The 'Problem' With Science

The 'Problem' With Science

Omer Abdullah
Communications, Life, Leadership, Personal Codes, Teams, Strategy

We tend to have this view that science is a ‘fixed’ subject, in the sense that we think of it as defined and permanent in nature. That once scientists have done their thing, that once the facts surrounding a specific topic have been gathered and a perspective has been reached, then that’s it. We’re done.

Of course, that’s not actually the case. Science evolves, it changes and is subject to refinement. That’s actually the value of the scientific process - that as more data is captured, as we see the interplay of different variables over time, we learn more.

Omerisms Podcast - Episode 37

Omerisms Podcast - Episode 37

Omer Abdullah
Leadership, Life, Personal Codes

In today’s podcast, I’m taking a break from this month’s theme, which focuses on the mental mindsets that impact how we work.

With all that’s going on and what’s been on all of our minds, it didn’t sit right with me. So, what I thought I’d do instead is share, in audio form, the blog post I put out earlier this week on this site, in which I dissected my own thought process on this important issue. I am also including some additional thoughts here in this podcast that I didn’t on my original blog post, so even if you read that post, I hope you’ll give this a listen.

"When You Know Better, Do Better..."

"When You Know Better, Do Better..."

Omer Abdullah
Leadership, Life, Personal Codes

If you’ve been reading this blog for any period of time, you’ll have noticed that I usually comment or reflect on the most major events of the day in some sort of way, either explicitly or implicitly. But I haven’t really talked about the protests that have been taking place across the country (and indeed the world) over the last couple of weeks.

I’ve wanted to, but, the truth is, I’ve struggled with how to best comment and provide my perspective within the construct of this platform.

The Thing About All This Technology

The Thing About All This Technology

Omer Abdullah
Aspirations, Careers, Communications, Creativity, Entrepreneurship, Life, Personal Codes, Strategy

I’ve talked before about how technology has democratized access to the tools that help us create. This is as true in fields traditionally considered to be creative as it is in those that are more commercial. We have options in terms of how we do our work, how sophisticated we want its production to be, and where and when we distribute it.

Omerisms Podcast - Episode 36

Omerisms Podcast - Episode 36

Omer Abdullah
Aspirations, Careers, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Life, Personal Codes

This month's podcasts focuses on the mental aspect of how we work - on the why we get started, how we get caught in ourselves and the mental mindset needed to succeed.

In this episode, I discuss the delusion that is inspiration, this idea that if we just wait for it, it will eventually come and deliver us to where we want to go. That's simply not true and I discuss what we should, instead, focus on.

War Stories - Our Filters, Judgements and Expectations

War Stories - Our Filters, Judgements and Expectations

Omer Abdullah
Careers, Communications, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Management Consulting, Life, Personal Codes, Teams

Early in my career, I was staffed on a project with a senior consultant who had developed a stellar reputation as a “real people person”. Someone who was focused entirely on the individual and their needs and, as someone who could blend that perfect balance between what was needed for the client, the project, the firm and the individual.

I had never met this consultant, but given the ‘word on the street’, I was looking forward to it.

The Thing About Deals

The Thing About Deals

Omer Abdullah
Careers, Entrepreneurship, Investment Banking, Leadership, Life, Private Equity, Sales, Strategy

The more complex the transaction, the more difficult it is for everyone to emerge with everything on their wish list. That’s just the nature of the beast.

Political negotiations illustrate this perfectly and very publicly. You have dueling parties, fueled by competing ideologies, each proposing what they believe to be in the best interests of their constituents. (Yes, I know that politicians are driven more by what they think their voters will want to hear versus what they need to hear, but humor me for a bit.)

Omerisms Podcast - Episode 35

Omerisms Podcast - Episode 35

Omer Abdullah
Aspirations, Careers, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Life, Personal Codes, Sales, Strategy, Teams

This month's podcasts draw lessons from the world around us, specifically the sports and entertainment arenas. I focus on specific games or movies or entertainers and the lessons we can draw from what they've done or experienced or said.

Today's podcast discusses that day in 1965 when Bob Dylan went electric and changed the course of his career. But he also gave us a lesson in how we need to do what we believe in and be who we want to be, regardless of what anyone else thinks or says.

Breaking New Ground, Taking Risks

Breaking New Ground, Taking Risks

Omer Abdullah
Aspirations, Careers, Creativity, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Life, Marketing, Personal Codes, Strategy

In 1969, Led Zeppelin released their sophomore album titled Led Zeppelin 2, which is widely regarded as one of the greatest rock albums of all time. A year later, they followed up that album with Led Zeppelin 3, which diverged from the path that their first two albums took. Where as the first two albums were driving rock albums, this one, while it didn’t lack for driving rock songs, dove pretty heavily into the acoustic realm. The album was panned at first but is now regarded among their best.

