Between The Heart and The Head

Originally from A Captured Mind Newsletter...

Image courtesy of scottchan at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Imagine your closest friend decided to move away suddenly in the middle of the night. What would you do? Search high and low or just forget about it? In today’s business environment that’s exactly what has happened: whether a customer or your workforce, people have moved to where they believe there is adventure. 

If you are a Baby Boomer, born between 1946 and 1965, you were raised to obey the rules and follow the system. Authority figures are to be respected. Over a 20-year career you were supposed to get the corner office, a great salary and younger workers were going to look up to you and respect you for all your accomplishments.



How’s that working out so far?
 


Now if you are Generation Y, those born between 1977 and 1993, you’ve been raised to be entrepreneurs, question the old and create the new, and push against authority, question the status quo and never, ever take a job doing something you do not love.



Boomers versus Gen Y is the difference between logic and passion. The head versus the heart. Let me relay a story this month that I feel is important as we try to figure out the nature of business in The Information Age…



Russell Conwell was a soldier in the Union Army during the American Civil War in 1862. Conwell wrote such graphic and detailed reports of events on the battlefield, that he earned a position as field correspondent for 2 major newspapers immediately after the war.

On one of his assignments, as he accompanied a group of British tourists on tour around the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, where he met an old Arab tour guide in Baghdad. The tour guide told him the fable that became the foundation of his life’s philosophy—and the cornerstone of his now famous speech, Acres of Diamonds:

Once upon a time, an old Buddhist priest seemed to capture the attention of a young, but wealthy Persian farmer named Ali Hafed. Although Ali had everything he needed— orchards, grain-fields, gardens and a beautiful home for his family—the priest captured his imagination with an amazing story of rich diamond fields of such beauty and wealth, men from all over sought their glistening vistas. What intrigued the farmer the most was that there were so many diamonds, you didn’t even have to mine them…just pick them from the ground. Very little effort with an astounding return. It more than captured the farmer’s imagination, it made him depressed. Even though the day before Ali had been content, he now discovered, that he wasn’t wealthy at all in comparison to one who could own a diamond mine.

The priest continued  to regale Ali…

“if you had one diamond, let’s say, the size of your thumb, from this field, you could purchase the entire county… and if you had a mine of such diamonds you could place your own children into positions of power and influence.”


So, despite all his wealth, Ali Hafed sold his fertile lands, put his family up with a neighbor, and set off for the rich diamond fields…far, far, away from where he lived. 

Although the priest gave him the directions to the diamond fields, Ali Hafed traveled for years, lost everything he held dear, became ragged and destitute, and eventually threw himself into the ocean to die.

Ironically, the new owner of Ali’s land began to explore his newly purchased property. While his camel took a drink from a stream, he noticed a flash of light from the sands under the water. There before him was a small but strange black rock that seemed to contain every color of the rainbow. He placed the rock on the mantle of his fireplace and forgot about it.



You can probably guess the rest of the story…



The old Buddhist priest returned to visit Ali Hafed’s successor, and seeing the stone on the mantle burst out loud from excitement “you found the diamond mine!” For a moment he believed that perhaps Ali had returned. Had he found the fields of diamonds that the priest had talked about? 



The new owner scoffed.  “That’s no diamond, it’s just a rock I found in a stream.” But the old Buddhist priest insisted “I know diamonds, and THAT is the rarest of all…the black diamond!”



They both ran outside digging in the white sand. To their surprise, these black diamonds, the rarest of diamonds, were everywhere!



IF the original owner Ali Hafed had stayed, he would now be the owner of the Golconda Diamond Mine. 



The moral of the story is simple: Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Sometimes, actually most times, your own success is not in some lofty business plan or big idea, but right here in your own back yard.



Russell Conwell returned to The United States immediately after he heard that fable…worked for his doctorate and founded Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Conwell realized that his fortune—his Acres of Diamonds—was right in his own backyard of The United States.



As you scramble to learn the keys to success during uncertain times, and from each author and success coach, remember to make a list of your strengths and weaknesses. Look into the very people you have known in business for years. Your success is right at your fingertips.



What could you create from what you already have? 




Thanks again,



Brad Szollose
Generational expert, award-winning author, business consultant and keynote speaker

Brad Szollose is a much sought-after generational expert, management consultant and keynote speaker who helps smart companies understand just how much technology has transformed corporate culture and behavior…and how that impacts management interaction, expectations and sales in The Digital Age.



But this is not based on management theory: With a 30 year career as an entrepreneur he knows firsthand what it’s like to grow a company from a simple idea in a coffee shop to an internationally recognized brand.


Brad is a former C-Level Internet Executive who went from entrepreneur to IPO in 3 yrs—co-founding K2 Design, the very first Dot Com Agency to go public on NASDAQ. His company experienced 425% hyper-growth for 5 straight years, expanded from 2 business partners to 4 with 60+ employees and offices worldwide. At its height, K2 was valuated at over $26 million. 

