The world's best minds are corralled onto stages and into various types of sessions to share their findings, their visions, and their practical guidance for the world at large as well as for their own countries, governments, businesses, and communities. These decision makers are shaping the future with each word and deed. However, it's not just about talking - it's about doing.
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...in 2008-2009 when the financial crisis came I think it's better to go back to work because we can never win the world by talking...
Jack Ma, World Economic Forum 2015
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Sure - attendance at the event in Switzerland is by invitation only, but you don't need to be there physically in order to engage. You can put on your pajamas and listen in as I did for several of the live-streamed sessions or you can listen to the playbacks and read, read, read... I'm working my way through talks, panels, debates, and reports with the goal of using what I learn to grow and contribute in bigger, better ways.
It's Your World!
Many individuals may be waiting for leaders in their companies, colleges, governments, or communities returning from the WEF to distill the findings into strategies for them to execute.
Why wait? It's your world!
Empower yourself with first-hand knowledge of what's going on then develop your personal and professional strategies based on your new insights. Change is not new and will be forever present. However, the pace of change is astounding. Waiting for someone else to guide you may leave you at their whimsy - living their dreams instead of living your own.
11 Leadership Lessons from "Crazy Jack" Ma
One of the most impressive talks I replayed was Charlie Rose's interview with Alibaba's founder Jack Ma (An Insight, An Idea with Jack Ma). I'm now a huge fan. Hearing about his humble beginnings made me want to work even harder to make a difference. "Crazy Jack" has a lot to teach about following your own path no matter what others have to say about it - and you know what? He's right...
The historical and gargantuan nature of Alibaba's IPO continues to give everyone in business a lot to think about. His company has managed to shift business models for millions of small and medium companies around the globe in ways never seen before and has also created job opportunities for millions of individuals.
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...I thought when I was young I said everything is possible. Now I know not everything is possible...you have to think about the others...customers, society, employees, share holders, so many things...
If you continue to work hard there are possibilities
For the first five years I just wanted to survive. So many people's lives changed. For the first three years we made zero revenue. We were so excited to continue to work...
Jack Ma, World Economic Forum 2015
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What if Jack Ma hadn't followed his own vision? What if he had listened to the naysayers around him? What if he had quit because various supporters pulled back? What if Jack hadn't failed so many times throughout his life? What if?...
We can say "what if" about virtually all of the breakthrough moments that have occurred in human history. What if those crazy folks had been normal? I for one wouldn't want to live in that kind of world. Crazy is good! According to Jack, being crazy is not the same as being stupid.
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...One of the secrets of our success is that we have a lot of women...
If you want to win in the 21st century, make sure that other people are powerful and better than you are, you have to empower others
Women think about others more than they think about themselves...
Jack Ma, World Economic Forum 2015
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I've listened to Jack's interview several times, each time gathering more insight into his secret sauce. Some of Jack's key leadership philosophies include:
[1] If everybody believes that your idea is good, you have no chance
[2] Go global
[3] Calm down... There's always a way out
[4] Keep yourself balanced
[5] If you want to change the world, change yourself
[6] To win in the 21st century, empower others
[4] Keep yourself balanced
[5] If you want to change the world, change yourself
[6] To win in the 21st century, empower others
[7] Pay close attention to quality
[8] Grow your mind, value, and wisdom
[9] Spend more time with young people
[10] Never give up, believe in what you're doing
[11] Work hard, don't complain
There are so many more insights that could have been included on this list such as embody humility, study your world, and get used to failure. Despite over 30 lifetime failures including 10 rejections from Harvard, "Crazy Jack" is someone to know and learn from. After all his results speak volumes.
There are so many more insights that could have been included on this list such as embody humility, study your world, and get used to failure. Despite over 30 lifetime failures including 10 rejections from Harvard, "Crazy Jack" is someone to know and learn from. After all his results speak volumes.
What will you learn (or what have you learned) from Jack Ma's story? Leave your insights in the comments section.
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Check out these and some of my other LinkedIn feature articles:
- Mommy, Do Entrepreneurs Have To Go To Work?
- Success Leaves Clues
- Act Like A Lady, Think...
- Act Like A Lady? Who's Acting!
- and more...
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