Week 4: Chapter 3 — Normalizing Endings

1.Cloud draws on both business and personal examples to show that the most successful people and organizations end things regularly and intentionally. Did any of his examples surprise you or challenge a belief you held about what success looks like?

2.Cloud argues that we tend to see those who end things — who fire people, leave relationships, shut down projects — as cold or disloyal, while those who tolerate dysfunctional situations are seen as faithful and persevering. Where did you pick up that value system? Do you still agree with it?

3.The chapter talks about how companies that fail to prune product lines, strategies, or people tend to stagnate and eventually fail. Can you think of an example — from your own experience or from a well-known organization — where the failure to end something led to a larger collapse?