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Q: You write of "No more place." Is telecommuting really going to catch on? Will it resemble what we have today or be radically different?
OH: First of all, more and more businesses are operated in peoples' homes. But our point was bigger: that nowadays, with advances in technology and the proliferation of outsourcing and alliances—work occurs anywhere. It doesn't just have to be in a cubicle or office in a corporate headquarters; it can be on a supplier site, a customer site, or a videoconference, or on a camping trip.
Q: You write that Edison "didn't set out to improve the candle", but he did set out to improve on it, didn't he? Is that the roadrunner break-through, don't improve a product (continuous improvement) improve on it?
OH: Well, Edison certainly wanted to improve our ability to have illumination, but our point was that he didn't start with the candle and do all sorts of re-engineering and TQM to make the candle better. His efforts began with a different premise, which led to a genuine discontinuous market breakthrough.
Q: Which of the New Rules of the Road is your favorite?
OH: Keeping in mind that no Rule is more important than the other, my own personal favorites are Everyone is a Full Player and Breakthrough is the Road to Prosperity. But again, that's my opinion; I'll bet my co-author and friend Chip Bell has his own.
Q: Hire and promote people with talent not skills, who are collaborators with a "can't wait to" enthusiasm, who are agile and think differently? Anything else to look for in the people we hire?
OH: Look for potential roadrunners; don't hire or promote a coyote-like individual, even if their resume is 10 pages long. Interestingly, there is a lot of consensus on this point, even if the language is different. For example, in my most recent book "The Leadership Secrets of Colin Powell", I quote Powell on this very topic. Here's what he said: "Look for intelligence and judgment and, most critically, a capacity to anticipate, to see around corners. Also look for loyalty, integrity, a high energy drive, a balanced ego and the drive to get things done." That sounds pretty Roadrunner-like to me.
Q: What did I fail to ask you that you wish I had?
OH: You did a great job! Two questions, perhaps. One, did Chip and I have roadrunner-like fun writing this book? You bet we did! Two, how can anyone reach us? You can reach me at www.harari.com and you can reach Chip at www.chipbell.com.
