Author and blogger Seth Godin got 70 big thinkers to share an idea to consider in the year ahead. Each contributor chose a word and then described why it is important. Godin compiled them in a free e-book called What Matters Now, available here.

My favorite Baldrige-related words, with excerpts from their explanations, are:

• Vision. “Vision is the lifeblood of any organization. It is what keeps it moving forward.” Michael Hyatt, CEO, Thomas Nelson Publishers

• Excellence. Tom Peters lists the 19 E’s of Excellence including execution, empowerment, engaged, and encompassing.

• Unsustainability. “We really need to focus on raising the costs of the unsustainable systems that represent the unsustainable status quo” like failed educational systems, obesity-producing systems, energy systems, transportation systems, and health care systems. Alan M. Webber, co-founding editor of Fast Company magazine

• Autonomy. “If we want engagement, and the mediocrity-busting results it produces, we have to make sure people have autonomy over the four most important aspects of their work” – task, time, technique, and team. Daniel H. Pink, author of A Whole New Mind.

• Power. “Stop waiting around for bosses and companies to get better and complaining about how you are treated,” wrote Jeffrey Pfeffer, professor at Stanford Business School. “Build the skills—and use them—that will permit you to create the environment in which you want to live.”

• Productivity. “Don’t worry too much about getting things done. Make things happen.” Gina Trapani blogs at Smarterware

And the word that captures our purpose at Baldrige.com:

• Context. “Information in context makes smart systems smarter.” Jeff Jonas, IBM Distinguished Engineer, Chief Scientist, IBM Entity Analytics

Which words resonate with you?

(2 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5)

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