C-Suite Network™

Categories
Books Growth Leadership

Confidence, Truth, and the Real Opposite of Love

When we talk about confidence in branding or in life, we often confuse it with bravado — loud declarations, polished messaging, or the illusion of certainty.

But confidence isn’t performance. Confidence is the byproduct of truth. And truth, at its core, is an act of self-love.

I dig into this in a chapter (in Selling the Truth) called, “A Lie is a Wish Your Heart Makes”:

“A lie is a wish your heart makes. It’s a wish that something were true, so you say it, but it isn’t. The lie may seem harmless or even helpful, but it grows.”

That’s the risk. A seemingly harmless lie to ourselves becomes the foundation for disconnection — from our voice, our values, and our audience. And without alignment, confidence crumbles.

When we’re grounded in what’s real, we stop performing. We start connecting.

That’s confidence. That’s brand. That’s love.

And I’m on a mission of Positronics.

In Isaac Asimov’s Robot series, positronic brains gave robots the ability to reason, evolve, and live by core ethical laws. These brains weren’t just about logic — they were about wiring in care, restraint, and purpose.

The secret to positronics, I contend, is self-love.Without it, our “logic” turns into defense mechanisms.

Because if we want a peaceful world, we have to stop abusing ourselves. “Hate” isn’t the opposite of love — that’s a myth. Hate is just fear externalized. Fear is a response to cruelty. Cruelty is a cycle of abuse. Abuse is rooted in fear. And on it goes.

So how do we break the cycle?

We stop lying to ourselves. We stop performing. We stop self-sabotaging in the name of success.

We sell the truth. To ourselves, first.

Then we go out and change the world with it.

YES! to purpose-driven bravery,

Hersh


👉 Selling the Truth: A ‘Semoir’ with Insights for Life & Business is available now at SellingTheTruthBook.com

To learn more about my work and this stuff, visit YESBRANDBuilders.com

Categories
Advice Books Branding

Your Personal Brand is Your IP.

Your Personal Brand is Your IP.

That’s the bottom line. And the only relevant question is, “What’s it worth to you?”

As a Service Provider, I’m supposed to solve a problem, right? People only care about solving their problem, so don’t bore them with what you do, or why, or how. JUST SOLVE THE PROBLEM!!!

For purposes of this article, the problem I solve is this:

You’re about to throw away the most valuable asset you have: yourself, and everything you stand for. And my job is to catch you in the act, talk you down, and show you how to wear your flowers like armor.

The International Trade Administration states that “Intellectual property (IP) refers to creations of the mind: inventions; literary and artistic works; and symbols, images, names and logos used in commerce.” They add that,

“Businesses are often unaware that their business assets include IP rights. Your intellectual property is a valuable intangible asset that should be protected to enhance your competitive advantage in the marketplace.”

I resonate with that piece, because most often your Personal Brand is a valuable intangible asset that enhances your competitive advantage. It’s not so much about putting a price tag on it. The value of your Personal Brand increases the more you develop it.

In fact, the stronger your Personal Brand, the easier it is to:

  • Increase Confidence
  • Gain Scalable Influence
  • Achieve Purpose-Driven Success
  • Build Your Legacy
  • Protect Your Reputation

and a whole host of other things, depending on your goals.

What it really boils down to is actualization of your potential.

Many of my clients seek to distinguish themselves from the “company brand.” The amazing thing, and the reason I do what I do, is that your Personal Brand is sooooo much bigger than the company brand. And that’s true regardless of how many billions of dollars in revenue a given company generates. As the CEO of a company, or the Founder of a business, the “company” is merely a piece of you, or an element in your ecosystem.

So, while it’s perfectly reasonable to lay out specific goals and project returns, the truest value of your Personal Brand depends on the commitment you make to nurturing it.

If you liked this article, subscribe to my Selling the Truth Today newsletter, and book your complimentary Personal Brand Audit now.

Categories
Books Branding Entrepreneurship

You Have an Embarrassment of Riches

Don’t Be Embarrassed… Define your Personal Brand.

You invested heavily in your education. You earned an advanced degree. In fact, you pursued another advanced degree mid-career.

You also have a number of certifications, which allow you to niche down within your chosen field.

It’s not like no one has noticed: you were featured in 30 under 30, 40 under 40, and the new 50 over 50 issue of that must-read mag making all that noise these days.

