Dare to be bad! The hosts discuss embracing mediocrity to fuel growth in more important areas. They dive into the courage needed to prioritize and say no while highlighting how strategic underperformance has led to innovation, citing Steve Jobs as an example. Financial awareness and the challenges of executing straightforward ideas are explored, alongside the balancing act of work and motherhood, emphasizing conscious trade-offs for a fulfilling life.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
MacBook Air Trade-offs
To achieve a lightweight design for the MacBook Air, Steve Jobs made trade-offs.
He removed the CD-ROM drive and used a good but not great battery.
insights INSIGHT
Strategic Underperformance
Strategy involves deciding what not to do and what to do poorly.
This is harder with services because people falsely believe they can excel at everything.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Southwest Airlines' Bag Policy
Southwest Airlines' Herb Kelleher refused to transfer bags, prioritizing profitability and speed.
He explained the strategic trade-off to a customer and the entire company.
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The Trusted Leader's Guide to Solving Hard Problems
Frances X. Frei
Anne Morriss
This book challenges the belief that speed and excellence are mutually exclusive. Frances Frei and Anne Morriss, based on their work with companies like Uber, Riot Games, and WeWork, outline five essential steps to solve hard problems quickly while strengthening organizations. These steps include identifying real problems, building and rebuilding trust, creating a thriving culture, communicating powerfully, and empowering teams. The book offers a one-week plan to implement these steps and improve organizational performance at an exhilarating speed.
The Torture Memos
Rationalizing the Unthinkable
Department of Justice
David Coles
This book compiles key documents released by the Justice Department in 2009, detailing the brutal interrogation techniques approved for use by the CIA. The memos, issued between 2002 and 2005, rationalize acts of torture and cruelty using twisted logic. The collection includes an introductory essay by David Cole, who argues that the nation’s top lawyers contorted the law to justify the CIA’s abusive conduct. The book highlights the legal underpinnings of the Bush administration’s interrogation policies and the need for official accountability.
Uncommon Service
Francis Fry
Ann Morris
This is an episode of Fixable, another podcast from the TED Audio Collective.
Sometimes the only way to win is by finding the courage to lose. This week on Fixable, Anne and Frances want you to “dare to be bad” in order to free up capacity to excel at more important things. They share insight on the power of strategic “no”s, the value of ruthless prioritization, and how Steve Jobs and Apple delivered breakthrough innovation by strategically underperforming. Frances explains why you can’t always trust your own instincts, and Anne reflects on the lessons she learned in her early days of parenting.
What problems are you dealing with at work? Text or call 234-FIXABLE or email fixable@ted.com to be featured on the show.
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