Thanks for the thoughtful post John. I agree that passion is the key to sustained extreme performance and I'm intrigued by your definitions. But where is the key component of passion in your analysis? Desire. Desire is what motivates action; desire to change the status quo, desire to achieve, desire to make an impact, etc. I've discovered that a lack of desire is what leads to depression; in individuals, organizations, and the economy as a whole.

I empathize and agree David. It's a difficult time to be an advisor. But there is a silver lining. I am personally witnessing long-term relationships give way to those with more powerful ideas. It truly is the age of the idea.

Thank you Jon and Randy!

Context matters, a lot. But so does intent. The most successful people and organizations achieve their success through a deeply held belief in their work. Their profits come from passion and purpose, not from setting and managing financial goals. The Washington Post social experiment was a total head game. The people involved certainly believed that Bell’s music, his idea, could bring happiness and meaning to people’s lives. But they were indifferent as to whether or not it actually did. Their heart and soul simply weren’t in it, and the results confirmed their purely academic approach and lack of caring.

Hey Martin, As I see it, the problem with brainstorming as it is typically employed is that it suppresses "dots" through peer pressure and groupthink. For truly breakthrough ideas, I'd let those with an abundance of experience do a "dot dump" in isolation, without fear of rejection. Then I'd take all the ideas and see if the collective can connect the dots and create a valuable picture.

Thanks Jeff!

Great comment and analysis Jon! Thanks.

Thank you for the comment Rajesh. Indeed, human beings are more dynamic than product brands. However, it all comes down to the expectations of the audience. For example, movie stars and athletes create expectations for both management/directors and for fans. If the expectations are exceeded, the brand value increases. The key for human brands, then, is to create clear expectations and perform to those expectations.

Thank you Christina. And good for you Sarah. Keep shedding those layers. It will lighten your load. And as G. K. Chesterton once wrote, "Angels fly because they take themselves lightly."

Hey Will, I have the book on my shelf staring me in the face, laughing. :)

I suppose I should have written, " . . . without major incident."

Thank you Sandra. Happy Holidays! Mahalo Alan! Please say hello to my friends in paradise.

Hey John, Thanks for the compliment. And great point about brand positioning. Positioning, as it's practiced by most, is about creating a perception of differentiation in a target audience's mind through imagery and communication. The process focuses on the brand and its needs, and is pushed out to the audience. Reflection, on the other hand, starts with the audience. It's a process that hinges on awareness and empathy, and is meant to connect with one's audience in a passionate AND compassionate way for their benefit.

Hi Courtney, Be careful when applying Maslow to the marketplace. People don't satisfy desires in any kind of hierarchy. Also, indeed all appeals are targeted at people's feelings; since those feelings drive decision-making. However, those same people want to feel good about those feelings-based decisions, so they look for more pragmatic appeals to rationalize the decision. That's probably what your professor is referring to as a "rational appeal."

You can say it, Dara. And I'd largely agree. :)

Exactly Jon. Thanks. Life is all about perspective AND intent.

Thank YOU Grant!

Exactly! Thanks Ken.

Thank YOU Kristin.

Mahalo Alan!

Hi David, I fondly remember those driving experiences with my family. :) But they are very different today. 1. Local establishments are embracing the principles of design and aesthetics, thus they are much more appealing to the eye; and 2. People are using mobile devices to check the reviews of local establishments. So said establishments are focused (or should be) on providing a valuable dining experience (quality, selection, price, service, et al). Why trust when you can verify?

Hi Dexter, The key is to lead one's strategic thinking with value. What is the value in your communication? What is the value in the content, frequency, timing, etc. Brand is a proxy for distinctive value. While every "personal brand" is by its very nature "distinctive," very few actually add compelling value to the lives of others.

Thank you Megan. If there is ever any other way I can help, please let me know.

Hey John, Brands have value because they add value. I'm sure that G.E., and other valuable brands, relentlessly focus on communicating and delivering value. Do they have a vision for the future? Time will tell. Regarding the lack of participation in "Occupy," it comes down to a lack of shared identity and purpose (e.g. what's in it for me and for people like me). Thanks for stopping by. I owe you a ham sandwich. :)

Thank you Amy. You're exactly right! And Rosa, our lenses overlap more than you're probably aware. :)