective people kind of list I actually
effective people kind of list I actually
effective people kind of list I actually wanted to do it in the context of
wanted to do it in the context of
wanted to do it in the context of another love of mind which is writing
another love of mind which is writing
another love of mind which is writing many years ago when I was 20 years old I
many years ago when I was 20 years old I
many years ago when I was 20 years old I thought that I wanted to be a writer and
thought that I wanted to be a writer and
thought that I wanted to be a writer and I actually borrowed some money from my
I actually borrowed some money from my
I actually borrowed some money from my dad printed a business card with a
dad printed a business card with a
dad printed a business card with a journalist and went down went over to
journalist and went down went over to
journalist and went down went over to editors of magazines and newspapers and
editors of magazines and newspapers and
editors of magazines and newspapers and said look will you give me a break and a
said look will you give me a break and a
said look will you give me a break and a kind of interaction did it died and very
kind of interaction did it died and very
kind of interaction did it died and very soon I had written more than a half a
soon I had written more than a half a
soon I had written more than a half a dozen feature pieces the moment I joined
dozen feature pieces the moment I joined
dozen feature pieces the moment I joined the world of business and I and I joined
the world of business and I and I joined
the world of business and I and I joined business school that world what left
business school that world what left
business school that world what left behind but it was always there somewhere
behind but it was always there somewhere
behind but it was always there somewhere under the surface last year after 15
under the surface last year after 15
under the surface last year after 15 years of being a career consultant I
years of being a career consultant I
years of being a career consultant I took a sabbatical and some of it was
took a sabbatical and some of it was
took a sabbatical and some of it was spent in this fine city of Iowa as a
spent in this fine city of Iowa as a
spent in this fine city of Iowa as a part of the Iowa summer writers festival
part of the Iowa summer writers festival
part of the Iowa summer writers festival it felt like a magical world it felt
it felt like a magical world it felt
it felt like a magical world it felt like I was just surrounded by a very
like I was just surrounded by a very
like I was just surrounded by a very different set of people that I would
different set of people that I would
different set of people that I would normally be surround
normally be surround
normally be surround by writers people wanted to talk about
by writers people wanted to talk about
by writers people wanted to talk about writing aspiring writers and established
writing aspiring writers and established
writing aspiring writers and established writers and in that I actually realized
writers and in that I actually realized
writers and in that I actually realized that all these years as an avid reader
that all these years as an avid reader
that all these years as an avid reader while I feel I can appreciate good
while I feel I can appreciate good
while I feel I can appreciate good writing what I got to do in that time in
writing what I got to do in that time in
writing what I got to do in that time in Iowa was appreciate good writers and
Iowa was appreciate good writers and
Iowa was appreciate good writers and what I took away from that was a few
what I took away from that was a few
what I took away from that was a few things that I see writers do incredibly
things that I see writers do incredibly
things that I see writers do incredibly well and while this is not necessarily a
well and while this is not necessarily a
well and while this is not necessarily a checklist but these are four that I’d
checklist but these are four that I’d
checklist but these are four that I’d like to share today but I feel that
like to share today but I feel that
like to share today but I feel that great writers are able to explore beyond
great writers are able to explore beyond
great writers are able to explore beyond the imagination that normal people have
the imagination that normal people have
the imagination that normal people have great writers observe they see the same
great writers observe they see the same
great writers observe they see the same things that we see but they see them
things that we see but they see them
things that we see but they see them differently they have a point of view
differently they have a point of view
differently they have a point of view and they’re not afraid to share their
and they’re not afraid to share their
and they’re not afraid to share their perspective and lastly they are masters
perspective and lastly they are masters
perspective and lastly they are masters at showing and not telling what I’ll do
at showing and not telling what I’ll do
at showing and not telling what I’ll do over the next I guess 12 minutes or so
over the next I guess 12 minutes or so
over the next I guess 12 minutes or so is walk you through examples of great
is walk you through examples of great
is walk you through examples of great writing and what I mean by these four
writing and what I mean by these four
writing and what I mean by these four and bring it back to the world of
and bring it back to the world of
and bring it back to the world of business let’s start with exploration