Not bad.

Add to that the fact that you are in something of a give-back phase. To the point that it truly serves your charitable endeavors to include Philanthropist among your key descriptors.

This makes your LinkedIn headline a bit chunky, but hey, what are vertical bars for, if not to enumerate the myriad superlatives that set you apart??

You could thin it out, but we all know that no one really reads the Experience section, other than to see if you’re still doing what you were doing last time they looked. And isn’t that what the headline is for?

To be safe, you choose between the ultra-detailed About (aka “The Long Story”) or the mysterious About (“Believer in what goes in

How about the moniker? It helps, right? Or does it?

Now hold on – this newsletter edition is NOT about LinkedIn best practices! Does my headline say “LinkedIn Expert”? No, it does not. And if it said, “MBA | MFA | Certified NSCA Coach | Wellness Enthusiast | Lightworker | LinkedIn Expert | Fractional CMO | “The Educated Fit & Fractional LinkedIn Guy” — what would you make of that?

Sometimes less is more. And sometimes, more is flat-out confusing!

The solution is not in making the hard choices about what to include.

And it’s not in streamlining your story to the point that you read it and no longer even see yourself in it.

The solution is in the BIG PICTURE.

Try this exercise: Think of the cumulative effect of all the things we discussed: education, personal passions, professional achievements, accolades, and honors. The knowledge you’ve gained and how you now wish to use it. Write down the words that come to mind. From those words you will start to frame your mission. And you will likely come away with something shorter and more original than what you had before.

There is always room for a story well told. And when you think in terms of meaning, it will come to you in fewer words.

I build brands that open doors – our clients achieve greater impact, influence, and growth through messaging, brand voice, and brand strategy. Book your Personal Brand Audit now to see what’s possible on the way to incomparable.

Categories
Biography and History Books Personal Development

An interview on The Motivation Show podcast with the author of “A Child in Berlin – Courage & Resilience during the Fall of Nazi Germany”

Over the span of four years, one afternoon at a time, professional biographer Rhonda Lauritzen sat across from Heidi Posnien, now an 88-year-old woman who spent her childhood in the heart of Berlin, just a stone’s throw from Hitler’s seat of power. Posnien shared strikingly clear memories of the fear and uncertainty that permeated Nazi-infested Berlin during World War II as well as memories of her mother, Käthe, a rising star in Germany’s opera scene. But perhaps the most remarkable part of Posnien’s story is her survival in a bombed-out apartment during the final weeks of the war when she was just 9 years old.

A Child in Berlin is the remarkable true story of Heidi Posnien, her mother and their courage in the face of Nazi terror as told to Lauritzen. Käthe is a mother who must choose between her conscience and her dreams of becoming an opera star. She discovers the truth about what is happening to her Jewish friends around the time she attends a dinner party presided by Adolf Hitler himself. She realizes she cannot remain among Nazi society and makes the gut-wrenching choice to leave the opera. To support herself and young Heidi, she joins Berlin’s black-market network and ends up dealing in more than just food. As others evacuate the capital, Käthe harbors a secret that anchors them in the epicenter of danger.

While Käthe becomes ever more preoccupied with survival, Heidi and a roving pack of friends make mischief in Berlin’s rubble. The war devolves, and she braves hunger, cold and feelings of abandonment as she shuttles between Berlin and the Polish countryside. Heidi’s ultimate test comes when she must survive alone in a bombed-out apartment during the final weeks of World War II. Her moxie shows how children are capable of far more than adults realize.

Heidi Posnien married an American soldier after the war. She now lives in Huntsville, Utah. Her story serves as a reminder of the resilience and strength of the human spirit, even in the darkest of times. Her firsthand account of life in Nazi-occupied Berlin offers a unique perspective on a pivotal moment in world history. As she nears her 90th birthday, Posnien continues to share her story in the hopes of educating future generations about the horrors of war and the importance of standing up against tyranny.

“I’ve been down in the deepest sorrows, but I’ve also been on the best of highs too,” Posnien said. “I’ve eaten this big, beautiful life; I never let it eat me.”

𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐓𝐮𝐛𝐞: https://youtu.be/oXzAuhCd08E?si=Myq_PjzoQ19slCT5
𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5dGSRSIqUDTpKbwil2bXza?si=a33c9c4bfd224b8e
𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐬: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-child-in-berlin-courage-resilience-during-the/id1530745286?i=1000681441884

Categories
Books Health and Wellness Personal Development

Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease

I believe this interview on 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰 podcast is one of the most important podcast episodes ever done in history! Big words for sure…now let me back them up. Here is a link to the episode on 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐓𝐮𝐛𝐞: https://youtu.be/52cHi5yHqeg?si=4GgZWCaiyHLrl9p8.

𝐃𝐫. 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐝𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐄𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐭𝐲𝐧 is a world renowned cardiologist who was a surgeon at the famed Cleveland Clinic, the top Heart Hospital in the world. He is the author of the best selling book 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 & 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 and was also prominently featured in the groundbreaking documentary 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐊𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬. His pioneering work with Coronary Artery Disease has saved countless lives.

We explore:

-Who has heart disease? What percentage of people?
-Why in his 9th decade of life does Dr. Esselstyn continue to talk about eradicating or slowing the progression of heart disease. What’s is the mission that’s still driving him.
-When he speaks of Preventing and Reversing Heart Disease is he primarily speaking about Coronary Artery Disease or all Heart Disease?
-The internet is filled with Drs & others promoting Keto and low Carb Diets and they swear by their research. How do we explain the claimed successes of those diets…or are they really successful?
-Why are ALL oils bad, especially for those with coronary artery disease? Are there any oils that are good for those that don’t have heart disease?
-Should everyone have a Calcium Score and when should they be alarmed?
-How important is it to lower LDL and raise HDL?
-What does he think of Statins?
-Why should there never be a reason to develop heart disease.
-At what point should someone have an angiogram and stents placed or bypass surgery?
-How does someone track their progress after a positive stress test and starting a Whole Food plant -based diet
-Why a Whole Food Plant Based Diet is Different than a Vegan diet
-Why do leafy greens eaten 6x a day help to mitigate or reverse further coronary artery disease?
-Which are the best greens to eat?
-Which are the next best foods after greens?
-How about Nightshades? Good or Bad?
-Can this diet prevent event the most serious heart blockages and circumvent even a quadruple bypass?
-How much fat is recommended for those with coronary artery disease and how much of that in saturated fat? Is all saturated fat equal?
-What three Whole Foods are bad for Coronary Artery Disease patients?
-How about sweeteners?

𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐬 link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/saving-a-billion-lives-with-cardiologist-dr/id1530745286?i=1000690856051
𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲 link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6jtTM8Ic88DUMaV7FvunbB?si=32525e9cb47a46d4

Categories
Books Sales Training Skills

An exclusive interview with BOB BURG, world renowned Sales & Entrepreneur Expert/Trainer/Keynote Speaker.

Bob Burg has been successfully showing entrepreneurs, leaders, & sales pros for over 30 yrs, how to build relationships, communicate their value, & accelerate their business growth as one of the top Sales and Entrepreneur trainers in the world.  Though for years he was best known for his sales classic, Endless Referrals, it’s his business parable he co-authored, The Go-Giver, that has created a worldwide movement.  While part of a four-book series, The Go-Giver itself has sold well over a million copies & been translated into 30 languages. It was rated #10 on Inc. Magazine’s list of The Most Motivational Books Ever Written, & was on HubSpot’s 20 Most Highly Rated Sales Books of All Time.

An advocate, supporter, & defender of the Free Enterprise system, Bob believes that the amount of money one makes is directly proportional to how many people they serve.

Listen to this exclusive interview on the C-Suite Network’s podcast THE MOTIVATION SHOW.   Link to listen:https://c-suitenetwork.com/radio/shows/the-motivation-show/

You will learn:

-Most people just laugh when they hear that the secret to success is giving…Then again, most people are nowhere near as successful as they wish they were.”

-Examples of what a salesperson or entrepreneur can give a prospective client

-Change focus from getting to giving…putting others interests first & adding value to their lives ultimately leads to unexpected returns. Give & You Shall Receive.”

-“Don’t give as a quid pro quo, not as a strategy to get ahead, but because it is, in & of itself, a satisfying & fulfilling way to be.”

-Five Laws of Stratospheric Success.

-How do you turn a Cold Call into a Warm Call?

-How can you have business organically flow to you instead of always trying to push, persuade, cajole, hype or any other artificial way of making a sale?

-How do you deal with the prospect you know is your perfect client, but just won’t give you the time of day.  They don’t return your email, phone calls or texts.

