Comments for The Quest Effect

Comment on Book Break by Randall

Randall — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 05:49:53 +0000

I’m pleased to write that the “Quest Effect” manuscript and graphics are complete and I’ll be sending the book to the publisher this week. Now, back to blogging.

Comment on The Art of the Breakthrough by Randall

Randall — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 01:17:14 +0000

Tim -

Thanks for the great NPR reference. Kind of Blue was truly a breakthrough jazz album and, in the interview, Miles described his musical career as a life-long quest. BTW, I played bass for over 30 years in a traditional jazz band led by a cornet-playing executive from Boeing. He saw strong parallels between leading the band and leading the design teams at Boeing. He even wrote an article on it some years ago.

Comment on Bold Leadership by Randall

Randall — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 01:09:56 +0000

Dean,
Thanks for your comments. I love the quote by Goethe
- Randall

Comment on The Art of the Breakthrough by Tim Frazier

Tim Frazier — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 19:11:08 +0000

Regarding “paint-by-numbers:” there was an NPR segment today on the 50th anniversary of Miles Davis’s masterpiece “Kind of Blue.” In the segment an interviewee (either Cannonball Adderly or a jazz music critic) said that Miles spent his time telling his sidemen “what not to do, rather than what to do. He was looking for them to get beyond the “paint-by-numbers” formulaic jazz that was so prevalent at the time – to come up with something wholly new.” (paraphrased) The result was a defining moment in jazz music – so much so that for many people “Kind of Blue” is the only jazz album they own if they own any at all. Kind of curious that I would read this post today…

Comment on Bold Leadership by Dean Hanniball

Dean Hanniball — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 04:50:30 +0000

Thanks Randy for your thoughts on bold leadership. I always learn something from your thinking. I particularly like your notion of bold leaders launching the quest and others finding their own boldness in the pursuit of that quest. I believe that you’ll like this quote…one of my favorites.

“Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius and power and magic in it.” – Goethe

And thanks for reminding me of the Shackelton newspaper ad!

Regard,
Dean

Comment on Welcome to the Quest Effect! by Judy Storfjell

Judy Storfjell — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 14:11:27 +0000

Randy–this is great! What a resource…I’m so pleased to see you have a book coming out. Congratulations! Judy

Comment on Welcome to the Quest Effect! by Randall

Randall — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 04:59:41 +0000

Dean,

Thanks for your comment! “Bold leadership” is a great phrase and an important idea. I’m going to address your question in a new post in the next few days. Stay tuned.

Randall

Comment on Welcome to the Quest Effect! by Dean Hanniball

Dean Hanniball — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 01:06:24 +0000

Randy, I love that you are now launched on another “Quest”, this one being of your own making. Since so much of any Quest is about getting started I’d be curious about your thoughts on bold leadership.

Regards,

Dean

Comment on Welcome to the Quest Effect! by Tom Cashman

Tom Cashman — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 05:03:46 +0000

Nice work, Randy. I trust your blog will be an effective and cost-effective tool for this episode of global financial anxiety. Put me on the subscribed list. Even though we aren’t working together these days, I’d like to stay somewhat current with what you are doing.

best,

Tom

Comment on GM Pays the Price for Seeking Safety by Randall Benson

Randall Benson — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 00:24:06 +0000

Bernard,

Thanks for your reply and for your kind remarks. I agree with you that leaders sometimes lack the confidence to venture very far into uncharted territory, even though that’s where the quest unfolds. In addition, I’ve observed that leaders are often unaware that a quest (or adventure or journey) is even necessary or appropriate for their organization. I worked with executives in two different companies recently who, once they were aware of the nature of the quest, essentially said “What are we waiting for?”. I think this is evidence that the quest has been overlooked as a leadership imperative.