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I have been reading a book called Factfulness, with a subtitle that says Ten Reasons We’re Wrong About the World – and Why Things Are Better Than You Think’. Bill Gates supposedly called it one of the most important books he has ever read. The book begins by asking the reader to answer a few questions such as “In the last twenty years, the majority of the world population living in extreme poverty has: A) Almost doubled B) Remained the same C) Almost Halved.” By the way, only 5% got this right. The correct answer is C. The number of people worldwide who live in extreme poverty has been halved in the last twenty years – yet most people think the opposite. The book is loaded with interesting facts, but even more importantly, it explains why people tend to focus on the negative rather than the truth. Factfulness is an easy read, and in this age where every headline is designed to shock and scare you, it’s a refreshing look at the world as it really is.
The most valuable skill in today's economy is storytelling. O'Leary wasn't the first to say that. Ten years ago, I remember asking Bill Clinton what made him a great speaker, and he said he was a good speaker because he is a good storyteller. As our economy evolves, the ability to communicate will become even more valuable.
Most of us have heard that it's not about what happens to you or around you; it's how you react to it. That discipline may be the single most important quality a person can possess when it comes to success. Talent is overrated, and luck is out of our control. Grit, on the other hand, is a superpower.
I believe deeply in taking the high road; it is rarely good to lose your cool, especially in business. It’s part of what we call emotional intelligence…However, it’s not always best to walk away from a fight. There are some things worth fighting for, and for the right reasons…Historically, NAHREP has been friendly with consumer groups. We have not always agreed on everything, but I respect them and have worked hard to have a good relationship with them. But…