• STRATEGIC THINKING IS A CORE AND CRITICAL FACTOR IN EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP. “A good leader must recognize the patterns and systems around them, shift perspective to keep an eye on the entirety of the goal, develop a structure that moves toward a defined vision, and navigate the complex politics inherent to any system of people.” Five mental disciplines can best facilitate the ability to recognize challenges, establish priorities and mobilize employee teams: (1) Patterns & Systems – the realities of which pieces move to impact opportunities and/or potential vulnerabilities, and how those pieces will most likely interact; (2) Mental Agility – the capacity to change perspective and pivot between expectations versus bottom-line details & impacts; (3) Problem-solving Structure – to ensure that only relevant parameters get addressed, with flexibility to recognize impacts on teams (and stakeholders) to build critical consensus; (5) Visioning – the capacity to manage the balancing act always necessary to avoid demotivating those who question expectations; (5) Political Savvy – presenting direction as best for the organization versus self-serving actions. DCG provides guidance in strategic thinking & direction as our core service.  [BIG THINK]
  • AMERICA’S COVID RESPONSE POLICIES WERE “AN AMAZING CASE STUDY IN ‘GROUPTHINK’ and the effects of partisan bias, as aggressive policies (often misguided) were pushed by progressive elites (including school shutdowns, business closures, mask mandates, social distancing) without weighing costs vs benefits. Policymakers and ‘experts’ often embraced stringent measures for reasons more political than medical, keen to assure anxious publics that they were ‘in charge’ and ‘doing something,’ but which meanwhile impacted permanent learning loss, school absenteeism, small business defaults, mental health, and inflation – as some $5 trillion intended for economic relief ended up 10% stolen by fraud with only 10% actually going to direct medical expenses of hospitals or vaccine distribution.” [THE GUARDIAN]
  • DEEPFAKES ARE INCREASINGLY BEING WEAPONIZED FOR FINANCIAL FRAUD AND ELECTION MANIPULATION. “A.I. systems can now generate hundreds of images per second – life-like video and full voice clones enabling convincing, deceptive deepfakes which have surged by 3000% recently, undermining the very concept of truth itself. The old adage ‘seeing is believing’ simply no longer applies. Use caution with any unusual request and approach sudden demands for money, personal info, or urgent action with healthy skepticism. Vigilance remains our most powerful defense against scammers who are targeting both your wallet and your trust.”  [PETER DIAMANDIS]  

THOUGHTS FOR THE WEEK:

  • “No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in sizes, so governments’ programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we’ll ever see on this earth.” [RONALD REAGAN]
  •  “Cold hard math: our allies have shut their markets to our cars while the U.S. market has been flooded with theirs. We have a $53 BILLION annual automotive trade deficit with Japan, $50 BILLION with S Korea, and $40 BILLION with Europe — this was all deliberate.” — White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller
  •  County of LA has just agreed to a $4 billion settlement of claims involving nearly 7,000 kids who were sexually abused in a County-run shelter for children as young as 5. The Center had been closed down over two decades ago, due to a barrage of allegations of abuse and other malfeasance while being housed in various facilities.