Big Think

Karim Homaifar commented on Silent Killers of High Performance on June 19, 2009, 9:21 PM

This man speaks common sense. Beer reminds us of principals we know and learned, but lost sight of somewhere along the way. Interesting note: these six "silent killers" can all be applied to how we conduct our personal and family lives too. Open widows and fresh air  promote health and growth. Stale, closed environments stunt initiative, creativity and self-esteem. That's what I think Mr. Beer is saying. Businesses need to  learn this. How would they apply to governmental operations? Thinking back on some of the huge failures in recent American presidential administrations- they were ignored- with tragic results:  a war with no end in sight and an economy in distress.

Karim Homaifar commented on Nancy Koehn on the Lessons of Lincoln on June 19, 2009, 8:54 PM

I have read in numerous books and articles that Lincoln suffered from very deep depressions. Maybe the time he spent in deep introspection and solitude helped him to realize the importance of the character traits that Ms. Koehn mentions: compassion and patience. We need to display these traits not only when relating to others, but also in our relationships with ourselves, especially during challenging periods in our lives. Detachment and forbearance probably allowed Lincoln to cope with the unbelievable strain of the Civil War. These can also help us to get through tough times. I look forward to reading Koehn's book. She seems to have found a timely topic, coupled with a fascinating person's wisdom on the subject, to write about.

Karim Homaifar commented on Dan Doctoroff Notes the New Economy’s Dynamism on June 11, 2009, 10:33 PM

Thank you Mr. Doctoroff. I truly feel better already. Honestly. Just the way you spoke about how these up and downs are a normal part of our economic cycle made me feel better. Many of us have lost our jobs. More of us will. People are on edge and nervous. Somebody as successful as Doctoroff offering reassurance and comfort about the current economic situation is very helpful to those of us who are very worried. I'm wondering about this though: Are there ways that we can soften the blows that businesses and people receive during future recessions? Isn't it it time for all of the sectors to get together to and try and hammer out some good ideas about how to prevent such devastating effects on all of us from occuring in the future? No one group, be it government, business or academia, has all the answers, but maybe a real effort by these groups working together might develop some positive, preventive and proactive measures. Not just an "Economy Czar", but a real coalition is needed.

Karim Homaifar commented on Dissecting the 'Embrace Change' Mantra on June 11, 2009, 10:00 PM

I couldn't agree with Staci Collier more. Technology is fantastic and has made tasks that used to take me hours now take me minutes. (Yes, I am pre cell phone and internet.) But, somewhere along the line we seem to have lost sight of things. Many times at staff meetings, my supervisor will stop to answer a text from some higher up, this is a waste of all our times, let alone a lack of common courtesy. Don't start me on how I feel when I am out with someone socially and their attention is really on the Blackberry and the human beings in their presence seem to be a distraction to them. All my complaining aside, Altavilla is right- change is good, or is it really adaptation? I think so. If you haven't changed and aren't adapting by using new technologies, you are going fall behind. But, it's important to remember this- technology was developed by people and people use technology, not the other way around. We can't lose sight of the fact that even a simple phone call once in a while maintains that human connection that we all need. Just hearing a voice, rather than reading an email, effects the way we feel about others and how we feel about our own work, usually in a positive way. (Thought- "Yes! I am dealing with another human who seeems smart and nice. I feel good about this project")

Karim Homaifar commented on Thomas Cooley: Will Big Government Change The Rules Of Commerce? on June 10, 2009, 10:17 PM

I think the last issue Cooley discussed, investment in early childhood education, was  certainly the one I can most relate to. I attended public schools in struggling urban neighborhoods. The books were old, the classes overcrowed, the buildings were in bad repair and the staff was struggling just to keep peace and order, let alone teach. This neglect has, and will continue to, produce students who are not prepared to lead healthy, independent lives. I've seen too many of my friends lost to the streets. What is happening in our public schools is a reflection of whats going on in our society: a disregard for the needs of  poor people. Cooley says invest in education. I agree. Better schools will produce healthier and smarter young adults ready to be part of the solution, not part of the problem.