The efficiency paradox

During my days at McKinsey, I once asked a retired senior partner about life before PowerPoint. How did they make presentations to clients? He said that they used to create presentations on big chart papers using felt-tip pens. They would have to write in big font,...

Freedom over fortune

You should envy Warren Buffett and the late Charlie Munger — I certainly do. But not because of their billions. But because of how happy and joyful they are. In their 90s, they have the infectious enthusiasm and curiosity of a 25-year-old. They have a point of...

Embrace constraints

A McKinsey partner once told me about his niece who got a job offer as a management trainee from a world-leading healthcare company. This company had (and still has) a spectacular global brand, and is a market leader in many categories. And therefore, he advised his...

The right kind of smartness in business

At the Berkshire Hathway annual meeting, (the late) Charlie Munger said, “We are not that smart but we kind of know the edge of our smartness. But a lot of people who are geniuses, think they are a lot smarter than they are. What they are, is dangerous.”...

Why multitasking destroys focus

Years ago, I had a young colleague who would steal a glance under the table at his WhatsApp every minute or two. Today, that behavior has gone mainstream — many of us work with constantly buzzing notifications from apps like Slack and Microsoft Teams. In this...