The most powerful lesson in making good choices

We make the most of what we can control, one choice at a time. And I choose to share that today would’ve been my mother’s 76th birthday. Marlena Ceballos McMath passed on May 4, 2019. I address the ripping grief by remembering to help others, as everyone knows a moment like this eventually. I also

Pondering the phenomenon of political messaging by consumer and B2B brands

[#foundwriting intensifies] I don’t hide my politics when people get to know me, but I have a hard time with the idea of putting them out there in static content directly branded for my business. I much prefer to get along with people based on common interests, and whereas the professional context often makes that

A brief bio for a talk on “coronapreneurship”

As mentioned previously, I asked to be an alumni speaker at an event for my prep school*. They were interested in what I had to say, and that will be happening in a week or so. In the meantime, as a lover of found writing (they asked for a bio) I wanted to share how

Entreprenarcissism reloaded: trauma bonding

See previous comments here and here. Recap: entrepreneurship is not without a certain narcissism, but with that fuel comes diminishing returns and ultimately toxicity. When the founder treats their avatar as an avatar propter avatar, they solve only for ego to the detriment of scale, servant leadership, and ultimately sustainable value. This is considered harmful.

Lessons learned from a year of “coronapreneurship”

“Circumstances change, but values and talents can endure. That’s why it’s crucial to lean into challenges.”

Understanding pivots

Plans change. Sometimes our efforts are better received in a new direction. Everybody pivots. A successful pivot depends on persuading others of your credibility in a field that is new to you. How? Link their understanding to a common context for yours, by appealing to the emotional transformation you’ll together seek to provide. A loved

Ownership of useful knowledge creation

Who designs the flow of information in your life? Does that flow set you up for successful choices? Does it help you seek clarity and find opportunities? These are questions as unavoidable as their answers are valuable. Clear communication and clear thinking fuel each other. Everything we want to create or achieve proceeds from this

How to get it done

Found writing, how I love thee. From a performance review with one of my team members at McMath Solutions: Business is not this monolithic thing that you either don’t know or you do know. You don’t suddenly cross over to being an eminence gris with a mantle full of credentials. It’s always experimental. You can

They pay for control

A worthwhile observation: In commerce, whether selling or buying, it pays to manage for the emotional states that the sales process both heightens and offers to resolve. As the title suggests, I might’ve figured out which form of soothing is the root benefit for what I do at McMath Solutions. It’s also the main emotional

Entreprenarcissism reloaded: short comments

Last time out, I wrote something a bit challenging. It wasn’t the most flattering light in which to see ourselves, or a trusted peer. But I stand by it. We each have the first responsibility to mind our own character. Don’t let necessary self-belief become corrupted, or it will poison personal and professional lives alike.