His results only management model (ROWE) was applied to the first wave of young Generation Y workers producing great results—winning K2 the Arthur Andersen NY Enterprise Award for Best Practices in Fostering Innovation.

Brad Szollose is also the *award-winning author of Liquid Leadership: From Woodstock to Wikipedia which explores the subject of new leadership styles – mainly how to get the tech-savvy Generation Y and analogue driven Baby Boomers working together. ISBN-13: 978-1608320554

Known for his humorous and thought-provoking presentations, Szollose received the highest testimonial of his career from a C-Level audience member: "I just had my mind blown." Brad’s keynotes and workshops are highly interactive, heart-warming, humorous, and filled with high-content information that challenge assumptions and help leaders and managers create a better work environment for innovation to thrive.


Liquid Leadership has been called "THE guidebook for the 21st Century" and has won the 2011 Axiom Business Book Award silver medal for leadership, The Indie Business Book runner up silver medal as well as becoming a #1 Best-Selling Business Book on Amazon for Organizational Learning. Published in the United States by Greenleaf Book Group, in India by Prolibris and in South Korea by UI Books/Iljinsa Publishing.

Mr. Szollose also writes a monthly column on business and marketing techniques that reach Generation Y for A Captured Mind newsletter and is part of The Mind Capture Group faculty.

Today, Brad helps businesses close the Digital Divide by understanding it as a Cultural Divide – created by the new tech-savvy worker...and customer. 



* 2011 Axiom Business Book silver medal winner in the leadership

* #1 Amazon Best-Selling Author

"I just had my mind blown..." - A.S., Vistage, New York

Liquid Leadership by Brad Szollose is available at all major bookstores and for Kindle, Nook, iPad and Sony ereaders. Internationally published in India and S. Korea.

When Our Heroes Become Friends

I am excited! Why you may ask? Well, last week I delivered a powerful speech entitled, “Overcoming Doubt” at the first annual Think & Grow Rich Summit in Del Mar, CA —based on the principles found in Napoleon Hill's book Outwitting The Devil.

For the first time in a professional setting I shared the many struggles I've had in life, and the "how to" principles I used to thrive against all odds. I was surprised to receive a standing ovation. But enough about me, I wanted to share with my readers some of the people I met and the lessons learned.

The Think and Grow Rich Summit was a phenomenal event and I was both thrilled and humbled to share the stage with such business giants and thought leaders as: Jeffrey Gitomer one of the top sales gurus in the country, John Assaraf from The Secret and a Law of Attraction expert, Berny Dorhmann of CEO Space, and of course, Sharon Lechter who coauthored Napoleon Hill's Outwitting The Devil — better known for her work from the Rich Dad, Poor Dad series with Robert Kiyosaki. All very famous and powerful thought leaders.

But there are 3 great speakers I shared the stage with that deserve special mention simply because of who they are: 

First, I have to give an introduction to one of the seminars most moving speakers. He's a Napoleon Hill Foundation Certified Instructor and Canada's Leading Think and Grow Rich Expert...

Tom Cunningham

Tom was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis at the age of 5 from his jaw to his toes. Imagine 44 years of excruciating pain, heavy daily doses of the oral steroid Prednisone, 4 hip replacement surgeries, 4 knees and 2 shoulders replaced — hospitalized more than 40 times since childhood. At 5’1” Tom has a quiet strength. And no matter how bad he may feel on a given day, when asked "How are you Tom?" his answer is always "Amazing!"

Tom in my book is not just a moving speaker with a powerful message, but someone who never quits, never surrenders and still tries each day to be positive. THAT is rare in this world.

Today I consider Tom a friend for life. 

He had me on his radio show Journey to Success, and we had a blast. Please tell Tom you know me and friend him immediately.

My second seminar buddy was a complete surprise.

Bob Burg —The Go Giver

Guest Speakers at The Think & Grow Rich Summit 2013:
Bob Burg, The Go-Giver and Brad Szollose, of Liquid Leadership get in their Pre-Fight Pose.

The first time I met Bob was in the lounge area at the Hilton by the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Sitting with Jim Palmer - The Newsletter Guru, and Michelle Prince - America's Productivity Coach, Bob started clowning around with us while in workout clothes looking for The Spa. He was warm, personable and fun. Although we had known each other for less that 20 minutes, I felt as if I was with an old friend.

But as I watched Bob tell his incredible stories on stage I really got to know the man and his life's work: He's a GIVER. Offstage, we wound up doing dueling impersonations of Jimmy Stewart, Bill Clinton and many others...but I got him with my Christopher Walken impersonation. Picture a 6 ft 4 inch Bob Burg doubled over with laughter...contagious laughter.

He was generous with his time and his presence. Fully engaged no matter who he was speaking with. Bob Burg is what I call an Enlightened Business Leader.

