Business in Crazy Times - Let in the Sun

 " ... 54-year-old Rhodes Scholar [Bob Sternfels] had finished a nose ahead of McKinsey’s sunny digital practice chief Rodney Zemmel, who had taken the election all the way to a run-off." - Financial Times, February 5, 2024 

You read right. The lightness-of-being Zemmel almost did become the next leader of McKinsey. Admittedly, in addition to his "sunny" disposition, Zemmel's knowledge base and skills are in high demand. As you can see in this interview, he is a global leader in the applications and implications of generative AI.

However, the added value the Zemmel kinds of "sun stars" bring into an organization - especially those in upheaval such as McKinsey - is not expertise per se. It's optimism. 



In contrast are the high-gravitas leaders who have bonded with went very wrong in the past. That is, they are the reverse of the Tarot's Walking Away Card. The message of that card is the commitment to head toward - even given the uncertainties - current opportunities. The mountains symbolize the challenges of the unknowns. They have the self-confidence to stop now and then to reflect, to open to those all-important Ah-Ha moments. 

Among the sun stars of the past had been Lee Iacocca. Despite Chrysler's being on the brink of bankruptcy he went with investing major money in the revolutionary minivan. His optimism even shook loans from the federal government. Security analysts cut him slack. America wanted him to run for US President. And it took years for competitors to put out there what could take on the minivan. 

After parting ways with giant public relations firm Hill + Knowlton Bob Dilenschneider put together in New York City and Chicago The Dilenschneider Group. The guy believed his new kind of shop could deliver gee-whiz public affairs wins for the Fortune 100, politicos, trade associations and faded celebrities determined to have a comeback. He put his money where that claim was, renting half a floor in the MetLife Building and hiring the best in the business. A typical gamble - financial and reputational - was having the landmark 2005 Rhode Island lead paint trial covered by the newfangled technology of blogging.  

More recently in the mutating law-firm sector is the leader whose signature is charm and calm. That's Brad Karp, chair of Paul Weiss since 2008. He got the firm through The Great Recession, COVID, high interest rates, the post-pandemic falloff in demand (Paul Weiss was able to dodge that bullet) and intensifying competition. The raw optimism showcased itself in the reality that Karp didn't lay off when others were. Latham cut loose over 400 in one day. One current Karp strategy is betting the bucks on super talent. Today Paul, Weiss announced poaching from Dechert mass-tort wonderkind Kimberly Branscome.



Those who come for Tarot reading sessions usually start out "after the fall." The darkness of the troubled past hovers over them. But not for long. Through the mysticism of the medium they are able to connect with hope. Things begin going their way. Setbacks they are able to leverage as learning lessons. After he was "back," one client reflected on the ethos of a job he was going to leave. He summed it up as "They sigh." 

Tarot Card Reader. Intuitive Career Coach. Medium.

Don’t Give Up Before the Miracle.

Empathy and compassion.

No-pressure complimentary consultation about the answers you need. Then, fees custom-made for your budget.

For an appointment, please contact janegenova374@gmail.com or text 203-468-8579.


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