-One golden nugget of advice from a “drive-by mentor” totally shifted Bob’s perspective and played a big role in his success.

-One thing to absolutely AVOID doing when seeking out a mentor.

-What’s the best way to find a mentor?

-Why being a “Go-Giver” is absolutely congruent with — and even honors — human nature.

Categories
Books

[PRESS RELEASE] C-Suite Network™ Announces the Launch of “C-Suite Best Seller List™” – A New Benchmark for Non-Fiction Writers

[New York, NY, January 15, 2024] — The C-Suite Network™, the world’s most trusted network of C-Suite leaders, is announcing the launch of “C-Suite Best Seller List™,” an innovative platform designed to revolutionize the landscape of non-fiction writing. This groundbreaking initiative sets a new standard in business literature, providing unparalleled exposure and opportunities for authors to connect with an influential audience.

More than just a best-seller list, the C-Suite Best Seller List™ introduces a unique way for non-fiction writers and authors to extend their reach and gain targeted exposure to a highly influential group of C-Suite leaders. Authors whose books meet the criteria for inclusion in the C-Suite Best Seller List™, can tap into new audiences using the Network’s resources across social media, book signing opportunities, purchase options, and media interviews, reaching broader, more engaged audiences.

The notoriety of the C-Suite Best Seller List™ lies not only in the volume of readers it can reach, but also in the quality of its readership. With a reach of hundreds of thousands, the C-Suite Network™ is comprised of influential decision-makers, creating a domino effect leading to long-term success, strategic partnerships and pivotal business opportunities.

For authors that qualify, the benefits of being featured on the C-Suite Best Seller List™ are multifold. Beyond significant exposure and the potential for increased book sales, recognition on this list positions an author as a thought leader in their field. It opens doors to networking opportunities, speaking engagements, and collaborations with top-tier business professionals, while giving audiences the opportunity to purchase copies of the book through the site. Furthermore, the endorsement from a reputable and influential organization like C-Suite Network™ adds a layer of credibility and prestige to both the author and their work.

“At the C-Suite Network™ we take pride in being on the cutting edge of business. By providing our audience with access to some of the most influential business authors, we create a repository of knowledge that’s unparalleled,” said Chairman and Founder of the C-Suite Network™, Jeffrey Hayzlett. “As a best-selling author myself, the value we are able to provide creates multiple opportunities, not just for the authors, but our own community as well.”

The ambition driving the C-Suite Best Seller List™ is to become the leading non-fiction best-seller list globally – a goal that directly aligns with the network’s commitment to excellence and its focus on catering to a discerning, influential audience.

“With decades of experience in delivering on the credibility of top media assets, thought leadership and international award programs, there is no question that this platform will create and celebrate extraordinary success in the non-fiction space,” said Tricia Benn, CEO of the C-Suite Network™. “In the ever-changing business landscape, C-Suite Network™ is dedicated to using its credibility, influence and capabilities to elevate great businesses and their brands to deliver exceptional outcomes.”

This new initiative marks a significant milestone in business literature, promising to elevate authors and their works to unprecedented levels of recognition and influence.

For more information and updates on the C-Suite Best Seller List™, go to: www.c-suitenetwork.com or https://c-suitenetwork.com/c-suite-best-seller/.

Categories
Books Health and Wellness Personal Development

Interview with Neale Donald Walsch, author of global best selling phenomenom Conversations With God

𝐍𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐃𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐜𝐡 is the author of the international best seller 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐨𝐝, published in 1995, which became a global publishing phenomenon, staying on the New York Times Best Sellers List for 137 weeks. He is the author now of 𝐆𝐨𝐝𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤: Experiences of Humanity’s Connections with a Higher Power.

In this epic interview, Eli and Neale discuss:

-Why Neale feels Conversations With God resonated with so many people
-Did he always believe in God and why he is 100% convinced there is a God
-Can anyone talk with God
-How 2 way communication with this very real God can change your life
-How one can be sure the communication is not just one way
-What inspired him to write Godtalk and what makes it different from Conversations With God and his other books
-Why divine intervention has led you as a listener to choose to listen to this specific interview among the trillions of choices available to you. Why the necessary steps were divinely set up for you so you decide to listen right now when you need to most. Neale says “Don’t Look Now, but God is talking to you.”
-How God is engaging with everyone who actively seeks a conversation & how God is also communicating with us all the time even when we are not actively seeking conversation.

