Coaching Tip

MARCH 25, 2011

Canadian Malcolm Gladwell in his book, " Outliers ," tells us that the way Canadians select hockey players is a beautiful example of what the sociologist Robert Merton famously called a "self-fulling prophecy" a situation where a "false definition, in the beginning.evokes a new behavior which makes the original false conception come true.".

Merton 97

Merton Maturity Definition Class 97

Harvard Business Review

MARCH 10, 2014

The yacht was perfect, of course, and most of the bridesmaids were there as planned. But of course! And then, of course, the usual self-assured act later on, as if to say, “All part of the plan.”. But when such views trigger the self-fulfilling prophecy, these illusions have the potential to increase chances of success.

Merton 9

Merton Taylorism Taylor Bond 9

Harvard Business Review

OCTOBER 17, 2012

Of course, HBS hopes to educate leaders who make a positive difference in the world, but that's harder to do than it might seem. If you're Apple trying to replace Steve Jobs, for example, you know you're already one of the most successful companies in the world. Gerstner, of course, led IBM to a historic turnaround.

Company 14

Company Champy Merton Leadership 14

Harvard Business Review

SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

Although many business executives sat through one, or perhaps several, courses in economics while in school, most probably took away little more than the supply and demand graphs to which they were introduced early in their first course. Many economists since have been hired by the U.S.

Strategy 12

Strategy Black-Scholes Airlines Price 12

Harvard Business Review

FEBRUARY 3, 2011

I was thinking about that story by Thomas Merton during a recent board meeting. Recent market updates, a technical deconstruction of various trends, then product frameworks — all in quick succession. Of course, underlying all that.does anything need to be said at all? One board member sighed deeply.

Merton 15

Merton Groupthink CFO Cost 15