Oh what great examples are presented to kids these days.
Some of the worst types of hypocrites are thriving.
The first are all the ‘leaders’ who turn out to be crooks—Dennis Kowalski, Jeffrey Skilling, Bernie Madoff and a host of other hedge fund managers—to name a very few.
Then there are those who don’t practice what they preach; worse, they preach from very high profiles and at very loud levels.
I hate using political examples, but they’re the most prevalent.
One such is former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who acknowledged having an extramarital affair even as he led the charge against President Clinton over the …read more

I received and email in response to last Tuesday’s post about the value of adding QF to your culture’s DNA that absolutely floored me.
“Jess” said that “the disruption caused by indulging in QF” was expensive and difficult considering today’s economy. He said that this wasn’t the time to look for innovation, but to focus on survival; and that even in good times innovation was expensive and not all companies could afford that level of brain power.
Granted, a lot of CEOs have a hunker down mentality right now, but even casual reading will show that the smartest companies, whether large or …read more

Although I read a lot of article and blogs, I’m very particular about what I pass on to you. I often link to a particular post, but have a much more limited list to share when people write and ask what to read daily when they have very limited time.
I find the topics relevant, but there are a multitude of similar topics every day, so what sets the ones I choose apart? Synergistic MAP and the writing.
I admit that I’m a writing snob. Quantity doesn’t equal quality; reading through dense prose bores me, so the ones I like are clearly …read more

Last month I wrote an article linking to a study at Harvard on the dangers of hiring based solely on experience.
On a different, and seemingly unconnected subject, everyone has read and heard the term ‘risk’ and ‘risk assessment’ in conjunction with our current economic hell (sorry, I’m tired of all the euphemisms) and most of us wonder what the drugs of choice were for those who were paid to assess said risk.
Now I’m wondering what the drugs of choice are at the New York Federal Reserve Bank, which apparently took titles and job description as proof of competency and …read more