You can listen to the 𝐍𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐃𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐜𝐡 interview on 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰 podcast on C-Suite Network Radio: https://c-suitenetwork.com/radio/shows/the-motivation-show/ or any podcast listening platform To contact Eli, email 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐚𝟐𝐳@𝐠𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥.𝐜𝐨𝐦.

Categories
Books Health and Wellness Skills

Neuroplasticity Exercises for Team Building

What is Neuroplasticity Exercises for Team Building?

Neuroplasticity exercises for team building focus on activities that stimulate the brain’s ability to form and reorganize synaptic connections, especially in response to learning or experience. These exercises are designed to enhance cognitive flexibility, creativity, problem-solving skills, and adaptability among team members. The idea is to create a more dynamic, innovative, and collaborative team environment. Here are some examples of such exercises:

  1. Brainstorming Sessions: Encourage free-flowing, creative thinking without immediate judgment or criticism. This can help in generating new ideas and fosters an environment of open communication and innovation.
  2. Problem-Solving Challenges: Present the team with complex problems that require creative solutions. This encourages team members to think differently and work collaboratively.
  3. Role Swapping: Have team members switch roles or responsibilities for a short period. This exercise helps in developing empathy and understanding of different job roles, enhancing teamwork and communication.
  4. Learning New Skills: Encourage team members to learn something new, either related or unrelated to their work. This could be a new language, a coding language, a musical instrument, etc. Learning new skills stimulates the brain and fosters a culture of continuous personal and professional development.
  5. Memory Games: Engage in games that challenge and improve memory. This could be remembering details about each other or recalling complex sequences of information. Such games enhance cognitive function and team bonding.
  6. Mindfulness and Meditation: Practices like mindfulness and meditation can help in reducing stress, improving focus, and increasing cognitive flexibility. Team meditation sessions can also enhance group cohesion.
  7. Storytelling Exercises: Encourage team members to share stories, either personal or fictional. This helps in fostering creativity, empathy, and understanding within the team.
  8. Physical Activities: Engage in physical exercises or sports as a team. Physical activity is known to boost brain health, and doing it as a team can strengthen relationships and team spirit.
  9. Improvisation Workshops: Improv activities require quick thinking and adaptability, encouraging team members to be more spontaneous and innovative.
  10. Puzzles and Brain Teasers: Solving complex puzzles and brain teasers as a team can improve problem-solving skills and encourage collaborative thinking.
  11. Cross-Training: Allow team members to train in different aspects of the company’s operations. This not only increases the team’s overall skill set but also promotes a better understanding of different roles and functions within the organization.

These exercises can be tailored to suit the specific needs and characteristics of a team. The key is to engage in activities that are challenging, fun, and different from the team’s regular routines, thereby stimulating neuroplasticity and fostering a more dynamic and effective team environment.

Neuroplasticity Exercises

Neuroplasticity exercises are activities designed to stimulate the brain’s ability to change and adapt by forming new neural connections. These exercises can enhance cognitive abilities, improve memory, and help in recovering from brain injuries or overcoming learning difficulties. Here are some effective neuroplasticity exercises:

  1. Brain Teasers and Puzzles: Engaging in brain teasers, puzzles like Sudoku, crosswords, or jigsaw puzzles stimulates different parts of the brain, improving problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
  2. Learning New Skills: Taking up a new hobby or learning a new skill, such as playing a musical instrument, learning a new language, or even a new sport, can enhance brain function and encourage the growth of new neural pathways.
  3. Physical Exercise: Regular physical exercise, especially aerobic exercises like walking, running, swimming, or cycling, increases blood flow to the brain and can improve overall brain health and cognitive function.
  4. Mindfulness and Meditation: Practices like mindfulness and meditation have been shown to alter brain structures involved in attention, self-awareness, and compassion. They can also reduce stress, which is beneficial for brain health.
  5. Memory Training: Engaging in memory exercises, like trying to remember lists, practicing recall of past events, or using mnemonic devices, can enhance memory and cognitive abilities.
  6. Reading and Continuous Learning: Regular reading and keeping oneself engaged in continuous learning challenge the brain and keep it active, which is essential for maintaining cognitive health.
  7. Social Interaction: Engaging in meaningful social interactions stimulates regions of the brain involved in emotional regulation and complex thinking. Social activities also often involve memory and attentive listening, which are good for brain health.
  8. Healthy Diet: Consuming a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins can support brain health and promote neuroplasticity. Foods like fish, nuts, berries, and leafy greens are particularly beneficial.
  9. Sleep and Rest: Adequate sleep is crucial for brain health. Sleep helps consolidate memory and allows the brain to rest and repair itself, enhancing its plasticity.
  10. Art and Creativity: Activities like drawing, painting, or crafting engage different parts of the brain and can stimulate creativity and problem-solving skills.
  11. Changing Routines: Altering daily routines, such as using the non-dominant hand for regular tasks, exploring new routes to work, or rearranging the workspace, can challenge the brain and foster flexibility.
  12. Mental Visualization: The practice of visualizing actions, processes, or outcomes engages the brain in a similar way to actually performing the action and can be a powerful tool for enhancing motor skills and cognitive function.

