Hi Michael,
What strikes me about ND is that he is new, original and fresh. Not that he's saying anything new, it's more his approach and view. I say that only have read your comments, not seeing the video, I could not get it to work for some reason. The idea of the different authors you mention and the combination of how he might bring those together, is what really piques my interest. My hunch is that in the book, he'll make some connections to things that otherwise might have seem disconnected, much like Malcom Gladwell does, causing you to see the world in a new way (echoing your thought). I'd certainly like a copy !

Michael, I'm new to your blog but saw this and wanted to comment. This idea may have already been communicated before, but to me, bears repeating again. More than the external issue of what people wear, this was (to me) a value issue. As in, what the company values, and that is its people. Maxwell has quoted someone who says that a leader's main job is to define reality. In defining reality, which really comes down to choices, you're also defining what is not reality. The reality defined by this decision is that "our people matter to us," and not, "what you wear and how well you keep up with the Jones in the office does not." It also defines that the organization is not about the externals, but about what it does to enhance the human condition. A subtle change, but a big impact. Great decision.