Welcome to the November issue of The Exponential Executive.

In this Issue

	To Succeed in the Future, Think Like a Child, Now!
	Do You Yield for New Information?
	To Be Persuasive, Unlearn

In Other News

From helping theatre professionals unlearn to assisting automotive executives understand how to lead large organizations in an era of exponential change, this month will have me traveling from New York to Detroit and various points in between helping organizations navigate the future. For a glimpse into the insights I am sharing with my clients, I invite you to peruse the following articles on aging , energy, health care and even politics . (Just click on the associated link.)

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To Succeed in the Future, Think Like a Child, Now!

Success Magazine recently published an article entitled "Think Like a Child” in which I was quoted extensively. I encourage you to read it because, in addition to my insights (which, not surprisingly, I believe merit your attention), it cites a number of other experts and practioners of “thinking like a child.” Here are just a few of the child-like characteristics woth emulating:

1. Children are naturally curious and open-minded;
2. Children aren’t conscious of what other people think;
3. Children don’t easily take “no” for an answer;
4. Children understand that recess can be the most important part of the day;
5. Children engage their imagination and aren’t afraid to try on new roles;
6. Children draw their inspiration from other children; and
7. Children don’t view setbacks as failures.

Do You Yield for New Information?

"Be very, very careful what you put into that head, because you will never, ever get it out.”—Thomas Cardinal Wolsey

Question: What two colors are the yield sign?

Did you say yellow and black? That answer would have been correct if Marcus Welby, M.D. was still the top-rated show on TV; Richard Nixon occupied the White House; or NASDAQ had yet to become a leading stock market index. The yield sign, though, has been red and white since 1971. Interestingly, a large number of people—including many born after 1971 - still erroneously believe the yield sign is yellow and black.

This phenomenon demonstrates that once a thing has been learned—even something as common as the color of a sign—it can be very difficult to unlearn. To understand its implications for the computer, telecom, automotive and coffee industries -- and, quite possibily your own business or line of work -- I invite you to read my full article on the subject here.
 

To Be Persuasive, Unlearn

Writing in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Mark Bowden recently had an excellent commentary entitled "The lost art of influence." At one point he wrote, "Being persuasive is hard, because it demands you consider that you might be wrong. To refute opposing points of view capably (and winningly) you must first really hear opposing points of view."

Admitting that you might be wrong and really listening -- the two skills are also integral components of unlearning. Therefore, I'd argue, if you want to enhance your skills of persuasion it would also behoove you to enhance your unlearning skills.

Of course, I'm open to your ideas and I promise I'll really listen if you disagree with me.