The Myth of Size Equals Strength Many leaders assume that bigger companies have an inherent advantage: more resources, larger teams, bigger budgets. But history proves otherwise: size alone doesn’t guarantee market leadership. Distinction does.In fact, large organizations often collapse under their own weight, while smaller, distinct competitors leap ahead.As Theodore Levitt taught us: “There is no […]
Why Mediocrity Is So Dangerous When companies think about competition, they usually look outward: rivals, new entrants, disruptive startups. But often, the greatest competitor isn’t another company—it’s mediocrity inside their own walls.As Jim Collins warned in Good to Great: “Good is the enemy of great.” Mediocrity is subtle. It looks like stable performance, steady revenue, and “good […]
Revisiting the Continuum As we explored earlier, every business lives somewhere on a continuum from extinction to distinction. On one end are organizations that fail to adapt and disappear. On the other are those that uncover unique value, innovate boldly, and rise above competition.In Part 1, we defined the continuum and why distinction matters. In […]
The Committee Problem Every business has them: committees formed to tackle big challenges or make key decisions. In theory, committees should bring diverse perspectives, align stakeholders, and speed up progress.In practice? Committees often do the opposite. Instead of moving quickly, they bog down in endless meetings, watered-down decisions, and compromise that leaves no one satisfied.This dysfunction—what […]
Why the Questions We Ask Matter Businesses often stall not because they lack answers, but because they’re asking the wrong questions. Leaders focus on “What’s the fastest fix?” or “Who’s to blame?” when they should be asking questions that open up possibilities. That’s the power of “How might we”—a simple, three-word question that reframes problems, […]
