Mar 23, 2016

Einstein–We Cannot Solve Problems With The Same Thinking…

When Einstein said “We cannot solve problems with the same thinking we used when we created them”, almost nobody takes this to mean that we need someone else to solve the problems created by another.

Book Notes: The Science of Success

The Science of Success: How Market-Based Management Built the World’s Largest Private Company by Charles G. Koch

Charles Koch, CEO of Koch Industries and son of Fred Koch, the founder of Koch Industries (originally Winkler-Koch), reflects on the principles and values embraced by Koch industries.  The author expounds on the strengths of the liberal approach to the market (liberal, as in ‘free market’, F.A. Hayek, von Mises, Milton Friedman).

This is a thoughtful reflection on how Koch developed and met its challenges. Not a lively read, brimming with common sense.

Some notes:

  • The quotes at the beginning of each chapter is carefully selected and profound.  For example: “There is a natural aristocracy among men. The grounds of this are virtue and talents.”

Mar 8, 2016

Teamwork

Came across this advice.  From a systems perspective it makes sense.  The most team is not the one where everyone tries to be the best, but the one where everyone works well together.  The surest way to destroy a team is to rank the members.

team work (1)

To make the best team, make sure everyone is trying to be the best for the team, not the best on the team.

Except, people’s competitive nature will show up:

A: “I’m the best for the team!”

B: No, you’re not. I am!”