Republished from Vernacular Nicely Said #44 —
Hello. Long time. Nice to see you. Today’s number: 1 billion. That’s the current number of LinkedIn members. Around half – 500,000,000 – are thought leaders. That’s a lot of thinking and leading and leading thinking. So many mundane encounters offering profound business lessons.
Today, for example, as I drove to a meeting, I ran over a dead Pukeko (the popular swamp hen).
As the feathery carcass thudded under my speeding wheels it occurred to me – this wasn’t just roadkill, this was a MASTERCLASS in business strategy.
LESSON 1: Sometimes obstacles are already defeated when you encounter them. Don’t waste energy solving problems that have solved themselves.
LESSON 2: Keep moving forward. I could have stopped to reflect on the bird’s tragic journey, but my schedule demanded momentum. Top performers don’t let small bumps or dead animals derail their day.
LESSON 3: The bird didn’t see the car coming. Market disruption is similar – it’s often too late when you realise you’re in the path of innovation. Innovation brakes for no one.
LESSON 4: Bumps. That’s FEEDBACK. In business, always be aware of the feedback your actions create, even if it’s just the slight disturbance of a carcass in your otherwise smooth journey.
LESSON 5: Choose to go OVER rather than around. Sometimes the direct path forward, though seemingly inhumane and squishy, is the most efficient use of resources.
That dead bird taught me more in 2 seconds than my MBA did in 2 years.
What mundane experience has unexpectedly transformed YOUR business mindset today?
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