10/13/2004

Lessons in Failure

From Inc.com:

"In classic Greek tragedies, the hero often turns inward, choosing to believe in his eminence despite signs to the contrary. He assumes the decisions that brought him greatness remain valid, and he actively shuts out other people. Meanwhile, his world crumbles around him. It's an age-old lesson but one that modern executives and small-business owners should take to heart: Just because you've made it to the top doesn't guarantee your spot there. Make any one of these five classic mistakes, and your rapid decline will quickly outpace your upward struggle.

Harboring a false self-image...
Falling back on yesterday's answer...
Embracing the fallacy of first-mover advantage...
Closing down dissent...
Disrespecting competitors..."