Management Archives

Stockdale Paradox: In Business, Face the Brutal Facts

What is the Stockdale Paradox? The “Stockdale Paradox” is the stoic acceptance of business realities coupled with an unwavering faith in eventual triumph. This concept was coined by Jim Collins in his book Good to Great. We’ll cover the Stockdale Paradox and why it’s so important to face the brutal realities of the market in order for your business to succeed. Additionally, we’ll look at how you can be a truth-telling leader that uses the facts to your advantage.

Good Is the Enemy of Great: Jim Collins on Business Success

In his book Good to Great, Jim Collins argues that good is the enemy of great. Why? And must we all strive for greatness? What separates the good companies from the truly great ones? We’ll cover why good is the enemy of great and Jim Collins’s strategies for turning a good company into a great one.

Aircraft Checklist: How It Works + How to Harness Its Power

How do aircraft checklists keep us safe? The field of aviation was one of the first to adopt the use of checklists, and we can learn a lot from how the rigor of these checklists (and the professionals who use them) keep passengers safe. We’ll cover aviation checklists at Boeing and discuss how checklists can benefit the rest of us.

How to Make a Checklist—5 Steps for Great Checklists

While it should be simple to use, developing an effective checklist isn’t a simple task. It requires analysis, real-world testing, and revision. You may wonder how to make a checklist that’s effective. We’ll cover strategies for how to make a checklist from a flight desk designer for Boeing. We’ll also look at why checklists are so effective and provide a checklist for your checklist, so you can make the most effective checklist possible.

Restaurant Checklist: The Key to Excellence + Consistency

What are the benefits of a restaurant checklist? Is it really necessary for chefs, managers, and servers to work together? We’ll look at how the restaurant Rialto, in Boston, uses restaurant checklists to provide excellent food and service, and we’ll cover how checklists can be used in other environments as well.

Empowerment in the Workplace: How It Makes People More Productive

Is it important that your employees feel empowered? What are the benefits of enacting empowerment in the workplace? We’ll look at examples of empowerment in the workplace and explore why empowered employees can make your company more successful.

A Leader Leads by Example, Not by Force (Sun Tzu)

Who said, “A leader leads by example, not by force”? This quote comes from Sun Tzu’s The Art of War. How can you avoid force when managing your team? We’ll cover how Tzu suggests that a leader lead by example, and we’ll also look at situations in which Tzu thinks that punishments are necessary to get your troops in line.

Sun Tzu on Spies: 5 Types of Spies and How to Use Them

In The Art of War, Sun Tzu advocated for the use of spies. What role do Sun Tzu’s spies play in battle? What are the different types? We’ll cover the 5 types of Sun Tzu’s spies and how Sun Tzu suggests warriors use them to be victorious in battle.

Jin Dynasty: 3 Lessons on Success in Battle (Sun Tzu)

What can we learn from the way China’s Jin Dynasty conducted itself in battle? What lessons can the Jin Dynasty teach us about knowing your enemy, exploiting momentum, and governing your forces? We’ll cover the Jin Dynasty’s military strategies and what we can learn from their successes and defeats.

Meaning of “Strategy Without Tactic Is the Slowest Route to Victory”

In The Art of War, Sun Tzu says, “Strategy without tactic is the slowest route to victory.” What did Tzu mean by this? What is strategy without tactic? We’ll cover what Tzu says is the slowest route to victory. Learn how the strategic use of resources and management of troops can win you the battle.