Vantage Point with Eli Amdur

Vantage Point - the podcast for critical thinkers. What critical thinking really is, where it went, and the 10 forms every thinker should know. In this episodeA definition and a hard look at the episode's theme, plus 3 of Eli's aphorisms, Einstein and Bohr from great minds, a "What If?" to ponder. Eli’s Aphorisms“Generally speaking, you aren't learning much when your lips are moving.”“Very few people ever got into trouble by listening too much.”“You can easily identify the people who don't know what they're talking about. They're usually the ones who insist they do.” From Great Minds“Imagination is more important than knowledge.” — Einstein“No, no, no. You're not thinking. You're just being logical.” — Bohr What If?If I rode the first wave of a beam of light holding a mirror, would I be invisible in it? This episode is supported by Vantage Point's Executive Sponsor, Stephen Bozer, SVP of Human Health at Flavine and Vantage Point's Executive Sponsor. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. More at eliamdur.com.

This is …Vantage Point The podcast for critical thinkers. Where we make sense of – and excel in – our lives, our jobs, and our world. We’re not political, just critical.  ****************Thanks for joining in the first of our inaugural episodes. I’m your host, Eli Amdur.Vantage Point, the podcast for critical thinkers, will bring you:1.      One major commentary.2.      Timely, relevant observations and advice.3.      Eli’s aphorisms – short, pithy, and insightful.4.      Thoughts from great minds in history – and a question to ponder. 5.      “What if?” Exciting contemporary ideas.Additionally, from time to time we’ll interview exciting thought leaders from many fields. Vantage Point has one objective: To help make you better, more competitive, and more fulfilled by constantly improving your critical thinking.*********So let’s get started…Today [date]:·         What They Didn’t Teach You in Business School·         Four on-target pieces of advice from Eli’s half-century career.·         From great minds to us.·         “What if?” – We’ll start with Albert Einstein, who else?  CommentaryWhat They Didn’t Teach You in Business School            I didn’t go to business school, but I’ve been in the world of business for more than 50 years. I didn’t earn an MBA, but I taught leadership courses in an MBA program (plus another graduate program) at Fairleigh Dickinson University for 15 years.I didn’t study international business or international affairs, but my business travels took me across America and to Japan, France, Netherlands, Israel, Canada, and Mexico, and I’ve done business with corporate clients and government agencies from 20 countries on all six habitable  continents.I didn’t set out to be a business leader, but I’ve held leadership positions in small to mid-size companies in five industries.I didn’t see myself as a consultant, but I wound up advising leaders at some of the world’s largest companies across 25 industries.I didn’t plan on being an entrepreneur, but I started and ran two businesses, one in the eighties (six years) and my most recent coaching practice (nearly 28 years). There’s a lot I didn’t do and a lot I did. Believe me, what I did far exceeds what I didn’t do. And I don’t think that’s an accident, nor am I an outlier. I think it’s because of the natural order of things: that the most meaningful growth and accomplishments occur not when we’re taught, but when we take it upon ourselves to learn. Don’t think that’s a great nugget of wisdom that I uncovered in my spiritual search for cosmic truth. Far from it: that’s just my way of affirming something that Harold Geneen said many years ago. Geneen (1910-1997) was the president and chief executive officer of ITT from 1959 to 1977, during which time it was the world’s largest conglomerate.Although embroiled in some intricate scandals and controversies, which he never either avoided or denied, he was nonetheless an important business leader with enormous power. Not only did he run his many-faceted empire; he was a prominent and influential thinker, and among his many nuggets, Geneen said, “Leadership cannot be taught. It can only be learned.”             And so, I get to the purpose for today’s column. I’ve been asked more than once for career advice for aspiring leaders. Based on what I did – and all the things I didn’t do – here are 21 leadership lessons I’ve learned along the way. Lessons they don’t teach you in business school. Lessons that are there if you choose to find them. Nobody taught them to me; I learned them on my own, the way Harold Geneen would have thought I should. Here they are.1.      Don’t be a jerk. The world has plenty of them. Be a mensch instead.2.      Include everyone. There’s no telling where talent or an idea lies.3.      Celebrate everything. The biggest triumphs are made of thousands of small triumphs.4.      Your opportunities are not always obvious. But they’re always there.5.      Problems are only opportunities poorly dressed. It just depends on how you look at things.6.      Hand your employees their successes. Own their failures; if you’ll take ownership, so will they.7.      Say, “It’s not my fault but it is my problem.” It’s amazing how fast things get taken care of.8.      You never know where the next great idea will come from. See lesson 2.9.      Nobody knows a job better than the person doing it. Don’t tell them how to do it; tell them what needs to get done. They’ll surprise you over and over – until it’s no longer a surprise.10.  Think small while you’re thinking big. That great oak was once an acorn.11.  How much good can you do? You were hired to do well, which you will – if you do good, too.12.  Reward teams first. Then reward individuals. Not the other way around.13.  Listen to the new guy. Where do you think new ideas come from? 14.  Teach. It’s how success perpetuates.15.  Manage your business but coach your people. Good managers are all over. Great coaches? Rare.16.  Just get the work done, that’s all. That’s where lesson 12 comes in.17.  Smile and laugh every day. Or just give up.18.  Aim high. “Not failure, but low aim is the crime.” (James Russell Lowell)19.  Get out of your comfort zone. And take everyone with you.20.  Expand your sphere of awareness. Know what’s going on beyond your immediate world. 21.  Say “What if?” Say it a lot – and don’t be afraid of the answer. **********   Eli’s Aphorisms  The aphorist asserts the truth as he sees it, with no need to argue, defend, or explain it. He is unshakingly confident he is right – and that’s that. Take it or leave it. Here are four of Eli’s favorites.·         If you had eight hours in the US Mint and could take home all the $20 bills you can count, how much time would you take for lunch?                                                                      ·         Generally speaking, you aren't learning much when your lips are moving.  ·         Very few people ever got into trouble by listening too much.  ·         You can easily identify the people who don't know what they're talking about. They're usually the ones who insist they do. *******************From great minds“Imagination is more important thn knowledge.” Albert Einstein“No, no, no. You’re not thinking. You’re just being logical.” Niels BohrHere’s the question. Aside from being good friends, what else did they share in common?*************** What if?Albert Einstein used to muse ...“We know that light travels in beams, and light beams have light waves, So … if I were riding on the first wave of a beam of light and held a mirror in front of me, would I be invisible in the mirror?” Think about it. We’ll answer it next time.****************Coming up in the next few weeks·         The Importance of Global Alliances·         Critical Traits for the 21st Century·         Open Letter from a Liberal Arts Graduate·         What Made Sandy Koufax Great Can Work for You, Too      

