Five Bullet Friday - August 01, 2025

Dear A,

I can't believe it's already August 1st. It's been a hot summer down here in Florida and I'm honestly looking forward to some cooler months ahead.

Stuck inside with the AC set at 72, here’s what’s been on my mind this week...

REPORT I'M READING...

AI 2027 by Daniel Kokotajlo, Scott Alexander, Thomas Larsen, Eli Lifland, Romeo Dean. So, this report was brought to my attention the other day. After reading about "superhuman AI" or "Agent-4", I'm convinced that business as we have known it for the past 25 years will be radically disrupted in just the next 3-5. If you are not up-to-speed on the AI Revolution, you will be left behind. Read this is you are business person who doesn't want to become obsolete (NOTE - I was never a "techie" but I recognize the concept of adapt or die).

BOOK I'M WRITING...

CARVER Leadership: Lessons from the Board Room, War Room, and Locker Room. My colleague, former undercover mob-buster turned NBA referee, Bob Delaney, and I have been working on a leadership book for months. We're almost done with the complete first draft. We hope to have it on the shelves by the holidays. Stay tuned for updates.

VIDEO I'M WATCHING...

Bill Walsh Clinic Talk. This is a video from a football coaches clinic where legendary San Francisco 49ers coach, Bill Walsh, discusses preparation and strategy. Known as "The Genius", he was an intense competitor who left nothing to chance. Truly someone who mastered leadership and organizational management.

POEM I'M ENJOYING...

A great poem for those who live for the fight, by Berton Braley (1882 - 1966).

The Will to Win...

If you want a thing bad enough

To go out and fight for it,

Work day and night for it,

Give up your time and your peace and your sleep for it

If only desire of it

Makes you quite mad enough

Never to tire of it,

Makes you hold all other things tawdry

and cheap for it

If life seems all empty and useless without it

And all that you scheme and you dream is about it,

If gladly you’ll sweat for it,

Fret for it, Plan for it,

Lose all your terror of God or man for it,

If you’ll simply go after that thing that you want.

With all your capacity,

Strength and sagacity,

Faith, hope and confidence, stern pertinacity,

If neither cold poverty, famished and gaunt,

Nor sickness nor pain

Of body or brain

Can turn you away from the thing that you want,

If dogged and grim you besiege and beset it,

You’ll get it!

QUOTE I'M PONDERING...

"The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn't said."

— Peter F. Drucker

 
Thank you for your attention. As always, I welcome your thoughts and suggestions.

Stay safe and vigilant,

Luke Bencie