How non-Mormons and Mormons can build stronger relationships
I hesitate writing this post. I am not “Mormon”. But I am married to a Mormon. I also live in Utah. In Utah, Mormons make up 63% of the state population; a majority. If you are a non-Mormon in Utah, it can be difficult to build new relationships with Mormons. This makes social and business life hard: relationships are the foundation of a happy life and a winning business. In order for Utah to maximize its opportunity, non-Mormons and Mormons need to build real relationships and work together.
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Your cap table is your culture
When I say cap table, I’m referring to your company’s capitalization (“cap”) table. In its simplest form, the cap table is a list that shows who owns what percentage of your company. When I say culture, I am referring to the behavior values and motivations that create your company's unique social and emotional environment. Your company will ultimately adopt the behavior values and motivations of the people who control it: the majority owners (or “shareholders”).
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A year after being “let go”
The question of “what’s next” was harder to answer than I expected. To make matters worse, I received conflicting advice on how to approach the answer. On one side, people told me not to worry too much about it and to “jump back into the saddle”. On the other, people told me to take as much time off as I could afford. I chose the latter.
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A Framework (or System) for Writing Better and Faster
Writing is my creative outlet. It is the best way for me to express myself. So I’ve built a writing system to help me maximize my output. My writing system enables two outcomes: gaining knowledge and sharing knowledge. It also prioritizes the quality of my writing over the quantity of words. Finally, my writing reduces writer's block and procrastination.
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Empower people with non-judgemental listening
As humans, we need to judge. Our survival depends on it. Judgement is how we assess danger. It is a tool for survival. Yet, judgement threatens our ability to empower people. Why? Because it prevents us from understanding them.
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How good do you want to be?
My parents always told me I could be whatever I wanted to be. I believed them. It’s not how good I am, it’s how good I want to be. In It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want To Be, Paul Arden examines this concept in detail. I’ve converted my favorite takeaways and quotes from Arden’s book into personal mantras below. Each of these statements is powerful and deep in its own right.
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I’m no longer the CEO of PeopleKeep
It is hard to write those words. After nearly four years as CEO of PeopleKeep and nearly six years leading Zane Benefits (now, a PeopleKeep subsidiary), I've decided to become a ski bum. I’m kidding. I was asked to resign. While the path forward doesn’t include me, the Board is more aligned than ever on the next steps for the company, and I support the direction.
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3 steps for Constructive Disruption
Innovative companies win by disrupting stale industries. When a new entrant challenges the existing model with a disruptive innovation, the incumbents respond predictably. Smear campaigns. Anti-disruptor regulation. Frivolous law suits. Whatever will slow down the new entrant and its disruptive innovation.
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