Peter Koehler
5 Lessons From The Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are one game away from setting the all time record for most wins in a season.
As I've been watching this historic achievement unfold, I've found myself asking - what lessons can the rest of us learn from the Warriors?
Here's my best take at boiling down Golden State's success into 5 key lessons that the . . .
April 12, 2016
Default Yes
Recently an opportunity came across my desk.
I asked the other person what their deadline was for the next step. Wednesday after next.
Two days before the deadline, I still hadn't done the work to figure out whether it was a worthwhile opportunity.
Oh well, I'll just tell them that we're busy right now, and it's not a good time. Thanks . . .
April 05, 2016
Ask. Be Specific. Be Quiet.
I was listening to Ezra Klein interview lobbyist Tony Podesta.
Ezra asked Tony to share advice with people who wanted to lobby their congressperson or advocate for their cause. Tony's advice:
"Don't forget to make sure they know what you want. You've got to make an ask."
This sounds so obvious, yet so often we forget to . . .
Posted in: storytellingbossbusinesscareernegotiation
February 22, 2016
Deep Work Wednesday
creating space for focus and flow
In my previous post I wrote about the challenges of the modern workplace.
Such challenges are especially relatable for knowledge workers, but from people I've spoken to across industries and trades, it seems that many of us can relate to some extent.
Inspired by Cal Newport's latest book Deep Work (which admittedly I haven't . . .
February 13, 2016
It's Time To Fight Back
Against the Modern Workplace
The modern workplace can be an existential minefield.
Urgent trumps important.
Productivity trumps true value.
Multi-tasking trumps single-minded focus.
Interruption trumps silence.
Notifications trump airplane mode.
Meetings trump flow.
Their agenda trumps your agenda.
Before you know it, your days are sliced up into a million pieces.
It . . .
February 12, 2016
11 notes on raising money for your startup
Earlier this week I was on a panel for the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network about preparing for investment. I sat on the panel with Brad Zenger who happens to chair our Board,and Terry St. Marie, who is one of our investors (indirectly through the Oregon Angel Fund).
We had lunch and a conversation with 15 early stage entrepreneurs, almost all . . .
December 19, 2015
Exercise your thinking muscles daily
Strategic thinking is a muscle. Creative thinking is a muscle. Critical thinking is a muscle.
Without consistent use, those muscles begin to atrophy.
Exercise your strategic thinking muscle today by playing devil's advocate with your colleague or boss to ideas which may seem obvious or "correct" on the surface.
Note: If someone . . .
May 06, 2015
