Frameworks

When you first hear the term "going concern" in the business world, it usually means that there's nothing to worry about regarding a company's future. Ironically, the phrase often triggers the opposite reaction, making people uneasy about a company's stability. But what does "going concern" actually mean?

In Japanese culture, identity has historically been fluid and contextual. Japanese poets and artists traditionally adopted new names when marking significant life transitions or entering different phases of their creative careers. It is linked to a cultural appreciation for adaptability, acknowledging that individuals embody different roles and characteristics depending on the "rooms" they choose to occupy.

"Performance equals Ability multiplied by Authority multiplied by Motivation."

The simplicity struck me. This formula captured something profound about performance—that it isn't just skill, not just empowerment, nor purely motivation, but rather the synergy of all three. Miss any single element, and the whole equation collapses.

Earlier today, I endured a grueling earnings call with the board, leaving me frustrated and contemplative. Sensing my mood, my friend shares a story from his past, where he went through a similar experience, due to a decision that he made without requesting a formal approval from his superiors.