business let’s start with exploration
business let’s start with exploration always a good place to start
Peter Tosh she wrote a book about the
Peter Tosh she wrote a book about the craft of writing and I would like to
craft of writing and I would like to
craft of writing and I would like to quote from the book eventually we find
quote from the book eventually we find
quote from the book eventually we find the story not despite failed efforts to
the story not despite failed efforts to
the story not despite failed efforts to find the story but through those efforts
find the story but through those efforts
find the story but through those efforts this could almost have been Christopher
this could almost have been Christopher
this could almost have been Christopher Columbus talking about finding America
Columbus talking about finding America
Columbus talking about finding America when he went looking for India and it
when he went looking for India and it
when he went looking for India and it does actually feel like that I remember
does actually feel like that I remember
does actually feel like that I remember the first story that I ever wrote
the first story that I ever wrote
the first story that I ever wrote started about the script describing the
started about the script describing the
started about the script describing the stuffy heat of a loadshedding
stuffy heat of a loadshedding
stuffy heat of a loadshedding town in small town Orissa became very
town in small town Orissa became very
town in small town Orissa became very soon a love triangle and then eventually
soon a love triangle and then eventually
soon a love triangle and then eventually was the story of a boy discovering that
was the story of a boy discovering that
was the story of a boy discovering that he was gay I did not start with that
he was gay I did not start with that
he was gay I did not start with that thought in mind I started with something
thought in mind I started with something
thought in mind I started with something and the writing led me on and that is
and the writing led me on and that is
and the writing led me on and that is about exploration and I think the best
about exploration and I think the best
about exploration and I think the best writers from what I’ve been told by
writers from what I’ve been told by
writers from what I’ve been told by instructor after instructor at Iowa are
instructor after instructor at Iowa are
instructor after instructor at Iowa are people who let the writing write and
people who let the writing write and
people who let the writing write and don’t try to shape the writing in the
don’t try to shape the writing in the
don’t try to shape the writing in the world of business there are countless
world of business there are countless
world of business there are countless examples of people who go on exploring
examples of people who go on exploring
examples of people who go on exploring and I’m here to talk about one of them
and I’m here to talk about one of them
and I’m here to talk about one of them anyone see the very recent movie
anyone see the very recent movie
anyone see the very recent movie founders the founder quick raise offense
founders the founder quick raise offense
founders the founder quick raise offense okay a few so for the rest of you have
okay a few so for the rest of you have
okay a few so for the rest of you have not seen the movie well spoiler alert
not seen the movie well spoiler alert
not seen the movie well spoiler alert it’s about Ray Kroc the founder of
it’s about Ray Kroc the founder of
it’s about Ray Kroc the founder of McDonald’s chain with 40,000 stores
McDonald’s chain with 40,000 stores
McDonald’s chain with 40,000 stores around the world interestingly
around the world interestingly
around the world interestingly McDonald’s was not a business there was
McDonald’s was not a business there was
McDonald’s was not a business there was not the first business that Ray started
not the first business that Ray started
not the first business that Ray started in fact he started his career selling
in fact he started his career selling
in fact he started his career selling paper cups went on to be a real estate
paper cups went on to be a real estate
paper cups went on to be a real estate agent eventually was selling restaurant
agent eventually was selling restaurant
agent eventually was selling restaurant equipment and that’s when he discovered
equipment and that’s when he discovered
equipment and that’s when he discovered this the first McDonald’s which is run
this the first McDonald’s which is run
this the first McDonald’s which is run by these brothers in San Bernardino
by these brothers in San Bernardino
by these brothers in San Bernardino California
California
California and he loved the idea and his
and he loved the idea and his
and he loved the idea and his explorations had taken him there and he
explorations had taken him there and he
explorations had taken him there and he decided to take the plunge and what he
decided to take the plunge and what he
decided to take the plunge and what he started with that at that point of time
started with that at that point of time
started with that at that point of time is today a twenty five billion dollar
is today a twenty five billion dollar
is today a twenty five billion dollar business clearly his explorations and
business clearly his explorations and
business clearly his explorations and this was when he was in his mid forties
this was when he was in his mid forties
this was when he was in his mid forties is when he actually did this he was not
