It is obvious, right ?

Ever been involved in a situation where the path forward seems obvious to everyone, except you ? Everyone in the discussion is leaning toward a certain direction, they are feeding off one another building a strong contentious….but you are listening and thinking “what the - - - -?”

You listen, you genuinely look for the logic in their thinking, you wonder whether you should just go along for the ride, or…..

You finally have the courage to say; “Guys what am I missing here ? Why does everyone believe that this is the obvious direction to take when there are several other options to consider ?.....

Then it happens. Several of the folks that were only moments ago driving confidently toward a direction, are considering options, even aligning with your thinking. Why does this scenario play out so many times ?

I think people generally like to follow not lead. Further people generally migrate toward proposed decisions rather than debate.

As accountable and responsible professionals tasked with doing the right thing, we need to be aware of this phenomenon and interject logic in otherwise illogical debates.

This is not about dragging on debates for the fun of it, nor about being contrary, it is about recognizing that “what is obvious to a group of people who are feeding off each other…” may be anything but obvious.

Don’t be scared to ask the tough question(s) when the group is heading toward the obvious.

It is obvious, right ?

Dan MacDonald

Think it through

Those of us who are caught up in the fast pace of life, have less and less time to think.

I am not talking about going to the top of the mountain alone for days on end, nor am I talking about procrastination. I am talking about the concept of "thinking through a situation" so as to find the best path forward. Thinking something through may take five minutes or it may take a weekend.

Some of us think out load and need to talk it out with others, while others are silent thinkers.

When you look back at the things you have done well vs. the things you wish you could "do over", I wonder how many of the latter you could have avoided. Not them all I am sure, but I'll bet there are a few notables.

Reacting to a situation on instinct, especially a tough situation, can be impressive but it can also be disastrous. We obviously do not always have the opportunity to think it through, as professionals we are expected to think on our feet, but when we have the time do doesn't it make sense to.

Think it through.

Dan MacDonald

Speaking of Paris

Speaking of Paris, that's where I am now.

What a truly amazing city.
Any description I could provide would never do justice to Paris.

Some observations:
- very clean
- amazing architecture, history, and character every where you look
- museums are wonderful (this coming from a guy who went just because he thought he should)
- streets go in every direction making map reading a challenge
- excellent coffee, bread, cheese, wine, …all foods taste great
- fashion…say no more
- people park bumper to bumper. Not exactly sure how they get in or out. Will make sure I figure that out before we leave ;)
- tiny grocery stores with one of everything in a 150 sq ft
- huge double doors leading to garden court yards in the middle of apartment blocks

- baguette for 1 Euro, good red wine for 5 Euro, excellent cheese....=)

Paris is clearly the most unique place on earth.

Dan MacDonald

There is just something about it

Having traveled back to Silicon Valley this past week, it was fascinating to re-experience the pace, the confidence, and the overall activity.

In the Bay Area of California, AKA Silicon Valley, you will find people from every corner of the globe converging together to “build”. Build new business models, new products, new services, new everything. You’ll find the worlds largest concentration of early and later stage venture capital and investment banking firms who specialize in high technology. You will find some of the worlds finest universities, attracting the brightest minds from around the globe.

Come to think of it. Silicon Valley is made up of very driven people from around the world. The collective experiences and perspectives of these people propel the area faster than any other place.

Whether you are at work, the pub, the grocery store, the soccer pitch or the gym discussion centers around building business. Silicon Valley is all about networking. In every discussion about building business, people are connecting people of common interest or expertise. “Oh, you really need to connect with _____, she is an expert in _______, also you must connect with _______, he built then sold _________ which was in a very familiar space.” And so it goes.

I lived and worked in Silicon Valley from 1999 trough 2005. Through the boom, the bust, and recovery I and 10,000’s of others worked at a pace and style unlike any other place on earth.

The buzz you get from the above, combined with the amazing weather, food, access to the great outdoors (desert, mountains, snow, beach all within 20 minutes to 3 hours) and wine makes Silicon Valley a fantastic.

Yes the traffic can be ugly, the house prices are #@$%^&*! but what place in the world doesn’t have a issue or two ?

Jurisdictions all over the world have tried to mirror Silicon Valley’s recipe for success.
In my opinion, it would be like setting out to create Paris. While very different in almost every way, Paris is uniquely Paris, and Silicon Valley is uniquely Silicon Valley.

That being said, jurisdictions can take some great lessons from the history of Silicon Valley and look to upgrade/tune their own relevant economic and social ecosystem.

Silicon Valley. Hmm…Boy do I miss it.

There is just something about it.

Dan MacDonald