Incorporating these exercises into daily life can help in maintaining and improving brain health and cognitive function over time. It’s important to choose activities that are both challenging and enjoyable to ensure consistent engagement.

Neuroplasticity Books

Our Network Member provides the needed training in several formats using the method that:

We exist because we have a fundamental belief in the power of humanity.

We exist to help human beings reach a potential they previously only dreamed of.

We exist to see our clients get results in real life, not in games on their phones.

We exist to help our clients see success in exactly the areas they want to succeed.

We exist to foster new ways to help the brain and body work as one, to help create a healthier, happier and more successful world.

We exist to brings teams of people together in instinctive harmony, rather than individual conflict.

We exist to bring enlightenment of the brain’s true capabilities, so that humanity can tap into its own innate strengths.

Most of all, we exist to be a force for good in a world where good isn’t always prized.

Neuroplasticity Therapy

Training for business, while it can involve some elements that stimulate neuroplasticity, is not the same as neuroplasticity therapy. Let’s differentiate between the two:

  1. Business Training: Business training typically focuses on developing specific skills relevant to business functions, such as leadership, management, communication, financial acumen, strategy, and technical skills relevant to a particular industry or role. The primary goal is to improve job performance, enhance productivity, and drive business success. While business training can challenge the brain and encourage learning and adaptability (which are related to neuroplasticity), its primary focus is not on altering brain function or structure.
  2. Neuroplasticity Therapy: Neuroplasticity therapy, on the other hand, is often used in a clinical or rehabilitative context. It aims to leverage the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. This type of therapy is used to recover lost functions (such as after a stroke or brain injury), manage neurological conditions, or overcome learning disabilities. It involves exercises and activities specifically designed to stimulate brain function and promote the formation of new neural pathways.

While there is some overlap – both business training and neuroplasticity therapy involve learning and adapting – their objectives and methodologies are distinct. Business training is about acquiring and refining skills and knowledge for professional development, whereas neuroplasticity therapy is a therapeutic approach aimed at healing or improving cognitive functions through targeted brain exercises.

However, it’s worth noting that engaging in continuous learning and challenging one’s cognitive abilities through business training can have positive effects on the brain, akin to the principles of neuroplasticity. Learning new skills, problem-solving, and adapting to new challenges can all contribute to maintaining a healthy, adaptable brain, but this is a byproduct of business training, not its primary goal.

Neuroplastician Leadership Coach

How to hire an expert Neuroplastician for your business or team!

Categories
Books Economics

Dr. Kara Tan Bhala Sheds Light on Ethical Finance in Exclusive Interview: From Seven Pillars Institute to Her Latest Book

Kara Tan Bhala is the President and Founder of Seven Pillars Institute for Global Finance and Ethics, USA, the world’s only independent think tank for research, education, and promotion of financial ethics. She was an Honorary Research Fellow at Queen Mary University of London, U.K., currently sits as a Jury Member for the Ethics and Trust in Finance Global Prize based in Switzerland, and is the U.S. Ambassador for the Transparency Task Force (U.K.). Dr. Tan Bhala has a rare combination of professional training and extensive experience in both global finance and moral philosophy. She has nearly 30 years of experience in global finance, much of which was gained through working on Wall Street. She has been a sell-side equity analyst, a sell-side equity salesperson, a buy-side equity analyst, a portfolio manager, and a lecturer in finance. For 18 years she ran her own international financial markets consulting firm. Dr. Tan Bhala has five degrees across three disciplines: a Bachelors (City, University of London, UK) and Masters (Oxford University, UK) in Business, a Masters in Liberal Studies (New York University, USA), and a Masters and PhD in Philosophy (University of Kansas, USA). She has lived and worked in London, Oxford, Singapore, Hong Kong, New York, Washington DC., and currently resides in Kansas City, MO. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, USA, and the Royal Society for Asian Affairs, UK. 