is when he actually did this he was not
is when he actually did this he was not afraid to try new things and that’s what
afraid to try new things and that’s what
afraid to try new things and that’s what led to his success and what we see as a
led to his success and what we see as a
led to his success and what we see as a great establishment today so the first
great establishment today so the first
great establishment today so the first lesson at least I take away is great
lesson at least I take away is great
lesson at least I take away is great writers explore they go beyond what we
writers explore they go beyond what we
writers explore they go beyond what we imagine and that’s what great business
imagine and that’s what great business
imagine and that’s what great business leaders do as well
leaders do as well
leaders do as well the second trade I want to talk about is
the second trade I want to talk about is
the second trade I want to talk about is observation this is and I’m sorry you
observation this is and I’m sorry you
observation this is and I’m sorry you can’t probably see it very clearly this
can’t probably see it very clearly this
can’t probably see it very clearly this is John Fulford’s a walk to south school
is John Fulford’s a walk to south school
is John Fulford’s a walk to south school you know basically a story on a page
you know basically a story on a page
you know basically a story on a page it’s essentially a route map of a child
it’s essentially a route map of a child
it’s essentially a route map of a child going from home to school and there are
going from home to school and there are
going from home to school and there are all the different destinations that the
all the different destinations that the
all the different destinations that the writer talks about as an example right
writer talks about as an example right
writer talks about as an example right on top there is dr. combs vaccinate dr.
on top there is dr. combs vaccinate dr.
on top there is dr. combs vaccinate dr. combs equals vaccinations equals ouch
combs equals vaccinations equals ouch
combs equals vaccinations equals ouch somewhere down there it says the
somewhere down there it says the
somewhere down there it says the greatest treehouse ever ours you can
greatest treehouse ever ours you can
greatest treehouse ever ours you can sense the feeling the emotion of
sense the feeling the emotion of
sense the feeling the emotion of ownership of the pride and the joy of
ownership of the pride and the joy of
ownership of the pride and the joy of probably countless afternoons spent on
probably countless afternoons spent on
probably countless afternoons spent on top of the treehouse
top of the treehouse
top of the treehouse my favorite is somewhere in the top you
my favorite is somewhere in the top you
my favorite is somewhere in the top you can see it’s a stone wall and you can
can see it’s a stone wall and you can
can see it’s a stone wall and you can walk by the wall but it says always walk
walk by the wall but it says always walk
walk by the wall but it says always walk on top also a good place to ask a girl
on top also a good place to ask a girl
on top also a good place to ask a girl to go steady
to go steady
to go steady everyday locations every day emotions
everyday locations every day emotions
everyday locations every day emotions but brought to life
but brought to life
but brought to life writers who are able to observe and see
writers who are able to observe and see
writers who are able to observe and see something in the same things that
something in the same things that
something in the same things that probably you and I don’t when we are
probably you and I don’t when we are
probably you and I don’t when we are thinking of it observation is also
thinking of it observation is also
thinking of it observation is also usually a great inspiration for business
usually a great inspiration for business
usually a great inspiration for business ideas I want to talk about at least one
ideas I want to talk about at least one
ideas I want to talk about at least one of them a product that we use probably
of them a product that we use probably
of them a product that we use probably quite regularly I know at least my son
quite regularly I know at least my son
quite regularly I know at least my son just loves gobbling these up the
just loves gobbling these up the
just loves gobbling these up the originally many years ago but she is
originally many years ago but she is
originally many years ago but she is used to be sold in slabs and people
used to be sold in slabs and people
used to be sold in slabs and people would have to slice it into small pieces
would have to slice it into small pieces
would have to slice it into small pieces or into into slices and put it in
or into into slices and put it in
or into into slices and put it in sandwiches or in burgers someone saw
sandwiches or in burgers someone saw
sandwiches or in burgers someone saw that someone observed it and realize
that someone observed it and realize
that someone observed it and realize that people did not like the wastage
that people did not like the wastage
that people did not like the wastage people did not like the variations in
people did not like the variations in
people did not like the variations in size and shape that would lead to
size and shape that would lead to
size and shape that would lead to someone innovated on the product side
someone innovated on the product side
someone innovated on the product side and created something which is now a
and created something which is now a
