Wisdom in fragments

So many things in life divide us – the colour of our skin, the language we speak, the god we worship, but when we run, we're the same. When we run, we're united, it's a commonality across our species like nothing else.

Ultramarathon runner known for extreme endurance feats and adventures

When life gets easy, to feel alive, we need to do something hard.

Ultramarathon runner known for extreme endurance feats and adventures

I was comfortable, but miserable. I wanted to be out on my own, vulnerable, suffering, and in pain, but with the beauty of me versus the distance.

Ultramarathon runner known for extreme endurance feats and adventures

Remember, no one views themselves as unethical. This is why it's crucial to construct categories that people can identify with. If we, as organizations, continue to treat ethics and compliance training as a mere box to be checked off, individuals will never see themselves in these scenarios.

Forensic Accountant & Professor; Expert on Corporate Fraud and Whistleblowing

If you're loosening the controls you've established simply because this person's exceptional skills or accomplishments bring you pleasure, you're encountering your first significant red flag. It's a major one that shouldn't be ignored.

Forensic Accountant & Professor; Expert on Corporate Fraud and Whistleblowing

There are individuals within organizations who seem untouchable, be they extraordinarily successful salespeople or powerhouse CEOs. These individuals often appear to be above the rules, even above the law. They're given latitude due to the exceptional value they bring to the organization.

Forensic Accountant & Professor; Expert on Corporate Fraud and Whistleblowing

The accidental perpetrator is a team player. Their involvement in misconduct isn't driven by personal greed, but could result from simply following orders from higher-ups, a commitment to their team, or an unwavering loyalty to a CEO or CFO. However, such blind obedience could inadvertently lead to involvement in fraudulent activities.

Forensic Accountant & Professor; Expert on Corporate Fraud and Whistleblowing

The conversation I want us to have is, 'This could be any one of us.' Frequently, when we point out 'them', we're referring to the corporate, narcissistic, aggressive, high-achievers, often the deliberate culprits. Their stories pervade our movies and crime podcasts, enabling us to distance ourselves because we can't necessarily identify with their actions.

Forensic Accountant & Professor; Expert on Corporate Fraud and Whistleblowing

Even prior to the pandemic, we were witnessing double-digit increases in nearly every major category of mental disorder—be it anxiety, depression, PTSD, substance misuse, or suicide. These are considerable issues, and the pandemic, like a magnifying glass, has only intensified them.

Consider the adoption rates of various technologies: for telephone and electricity, it took approximately 15 years to jump from a 50% to 75% market share. With the advent of the internet and computers, that span dropped to 10 years. Television achieved this in only 5 years. But smartphones? They shattered all records with a mere 3-year period.

In my research spanning the last decade, it struck me that we might be conducting a massive, uncontrolled experiment on an entire generation of humans, without fully understanding the potential ramifications. We're all altering our behaviors due to the advent of mobile information, media, and communications technology.

The central premise of my book, the concept of the brain being 'rewired', essentially posits that any change in our behavior results in a change in our brain. This isn't mere conjecture; it's a neurobiological fact. Small behavioral changes trigger small changes in the brain, whereas significant behavioral shifts lead to substantial neural alterations.

This approach initiated a trend that endured over the years, leveraging the power of peer pressure. It transformed each young owner of UGG boots into an ambassador for our brand, proving to be an incredibly potent marketing strategy.

I realized then that I was inadvertently alienating our core audience — the surf community. Despite their understanding of the UGG brand, our advertising was sending the wrong message. This was when I truly grasped the essence of branding, advertising, and marketing.

The most challenging phase for any entrepreneur is when the business hits the $1-2 million mark. At this point, your business is too large to be small, yet too small to be big. You find yourself in need of a CFO or someone with a deep understanding of your business, but you can't afford either.

Starting a business is an exciting venture, often filled with enthusiasm, borrowed money, and a fair share of ignorance. In fact, a certain level of ignorance can be beneficial for an entrepreneur. If you were fully aware of the potential obstacles ahead, you might hesitate to start.