Alan Weiss's The Uncomfortable Truth®

Science fiction movies proliferated in the 1950s, all with dire threats for earth, and probably accidental or deliberate metaphors for the nuclear age ushered in during 1945. The aliens were tough, but we usually won, though not always (e.g., “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”). In 1938 Orson Welles, on his Mercury Theater radio show which was extremely popular in the New York area, broke in with a...

I met Dan Pink several years ago when we were both writing books in Nantucket. He is a diligent, “stone mason” (by his definition) kind of writer. He creates thorough documents, tight cases for his topics, and his attitude is that we wants to learn new things and not write about what he already knows. As a guest speaker for me in my Thought Leadership conference, I remarked that he had a law degre...

“I didn’t walk in here and I’m not leaving.” That’s an example of paradoxical and misleading language. That was uttered by a drunk colleague, but “triple speak” is often deliberately unleashed to confound and confuse. Politicians virtually never answer the question they’re asked. They divert it. “Are you in favor of reduced taxes?” is met with, “Let me tell you first about my ardent support for so...

Somewhere along my journey I met Alan Goldberger who, aside from having an excellent first name, has an extremely interesting career. First, he’s an attorney with whom I enjoy talking. Part of that miracle is that he’s a nice guy, and part is because his specialty is sports law. Yes, there are such people. Alan chats with me here about the challenges and troubles of amateur sports officials as wel...

I have traditionally closed over 80% of my proposals using my format of 2.5 pages based on conceptual agreement with the buyer. Many people in my community have rates of over 90%. I’ve extracted the key components here that are covered in greater depth in my books for a “quick study.” If you follow my guidelines I can guarantee your “hit rate” will increase, providing you’re realistic and serious....

I met Joe over a decade ago when he began a pharma consulting firm with offices in New York, Cambridge (UK), and Tokyo. We worked together immediately before and after 9/11, with six feet of ashes piled on balconies in the financial district where he was located. After selling the company, he moved back to Europe (he currently lives in London) and delved into his interests in environmentalism, pol...

We live in a competitive world, a Darwinian, capitalist world, but I contend that winning can be dysfunctional when pursued merely for the sake of the win. Sometimes the closest theater seats are far from the best; the newest technology rapidly purchased is full of glitches; the tough restaurant seats are obtained amidst a loud and overwhelming crowd. All of us learn best when we occasionally have...

Nancy emerged from academia with the intent of finding “game-changers” in her life so that she could become one herself for others. She has built a global network of CEOs, business owners, and executives who learn from each other, facilitated by chairpeople, both in person and remotely. Her company provides education and leadership insights to people who can, in turn, share them with others. She h...

Are we in merely another pothole of history or are we actually turning a corner into the unknown? Does western liberalism stand a chance of continuing, or have personal grievances and greed turned us away from a melting pot or a mosaic and into hundreds of millions of separate fortresses? We’ve moved from a post-World War II period of working hard and advancing, saving some money, buying a house,...

How many people do you know who coach entrepreneurs making seven- and eight-figures? Ali coaches scores of them and assists with the turbulent times that show no sign of ending. She points out that something can supplant the internet tomorrow. And she’s probably going to “close down” her Facebook presence. Learn about the biggest problem for women attempting to network with current business commun...

Mistakes are unavoidable, whether from habit, being ill-advised, or changes in our understanding. They are inevitable and can’t be completely avoided. But we can learn from them. Pluto is a planet. No, it isn’t. Red meat is bad for you. No, it isn’t. Smoking low tar cigarettes is not as bad a health risk. Yes, it is. “New Math” improves kids’ learning. No, not even close. We need to learn to apolo...

Learn about the customer journey. Appreciate the “language of the customer” What do luxury brands really try to create? Join the “optimistic treasure hunt.” Is service better or worse in the US than abroad? Predictions about customer service.

We explore the need to help those who need help, as opposed to those who simply make irresponsible decisions.

Nido has raised over $400 million this year for Highpoint University with no formal development effort. In 2022, in US News and World Report, Highpoint was named “best regional college in the South” for the tenth consecutive year, and most innovative college in the South for the eighth consecutive year. It was recognized for “best undergraduate teaching in the South,” best value, and in the top 50...

In this episode, Alan Weiss reveals The Uncomfortable Truth behind Greed. What is it and why do we have so much of it? Greed is a longing to have things for the sake of having them. Not because you really need them, but because you want to get ahead of others. Are we a people of high standards who occasionally lapse, or are we all sinners and shouldn’t be so surprised about selfishness? In the ani...

I don't mind waiting, I do mind being irritated.

"An examination of when pretending to help others hurts them and only helps yourself."

Turning down good business is like, well, it's not like anything at all intelligent.

Pull over, your fortay is showing and you were speeding through February

We’re not being told the truth and the people not telling us don’t care.

That’s a terribly cynical stance.

If today is so bright, why are people so dull?’’

How to run for governor with no one mentioning your past crimes.

HP: Heartily Pathetic: Whereby Hewlett-Packard loses its luster and its customer.

On why the center will hold and the blessings thereof.