and created something which is now a multi-billion dollar business a simple
multi-billion dollar business a simple
multi-billion dollar business a simple observation of how people eat sandwiches
observation of how people eat sandwiches
observation of how people eat sandwiches and how people consume cheese which led
and how people consume cheese which led
and how people consume cheese which led to an idea which is seen as a business
to an idea which is seen as a business
to an idea which is seen as a business success today so observation of everyday
success today so observation of everyday
success today so observation of everyday things which leads to great business
things which leads to great business
things which leads to great business ideas is another thing that business
ideas is another thing that business
ideas is another thing that business mirrors best business leaders are able
mirrors best business leaders are able
mirrors best business leaders are able to do well next I talk about sharing of
to do well next I talk about sharing of
to do well next I talk about sharing of perspective for this I’ll actually you
perspective for this I’ll actually you
perspective for this I’ll actually you don’t take your license and while my
don’t take your license and while my
don’t take your license and while my talk said what business leaders can
talk said what business leaders can
talk said what business leaders can learn from writers I’ll wear away and
learn from writers I’ll wear away and
learn from writers I’ll wear away and talk about a couple of other streams of
talk about a couple of other streams of
talk about a couple of other streams of creative space as well let me start with
creative space as well let me start with
creative space as well let me start with this map of the world anyone notice
this map of the world anyone notice
this map of the world anyone notice anything odd about this speak up it’s
anything odd about this speak up it’s
anything odd about this speak up it’s upside down that’s right
upside down that’s right
upside down that’s right who said that north should always be on
who said that north should always be on
who said that north should always be on top who decided that it’s a matter of
top who decided that it’s a matter of
top who decided that it’s a matter of perspective it’s the same facts
perspective it’s the same facts
perspective it’s the same facts presented in a very different way which
presented in a very different way which
presented in a very different way which make us think about the world
make us think about the world
make us think about the world differently where Australia on top and
differently where Australia on top and
differently where Australia on top and Alaska is at the bottom so it’s all a
Alaska is at the bottom so it’s all a
Alaska is at the bottom so it’s all a matter of perspective here’s another
matter of perspective here’s another
matter of perspective here’s another example two paintings side-by-side with
example two paintings side-by-side with
example two paintings side-by-side with exactly the same subject it’s someone
exactly the same subject it’s someone
exactly the same subject it’s someone soaking their feet in a tub and having
soaking their feet in a tub and having
soaking their feet in a tub and having drawn it what makes it interesting is if
drawn it what makes it interesting is if
drawn it what makes it interesting is if you think about who the people are and
you think about who the people are and
you think about who the people are and who the painters and what perspective
who the painters and what perspective
who the painters and what perspective did they have in mind the one on my left
did they have in mind the one on my left
did they have in mind the one on my left I guess you’re right is by the famous
I guess you’re right is by the famous
I guess you’re right is by the famous Mexican painter Frida Kahlo and she was
Mexican painter Frida Kahlo and she was
Mexican painter Frida Kahlo and she was known for her and is known today even
known for her and is known today even
known for her and is known today even today for her imaginative self-portraits
today for her imaginative self-portraits
today for her imaginative self-portraits so you see you know and I’m not sure I
so you see you know and I’m not sure I
so you see you know and I’m not sure I you know pick up all of the nuances here
you know pick up all of the nuances here
you know pick up all of the nuances here but you see a toenail with a little bit
but you see a toenail with a little bit
but you see a toenail with a little bit of blood trickling down you see a what
of blood trickling down you see a what
of blood trickling down you see a what looks like a dead bird on top of a tree
looks like a dead bird on top of a tree
looks like a dead bird on top of a tree you see a sky scraper with smoke coming
you see a sky scraper with smoke coming
you see a sky scraper with smoke coming out coming out of volcano and I don’t
out coming out of volcano and I don’t
out coming out of volcano and I don’t know frankly what some of this means but
know frankly what some of this means but
know frankly what some of this means but the painter had a perspective that she
the painter had a perspective that she
the painter had a perspective that she wanted to share the one on the right is
wanted to share the one on the right is
wanted to share the one on the right is by George Bush the junior American
by George Bush the junior American
by George Bush the junior American president 2001 to 2009 relatively bland
president 2001 to 2009 relatively bland