Bob has written many books (click here for the list) but his latest, The Go-Giver ROCKS!!! A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea. Here is a video sampler:

I suggest you get a copy today at his site The Go Giver: http://www.thegogiver.com/


And third on my list...

Jim Palmer — The Newsletter Guru

From day one of our three days in Del Mar, Ca, Jim invited me everywhere. Although I couldn't always make it, he was quick with a joke, a smile and a story.

Jim Palmer leading a table of entrepreneurs at the
Think & Grow Rich Summit 2013 in Del Mar, California.

You can always tell when someone is genuine, and I can tell why: Jim shared his journey to becoming The Newsletter Guru, but it was his story of getting over cancer that moved him to tears, and the audience as well. "I have no idea what's going on...I didn't plan to talk about this" as the tears choked up in his throat.

His books for his table arrived late, and he still remained positive. People asked him his advice, and he gave it...freely. During the entire three days, Jim jumped in and helped people with his time and experience. And he was brutally honest as well; he told a man on Day 3 of the Master Mind Workshop that his website would not make enough money for him and to take the job offer he had on the table.

That person wrote to me and expounded about how wonderful and honest Jim had been, and it was exactly what he needed to hear. The truth!

Being positive and upbeat doesn't mean you don't face reality, it just means you choose to see the world from a position that keeps ones emotional intelligence in check. 

Jim is The Newsletter Guru for a reason. I suggest you get on his mailing list and subscribe to one of his newsletters. I saw a sneak peek of his Iron Sharpens Iron newsletter and it's like no other newsletter I've seen. Powerful videos, audio interviews and jam-packed with business and personal wisdom.

I personally like his Newsletter Guru TV show. He takes you on a journey each week with solid business advice AND some funny comedic moments.

Go to Jim Palmer the Newsletter Guru as soon as you can.

I gladly call each of my new friends mentors, Master Mind Coaches and personal development professionals...and a wonderful addition to my life's work. But more importantly, if they ever call upon me for help, I'm there in a heartbeat.

Friends are like that.

Napoleon Hill once said that friendships that develop in business are the best friendships because they are built on like-mindedness.

A special shout out go to a few more friends I was able to meet at The Think & Grow Rich Summit: Michelle Prince, John Di Lemme,  and Danielle MOJOVATOR Hawthorne!!!

Thanks again for checking out my blog,


Brad Szollose
Generational expert, award-winning author, business consultant and keynote speaker

Brad Szollose is a much sought-after generational expert, management consultant and keynote speaker who helps smart companies understand just how much technology has transformed corporate culture and behavior…and how that impacts management interaction, expectations and sales in The Information Age.



But this is not based on management theory: With a 30 year career as an entrepreneur he knows firsthand what it’s like to grow a company from a simple idea in a coffee shop to an internationally recognized brand.


Brad is a former C-Level Internet Executive who went from entrepreneur to IPO in 3 yrs—co-founding K2 Design, the very first Dot Com Agency to go public on NASDAQ. His company experienced 425% hyper-growth for 5 straight years, expanded from 2 business partners to 4 with 60+ employees and offices worldwide. At its height, K2 was valuated at over $26 million. 

His results only management model (ROWE) was applied to the first wave of young Generation Y workers producing great results—winning K2 the Arthur Andersen NY Enterprise Award for Best Practices in Fostering Innovation.

Brad Szollose is also the *award-winning author of Liquid Leadership: From Woodstock to Wikipedia which explores the subject of new leadership styles – mainly how to get the tech-savvy Generation Y and analogue driven Baby Boomers working together. ISBN-13: 978-1608320554

Known for his humorous and thought-provoking presentations, Szollose received the highest testimonial of his career from a C-Level audience member: "I just had my mind blown." Brad’s keynotes and workshops are highly interactive, heart-warming, humorous, and filled with high-content information that challenge assumptions and help leaders and managers create a better work environment for innovation to thrive.


Liquid Leadership has been called "THE guidebook for the 21st Century" and has won the 2011 Axiom Business Book Award silver medal for leadership, The Indie Business Book runner up silver medal as well as becoming a #1 Best-Selling Business Book on Amazon for Organizational Learning. Published in the United States by Greenleaf Book Group, in India by Prolibris and in South Korea by UI Books/Iljinsa Publishing.

Mr. Szollose also writes a monthly column on business and marketing techniques that reach Generation Y for A Captured Mind newsletter and is part of The Mind Capture Group faculty.

Today, Brad helps businesses close the Digital Divide by understanding it as a Cultural Divide – created by the new tech-savvy worker...and customer. 



* 2011 Axiom Business Book silver medal winner in the leadership

* #1 Amazon Best-Selling Author

"I just had my mind blown..." - A.S., Vistage, New York

Liquid Leadership by Brad Szollose is available at all major bookstores and for Kindle, Nook, iPad and Sony ereaders. Internationally published in India and S. Korea.