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Executive Insight
Tip of the Week
Issue #64, June 1170, 2010
ISSN 1947-2889
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Hi !

Welcome to this week's issue of Executive Insight.

**A Familiar Pattern**

Are you ready for a quick quiz? Look at the following groups of
numbers and see if you can identify what they represent:

123456789
1234567890123456
12345678901

They look like just a bunch of numbers, right? Now look at the same
numbers again:

123-45-6789
1234 5678 9012 3456
1-234-567-8901

I'm sure you saw patterns this time. The first pattern is for a
U.S. social security number; the second is for a credit card
number; and the third is for a U.S. phone number.

We see patterns all of the time, and as such, when we see something
that looks familiar, our brain kicks into recall mode, and matches
what we see to the image of what we already know. 

We recognize patterns and make decisions based on our recollection
of what the patterns mean to us. The challenge is that sometimes
our recall doesn't match the current reality. 

Let's say you have a weekly meeting in the same conference room,
and you always receive a confirmation email ahead of time. One time
you arrive at the room and discover that another group is occupying
the space. At first you feel disoriented because you know that
you're in the right room. Then you think, "But I got my
confirmation," only to realize that the email clearly indicated
that the meeting would be in a different room.

Two pattern assumptions emerged from this example: the room and
the confirmation. The brain locks in these patterns.

If this happens in such a simple situation, imagine what happens
when you make assumptions about more complex patterns.

Observe how this affects you this week, and let me know what
emerges.

In the meantime, I wish a Happy Father's Day this Sunday to all of
our wonderful Dads!

Have a great week!

Lisa

© 2010 Lisa M. Aldisert

Lisa Aldisert is the president of Pharos Alliance, Inc., a
management consulting firm that works with organizations in the
areas of strategy, business development, and
organizational/leadership development. Give us a call at
212-332-3242 to see how we can help you create strategies that make
sense for your organization, and result in increased revenue and
profitability.  
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**Leadership and the Bottom Line**
"If you would convince a man that he does wrong, do right. But do
not care to convince him. Men will believe what they see. Let them
see." 
- Henry David Thoreau

**June 17th Trivia**
Today is "Dump the Pump" day, so named by the American Public
Transportation Authority to encourage motorists to leave their cars
at home and ride public transportation.

**On this day in history**
Amelia Earhart was the first woman to fly cross the Atlantic in
1928.


**Interested in growing your business?**
We can help! Please go to http://www.freegiftfrom.com/lisanyc

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