president 2001 to 2009 relatively bland and plain perspective but his
and plain perspective but his
and plain perspective but his perspective netherland nevertheless
perspective netherland nevertheless
perspective netherland nevertheless exact same subject matter seen
exact same subject matter seen
exact same subject matter seen differently with a very different
differently with a very different
differently with a very different perspective and I feel that the best
perspective and I feel that the best
perspective and I feel that the best business leaders actually are good at
business leaders actually are good at
business leaders actually are good at what they do because they put a stake in
what they do because they put a stake in
what they do because they put a stake in the ground they are not shy to actually
the ground they are not shy to actually
the ground they are not shy to actually have a point of view they sometimes a
have a point of view they sometimes a
have a point of view they sometimes a point of view will be based on facts
point of view will be based on facts
point of view will be based on facts sometimes based on what the team’s tell
sometimes based on what the team’s tell
sometimes based on what the team’s tell them and sometimes based on pure
them and sometimes based on pure
them and sometimes based on pure intuition I remember a few years ago an
intuition I remember a few years ago an
intuition I remember a few years ago an industrial conglomerated asked us to
industrial conglomerated asked us to
industrial conglomerated asked us to look at the feasibility and the
look at the feasibility and the
look at the feasibility and the attractiveness of setting up a
attractiveness of setting up a
attractiveness of setting up a manufacturing plant in China team worked
manufacturing plant in China team worked
manufacturing plant in China team worked pretty hard over six weeks we did all
pretty hard over six weeks we did all
pretty hard over six weeks we did all the analysis and came to the conclusion
the analysis and came to the conclusion
the analysis and came to the conclusion that the real cost benefit was almost
that the real cost benefit was almost
that the real cost benefit was almost marginal there was no for all the hassle
marginal there was no for all the hassle
marginal there was no for all the hassle that they would have to go through it
that they would have to go through it
that they would have to go through it was not worth it so I remember going to
was not worth it so I remember going to
was not worth it so I remember going to the boardroom and presenting to the CEO
the boardroom and presenting to the CEO
the boardroom and presenting to the CEO saying that’s what our point of view was
saying that’s what our point of view was
saying that’s what our point of view was and she turned to me and said Amitabh
and she turned to me and said Amitabh
and she turned to me and said Amitabh let me show you with you my point of
let me show you with you my point of
let me show you with you my point of view I’m going to do it and I’m like but
view I’m going to do it and I’m like but
view I’m going to do it and I’m like but why look at the facts look at the data
why look at the facts look at the data
why look at the facts look at the data she said let’s call it an entrepreneurs
she said let’s call it an entrepreneurs
she said let’s call it an entrepreneurs call we are going to do it you went I
call we are going to do it you went I
call we are going to do it you went I rented it they set up the factory five
rented it they set up the factory five
rented it they set up the factory five years later now it’s actually you know
years later now it’s actually you know
years later now it’s actually you know our numbers have turned out to be
our numbers have turned out to be
our numbers have turned out to be exactly the way we had estimated the
exactly the way we had estimated the
exactly the way we had estimated the cost benefit has been frankly marginal
cost benefit has been frankly marginal
cost benefit has been frankly marginal but the team of that organization which
but the team of that organization which
but the team of that organization which is actually worked in sedima of the
is actually worked in sedima of the
is actually worked in sedima of the factory in China has learned so much
factory in China has learned so much
factory in China has learned so much about manufacturing styles and cost
about manufacturing styles and cost
about manufacturing styles and cost systems in China and has been able to
systems in China and has been able to
systems in China and has been able to bring it back to their factories in
bring it back to their factories in
bring it back to their factories in different parts of the world that is not
different parts of the world that is not
different parts of the world that is not something that we could ever have
something that we could ever have
something that we could ever have calculated or estimated so it’s been a
calculated or estimated so it’s been a
calculated or estimated so it’s been a great learning from that point of view
great learning from that point of view
great learning from that point of view and hence you know a perspective one of
and hence you know a perspective one of
and hence you know a perspective one of the best examples
the best examples
the best examples in the world of business leader with the
in the world of business leader with the
in the world of business leader with the perspective is a business leader that
perspective is a business leader that
