CEO Library

In our last article, our discussion on the definition of money has led us to conclude that money equals value. And the more money you have, the more you can add value to your lives. Likewise for those of us who wants more money (to add value to our lives in your own terms) should understand that the more value you can add, the more money you will have.

This article will focus on how we can increase the amount of value we have to others. One of the ways, if you look at it from the professional angle, is to attend courses to upgrade ourselves so that we can increase our value and add more value to our employers. Some may prefer to read books to build up their knowledge bank so that they can add further value to the people you serve.

Perhaps it will be wise to look at how the highest (and usually higher if you compare to the median salary of the people who works in the same firm) add value by reading books. In a recent Singapore Sunday Times article (July 29), a survey of the CEO's library gave us an insight into their professional development. It mentioned that you will not find the latest management books but what you will find are classic books by great philosophers. This finding does not occasion any surprises. If we must understand that their ability to not just solve problems, but to anticipate them or better still create a new want that people come to expect as the norm rather than the exception, then it makes lots of sense.

Given the different contexts or the different circumstances surrounding the CEO, the ability to think equates to the ability to add value to shareholders, employees, customers, and the community at large. Their ability to think brings our discussion to the next level. Thinking not only enables you to solve existing problems, it also permits you to create a new level of playing field where competitiveness is not that key element, but creation is the one. By being able to create, we do not work within the current limits nor constraints. Instead, we find new ways of doing the same thing, or new ways to satisfy a need.

Next, we will talk about how to create. Until then, think; but think different.