Omerisms Podcast - Episode 34

Omerisms Podcast - Episode 34

Omer Abdullah
Aspirations, Careers, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Life, Personal Codes, Sales, Strategy, Teams, Marketing

This month's podcasts draw lessons from the world around us, specifically the sports and entertainment arenas. I focus on specific games or movies or entertainers and the lessons we can draw from what they've done or experienced or said.

In today's podcast, I dive into a quote from the movie, Ghost In The Shell, which speaks to the importance of letting go of the past - whether we feel as if we've failed in our past endeavors but even if we've succeeded…

The Point Of (And Problem With) Accelerants

The Point Of (And Problem With) Accelerants

Omer Abdullah
Aspirations, Careers, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Life, Management Consulting, Retail, Strategy

There's a trend line that we all live through in any endeavor we’re a part of. That trend line can be positive or negative but it’s a constant - there’s no question that there is no such thing as a ‘permanent’ status quo, that things will inevitably progress in some direction to a redefined (temporary) equilibrium.

Most of the time that trend line is drawn out over some material period of time. If we are on the ascent, that ascent can continue for years, driven by a mix of factors both internally driven and externally influenced.

Are You The Voice Or The Echo?

Are You The Voice Or The Echo?

Omer Abdullah
Aspirations, Careers, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Life, Management Consulting, Marketing, Personal Codes, Strategy

We tend to give more thought to the competition than we really should - and I say that with the full (and practical) understanding that our competitors can influence a lot of what goes on in the markets we play in and the customers we serve.

We worry about their pricing and their product features. We worry about their sales activities and their breadth of client access. We worry about their last move, and their next move.

Omerisms Podcast - Episode 33

Omerisms Podcast - Episode 33

Omer Abdullah
Aspirations, Careers, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Life, Personal Codes, Sales, Strategy

This month's podcast draw lessons from the world around us, specifically the sports and entertainment arenas. I focus on specific games or movies or entertainers and the lessons we can draw from what they've done or experienced or said.

In today's podcast, I recount a story from the movie, The Matrix and how it speaks to our need to be ourselves, to not get taken in by someone else's agenda, to create our own reality. It's just a movie, but the messages in it are very much a reflection of ourselves and our reality.

The New Normal Was Always Going To Be Here

The New Normal Was Always Going To Be Here

Omer Abdullah
Aspirations, Careers, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Life, Personal Codes, Management Consulting, Marketing, Strategy, Sales

It’s the one question that everyone wants answered.

When are we getting back to normal? When will Business As Usual return? Or, if you're really trying to be thoughtful: When do we get to the New Normal?

Aside from the fact that no one has the answers to those questions, there are two realities that are more relevant, at least to me:

Why Is There More Art During Quarantine?

Why Is There More Art During Quarantine?

Omer Abdullah
Creativity, Life, Personal Codes

One of the interesting byproducts of our COVID quarantine has been the amount of art that’s been created during this lockdown. And by art, I don’t just mean painting or music, what we consider to be art in the strict sense (although I do include both of those forms in my definition).

Rather, I’m referring to all forms of expression, any act of creativity, including the culinary arts.

Omerisms Podcast - Episode 32

Omerisms Podcast - Episode 32

Omer Abdullah
Aspirations, Careers, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Life, Personal Codes, Sales, Strategy, Teams

This month's podcast draw lessons from the world around us, specifically the sports and entertainment arenas. I focus on specific games or movies or entertainers and the lessons we can draw from what they've done or experienced or said.

In today's podcast, I go back to Super Bowl 51 and the amazing comeback that the New England Patriots made in that game, and what it can teach us all about perseverance and achievement in the face of the worst possible odds.

You Are Not The Hero

You Are Not The Hero

Omer Abdullah
Aspirations, Careers, Communications, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Life, Management Consulting, Marketing, Personal Codes, Sales, Teams

You are not the hero.

That’s right, you’re not. And the sooner you get used to that idea, the better.

You’re not the one who’s going to move the customer’s business across the line. You’re not the one who’s going to help them gain extra market share. And you’re certainly not the one who’s going to achieve their vision for them.

Growth Versus Comfort In A Time Of COVID

Growth Versus Comfort In A Time Of COVID

Omer Abdullah
Aspirations, Careers, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Life, Personal Codes, Sales, Strategy, Teams

There’s a quote I close all of my personal podcasts with that’s always appealed to me. I wrote about it in one of my earliest blog posts and it’s guided almost all of my decisions in life:

“You’re better off scared than bored.”

It isn’t my quote - I first heard it from Harvey Mackay in his book, Beware The Naked Man Who Offers You His Shirt. (And, for the record, the exact quote is, “You’re a lot better off being scared than bored”.)

Omerisms Podcast - Episode 31

Omerisms Podcast - Episode 31

Omer Abdullah
Careers, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Life, Management Consulting, Marketing, Personal Codes, Sales, Strategy, Teams

Today’s podcast is about what we do when we’re trying to get ourselves back on our feet, when we’re going through hard times and we need to re-center - as an individual or as a business.

It’s about the value of First Principles and the kinds of things we need to consider, understand and adopt when we're navigating a crisis.

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