perspective is a business leader that touches many of you how many people with
touches many of you how many people with
touches many of you how many people with an iPhone here in the room quite a few
an iPhone here in the room quite a few
an iPhone here in the room quite a few so Steve Jobs is probably the master of
so Steve Jobs is probably the master of
so Steve Jobs is probably the master of this when he you know first came up with
this when he you know first came up with
this when he you know first came up with the Macintosh it wasn’t an IBM dominated
the Macintosh it wasn’t an IBM dominated
the Macintosh it wasn’t an IBM dominated world where the systems were just not
world where the systems were just not
world where the systems were just not compatible but the Macintosh had
compatible but the Macintosh had
compatible but the Macintosh had creativity the Macintosh had romance the
creativity the Macintosh had romance the
creativity the Macintosh had romance the Macintosh had the vision that Steve Jobs
Macintosh had the vision that Steve Jobs
Macintosh had the vision that Steve Jobs went ahead with and then he repeated it
went ahead with and then he repeated it
went ahead with and then he repeated it again with iPod with iTunes with iPhone
again with iPod with iTunes with iPhone
again with iPod with iTunes with iPhone with iPod just again and again and again
with iPod just again and again and again
with iPod just again and again and again probably one of the best examples I can
probably one of the best examples I can
probably one of the best examples I can think of of just having a point of view
think of of just having a point of view
think of of just having a point of view and having a perspective and sharing it
and having a perspective and sharing it
and having a perspective and sharing it to the world in fact he is very famously
to the world in fact he is very famously
to the world in fact he is very famously known to have said that he doesn’t
known to have said that he doesn’t
known to have said that he doesn’t believe in customer research or consumer
believe in customer research or consumer
believe in customer research or consumer research because consumers don’t know
research because consumers don’t know
research because consumers don’t know what they want
what they want
what they want till someone tells them what they want
till someone tells them what they want
till someone tells them what they want that to me my friends is an example of
that to me my friends is an example of
that to me my friends is an example of sharing a perspective having a
sharing a perspective having a
sharing a perspective having a perspective and sharing it the final
perspective and sharing it the final
perspective and sharing it the final piece I’ll talk about is what writers in
piece I’ll talk about is what writers in
piece I’ll talk about is what writers in the world of writing and I had not heard
the world of writing and I had not heard
the world of writing and I had not heard this term before till I went to Iowa
this term before till I went to Iowa
this term before till I went to Iowa called show not tell which is a skill
called show not tell which is a skill
called show not tell which is a skill that great writers have and I will
that great writers have and I will
that great writers have and I will there’s an extract here from our own
there’s an extract here from our own
there’s an extract here from our own that is Roy’s god of small things and
that is Roy’s god of small things and
that is Roy’s god of small things and I’ll read some parts of it I know it’s
I’ll read some parts of it I know it’s
I’ll read some parts of it I know it’s very small font but I’ll read some of it
very small font but I’ll read some of it
very small font but I’ll read some of it for you me in M&M is a hot rooting month
for you me in M&M is a hot rooting month
for you me in M&M is a hot rooting month the days are long and humid the river
the days are long and humid the river
the days are long and humid the river shrinks and black crowes gorge on the
shrinks and black crowes gorge on the
shrinks and black crowes gorge on the bright mangoes in still dust green trees
bright mangoes in still dust green trees
bright mangoes in still dust green trees red bananas ripen jackfruits burst
red bananas ripen jackfruits burst
red bananas ripen jackfruits burst dissolute blue bottles hum vacuously in
dissolute blue bottles hum vacuously in
dissolute blue bottles hum vacuously in the fruity air then stun themselves
the fruity air then stun themselves
the fruity air then stun themselves against clear window panes and die
against clear window panes and die
against clear window panes and die faculty baffled in the sun the nights
faculty baffled in the sun the nights
faculty baffled in the sun the nights are clear but suffused with sloth and
are clear but suffused with sloth and
are clear but suffused with sloth and sullen expectation look at the richness
sullen expectation look at the richness
sullen expectation look at the richness of detail in that a reader reading it
of detail in that a reader reading it
of detail in that a reader reading it can actually imagine that main M&M and
can actually imagine that main M&M and
can actually imagine that main M&M and what use of colors and language in the
what use of colors and language in the
what use of colors and language in the same passage there are dust grain trees
same passage there are dust grain trees
same passage there are dust grain trees there is an immodest green in the
there is an immodest green in the
there is an immodest green in the countryside and there are brick walls