In this inaugural episode of Vantage Point, host Eli Amdur confronts an issue that quietly shapes every aspect of modern life: the rapid decline of critical thinking.Drawing on nearly three decades as a career and executive coach, professor, columnist, and advisor to leaders across industries, Eli argues that this erosion is not theoretical—it is observable, measurable, and consequential. From graduate classrooms to boardrooms, he has seen firsthand how fundamental thinking skills have weakened, often without awareness.This episode introduces Vantage Point’s central mission: to preserve, strengthen, and re-center critical thinking as a practical life skill—not an abstract academic concept. Eli breaks down critical thinking into its essential components, including analytical, logical, evaluative, reflective, creative, strategic, ethical, and skeptical thinking, explaining how these modes work together rather than in isolation.Listeners are also introduced to recurring segments that will define the podcast:Eli’s Aphorisms — short, hard-earned truths about work, leadership, and human behaviorGreat Minds — lessons drawn from history’s most influential thinkers, including Albert Einstein and Niels BohrThe “What If?” Question — ideas designed to provoke thought rather than comfortThe episode closes by previewing upcoming discussions on global alliances, hiring for the 21st century, what business school leaves out, and how ancient Greek education shaped thinking in ways modern systems often neglect.Vantage Point is not political. It is critical. And its purpose is singular: to help you think better—so you can live, work, and decide more effectively.