Could you please share the inspiration behind the Seven Pillars Institute for Global Finance and Ethics? What motivated you to establish an organization focused on the intersection of finance and ethics?

I worked on Wall Street in the 80s and 90s when ethics in finance was not derided, as it currently is, as an oxymoron. I completed my PhD in moral philosophy in 2009 right after the Great Financial Crisis. That event shook me.  Greed, regulatory capture, and moral indifference resulted in financial catastrophe. So, I decided to use my experience in finance and my background in philosophy to do something about putting ethics back into finance, both at a theoretical level and in practice. I’ve been quite fortunate in my life. I guess I wanted to pay it forward by setting up a non-profit think tank to help educate and promote financial ethics.

 

Ethics in finance is a topic of great significance, especially in today’s global financial landscape. How do you envision the Seven Pillars Institute contributing to the ongoing conversation about ethical practices in the financial industry?

 

Seven Pillars Institute (SPI) has been around for over thirteen years. During that time, we have researched and published on a range of financial ethics issues. We put our ideas out there to contribute to the conversations about ethics in finance and in economics. I’d like to think SPI has had some influence in a variety of finance related subjects. For instance, the stakeholder versus shareholder debate, on ESG (Ethics, Sustainability, and Governance) investing, a field currently in its epistemological infancy, on climate finance, and on cryptocurrencies. These are Big Topics, but we don’t shy away from giving our perspectives on such matters. Each piece we write considers the ethics elements in the case. In keeping with our mission of education, SPI has embarked on a Financial Ethics 101 series to give our readers a brief introduction to topics such as insider trading, and money laundering. The series aims to give readers a sense and an understanding of these concepts. 

 

Your extensive background includes work in academia, finance, and advocacy. How do these diverse experiences converge in your leadership of the Seven Pillars Institute, and how do they shape the institute’s approach to promoting ethical behavior in finance?

 

I try to marry the theoretical with the practical. While in the academy I saw a focus on theory and the drive to get papers published in prestigious journals read by a select few, but little attention paid to what was happening on the ground. In my work in finance, practitioners wanted to get deals done to achieve above benchmark profit performance. Theory came in useful only if it helped elevate profits. So, in my advocacy work, I provide practical guidance, underpinned by reasoned arguments, based largely on well worked theories. I encourage SPI researchers to write in an approachable way – comprehensible and yet comprehensive. We try to serve up useful research, including training videos, that educate as well as promote ethics in finance. 

 

Ethical considerations in finance often intersect with complex regulatory frameworks and competitive pressures. How do you believe your book’s insights can help professionals strike a balance between ethical conduct and the demands of the financial industry?

 

Well, the industry uses a well-worn phrase that, “doing good is good business.” In the main, I suppose that saying is true in the long run. But we understand there are times when doing good adversely hits the profit line. The good way may also be the harder road to travel. And, to use yet another exhausting cliché, “you can’t have your cake and eat it” – not all the time anyway. The main takeaway from my book is not to seek perfection in the practice of ethics. We are expected to try our best, but we are not expected to be right all the time. There may be good reasons to support an argument about the right action to take, but it may be difficult to persuade some people to agree with your conclusions. We are human, we aim for the good, but it’s okay if we don’t always succeed. 

 

In your new book, you present case studies from your own experiences on Wall Street. Could you share one example that stands out to you as particularly illustrative of the ethical challenges women might face in the finance industry, and how you navigated them?

In Chapter 5, I tell the story of how women were excluded from a room where only male executives mingled together during annual holiday parties. Using theory, I explain why gender discrimination is wrong according to every ethics framework we have, both secular and religious. From a practical standpoint, I give suggestions on what women can do when they encounter such gender-based exclusion. In general, I structure the cases in the book the same way: a story, the theory, and suggested actions.

For more information, visit  Seven Pillars Institute for Global Finance and Ethics