countryside and there are brick walls
countryside and there are brick walls that turn moss green all green but very
that turn moss green all green but very
that turn moss green all green but very different versions of green evoking very
different versions of green evoking very
different versions of green evoking very different image
different image
different image or mine and this is all about the detail
or mine and this is all about the detail
or mine and this is all about the detail about getting into the detail now you
about getting into the detail now you
about getting into the detail now you may be wondering what does this have to
may be wondering what does this have to
may be wondering what does this have to do with business leaders should they be
do with business leaders should they be
do with business leaders should they be in the details all the time actually no
in the details all the time actually no
in the details all the time actually no on the contrary best business leaders
on the contrary best business leaders
on the contrary best business leaders zoom up but the point I wanted to make
zoom up but the point I wanted to make
zoom up but the point I wanted to make is that the best business leaders are
is that the best business leaders are
is that the best business leaders are the ones who lead from the front they
the ones who lead from the front they
the ones who lead from the front they are not afraid to roll up their sleeves
are not afraid to roll up their sleeves
are not afraid to roll up their sleeves and jump in and fight it out when they
and jump in and fight it out when they
and jump in and fight it out when they have to fight it out one of my best
have to fight it out one of my best
have to fight it out one of my best examples of this is so I do a lot of
examples of this is so I do a lot of
examples of this is so I do a lot of work in retail and one of the best parts
work in retail and one of the best parts
work in retail and one of the best parts of my job is actually sitting retail
of my job is actually sitting retail
of my job is actually sitting retail stores I love being in stores where
stores I love being in stores where
stores I love being in stores where strategy becomes reality or actually is
strategy becomes reality or actually is
strategy becomes reality or actually is very poor strategy and you find it out
very poor strategy and you find it out
very poor strategy and you find it out in the stores and a few years ago I was
in the stores and a few years ago I was
in the stores and a few years ago I was in Punjab visiting the stores of a major
in Punjab visiting the stores of a major
in Punjab visiting the stores of a major retailer it was sweltering hot and I was
retailer it was sweltering hot and I was
retailer it was sweltering hot and I was with the CEO of the business and we were
with the CEO of the business and we were
with the CEO of the business and we were very happy that we actually went inside
very happy that we actually went inside
very happy that we actually went inside the store air-conditioned nice we walked
the store air-conditioned nice we walked
the store air-conditioned nice we walked around the store everything looked good
around the store everything looked good
around the store everything looked good and then the CEO said let’s actually
and then the CEO said let’s actually
and then the CEO said let’s actually just do a quick huddle in the back room
just do a quick huddle in the back room
just do a quick huddle in the back room the entire stores staff and myself and
the entire stores staff and myself and
the entire stores staff and myself and we all went into the back room and I
we all went into the back room and I
we all went into the back room and I thought he was going to give them a pat
thought he was going to give them a pat
thought he was going to give them a pat in the back for a very well-run store
in the back for a very well-run store
in the back for a very well-run store room nice for the store for the
room nice for the store for the
room nice for the store for the customers instead he goes and he picks
customers instead he goes and he picks
customers instead he goes and he picks up this fire extinguisher and he raises
up this fire extinguisher and he raises
up this fire extinguisher and he raises it and he says how many people know how
it and he says how many people know how
it and he says how many people know how to use this it’s mandatory by law to
to use this it’s mandatory by law to
to use this it’s mandatory by law to have a fire extinguisher
have a fire extinguisher
have a fire extinguisher also since they have one it better be
also since they have one it better be
also since they have one it better be useful and hence people should be able
useful and hence people should be able
useful and hence people should be able to know how to use it
to know how to use it
to know how to use it and he asked the question and they were
and he asked the question and they were
and he asked the question and they were all very honest two of them said raise
all very honest two of them said raise
all very honest two of them said raise their hands and everyone else looked
their hands and everyone else looked
their hands and everyone else looked down at their feet I thought he was
down at their feet I thought he was
down at their feet I thought he was going to give him a lecture I thought he
going to give him a lecture I thought he
going to give him a lecture I thought he was going to tell them why it was really
was going to tell them why it was really
was going to tell them why it was really important for them to do it and he was
important for them to do it and he was
important for them to do it and he was going to well not be very pleased about
going to well not be very pleased about
going to well not be very pleased about it instead he just smiled I said come
it instead he just smiled I said come
it instead he just smiled I said come with me we all trooped outside back in
with me we all trooped outside back in
with me we all trooped outside back in the sweltering heat of Punjab and he
the sweltering heat of Punjab and he
the sweltering heat of Punjab and he lifted up the fire extinguisher went
lifted up the fire extinguisher went
lifted up the fire extinguisher went through the steps and actually operated
through the steps and actually operated
through the steps and actually operated it on the ground there was no fire but
it on the ground there was no fire but
it on the ground there was no fire but Lee one by one he got every single store
Lee one by one he got every single store
Lee one by one he got every single store employee and remember he’s the CEO of
employee and remember he’s the CEO of
employee and remember he’s the CEO of the company these are the lowest paid
the company these are the lowest paid
the company these are the lowest paid employees in the firm he got one by one
employees in the firm he got one by one
employees in the firm he got one by one all of them to take the fire
all of them to take the fire
all of them to take the fire extinguisher and actually operate it for
extinguisher and actually operate it for
extinguisher and actually operate it for a few minutes till they all felt
a few minutes till they all felt
a few minutes till they all felt comfortable that is a lesson I can
comfortable that is a lesson I can
comfortable that is a lesson I can guarantee you they will never forget
guarantee you they will never forget
guarantee you they will never forget that’s the power of showing not telling
that’s the power of showing not telling
that’s the power of showing not telling that’s the power of a leader not being
that’s the power of a leader not being
that’s the power of a leader not being afraid to
afraid to
afraid to details and actually doing what he
details and actually doing what he
details and actually doing what he expects his or her team to do and yes
expects his or her team to do and yes
expects his or her team to do and yes that is John snow from the Battle of the
that is John snow from the Battle of the
that is John snow from the Battle of the bastards I’ll end with a quote from
bastards I’ll end with a quote from
bastards I’ll end with a quote from Anton Chekhov one of my favorite short
Anton Chekhov one of my favorite short
Anton Chekhov one of my favorite short story writers one of the most gifted
story writers one of the most gifted
story writers one of the most gifted ones I would argue that you know our
ones I would argue that you know our
ones I would argue that you know our generation Israel talent is long
generation Israel talent is long
generation Israel talent is long patience there are many people and many
patience there are many people and many
patience there are many people and many of you sitting here who will be great
of you sitting here who will be great
of you sitting here who will be great business leaders many of you have the
business leaders many of you have the
business leaders many of you have the talent and I would argue that while they
talent and I would argue that while they
talent and I would argue that while they can be all kinds of lists that you see
can be all kinds of lists that you see
can be all kinds of lists that you see in business books out there my
in business books out there my
in business books out there my submission to you is that if you want to
submission to you is that if you want to
submission to you is that if you want to be a great business leader there are
be a great business leader there are
be a great business leader there are four things that you need to keep in
four things that you need to keep in
four things that you need to keep in mind first you have to have the courage
mind first you have to have the courage
mind first you have to have the courage to explore to go to a song mode you have
to explore to go to a song mode you have
to explore to go to a song mode you have to have the discipline to observe to pay
to have the discipline to observe to pay
to have the discipline to observe to pay attention to those details and see in it
attention to those details and see in it
attention to those details and see in it beyond what everyone else is seen you
beyond what everyone else is seen you
beyond what everyone else is seen you have to have a perspective and you have
have to have a perspective and you have
have to have a perspective and you have to have the confidence to share this
to have the confidence to share this
to have the confidence to share this perspective as yours and take the fall
perspective as yours and take the fall
perspective as yours and take the fall for it when it goes when the calls go
for it when it goes when the calls go
for it when it goes when the calls go wrong and finally you have the humility
wrong and finally you have the humility
wrong and finally you have the humility to show and not tell thank you everyone
to show and not tell thank you everyone
to show and not tell thank you everyone for the time it’s been a pleasure
for the time it’s been a pleasure
for the time it’s been a pleasure talking to you thank you very much
”
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