Surrounded By Geniuses

Something to Scream About

Greetings.  Who could have imagined that an 1895 Norwegian painting that is all about stress and human anxiety would become the most expensive work of art ever sold at auction.  Yet yesterday, Edvard Munch's widely-known creation "The Scream" sold for a whopping $120 million.  That's $120 million in an era and an economy that is filled with stress, anxiety, fear, grief and all of the other emotions that this popular painting seems to evoke.  Which must make it a fitting symbol of our times.

But it shouldn't require the sale of one of four versions of The Scream to get us to understand the challenge of leading companies and organizations in difficult and uncertain times.  And the challenge of driving even greater employee engagement, empowerment and innovation when so many of our employees, team members and associates continue to worry about the future of their jobs and their long-term economic prospects.  to not only cope but create the innovation and customer value needed to turn things around.  Add to the mix recent college grads who wonder if their investment in education was worth the cost at a time when so many of their friends aren't finding opportunities in their fields of study.

We need to figure out a way to turn today's anxiety into creative energy--much like the burst of energy Munch must have had when he imagined The Scream.  Energy borne of the frustration that there are things going on that are beyond our control and that the only way to cope is by screaming or creating a new reality.

These are times that demand greater innovation--in energy and the environment, transportation and mobility, health and healthcare, food and nutrition, access to education and creating meaningful work and greater economic opportunity for everyone.  These are challenges that require a new canvas and a palette of new colors--at a time when too many of us simply want to scream.  The only question is whether our scream will be a sign that we've run out of energy and hope or a new call to action in unlocking our real genius. 

We win in business and in life when we acknowledge the occasion need to scream.  And when we turn frustration into the type of new thinking that can improve the companies, communities and world we share.

Cheers!

Appreciating Differences

Greetings.  Susan Cain's insightful new book Quiet: The Power of Introverts is an important reminder that people and innovation come in all shapes, sizes and personalities.  Just because we live in a somewhat "extroverted" society that seems to value extroversion much more than introversion doesn't mean that it is the only, or even the best path, to creating business breakthroughs.  In fact, there is a lot of new research suggesting that brainstorming and group work are vastly overrated and growing understanding that some people are far more brilliant--at least more brilliant initially--when trying to solve a problem or to innovate on their own.  In other words, there's probably the right time for introversion and the right time for extroversion as part of a process that leads to more compelling results.

So as you begin this week and the new month of May, try to carve out some alone time to explore and wrestle with the biggest challenges you face.  Then, after you have done your own best thinking, try to surround yourself with colleagues and strangers who have very different ideas and perspectives.  Ideas and perspectives that can help your thinking to reach its full potential.

Introverts and extroverts.

Both essential contributors to the success of our companies and organizations. But only if we are open to figuring out how to leverage the genius in each of them.

We win in business and in life when we understand how to collaborate with people with different personalities.  And when we understand the magic of alone time and even quiet.

Cheers! 

The Power of the Unexpected

Greetings.  Our middle daughter Carly, who is currently in the ninth grade, has a new favorite joke that she loves to tell to family and friends.  It goes like this:

There were two muffins in the oven.  The first one turns to the other and says "It sure is getting hot in here."  To which the second responds (with a sense of astonishment) "Look, it's a talking muffin!"

Now I know it's not the deepest or most sophisticated joke you've ever heard.  But it is a joke you can tell to anyone...unless they have a clear aversion to muffins or to talking muffins in particular.  More importantly, it becomes even funnier as Carly tells it, because this simple joke causes her to crack up with each new telling.

Which causes me to think about this joke in a whole new light...or maybe a couple of new lights.  First, there's something wonderfully contagious about laughter and we probably don't have enough of it in our companies and organizations.  

Laughter that breaks the ice in challenging situations.  

Laughter that connects people and helps to build teamwork and collaboration.  

Laughter that energizes us to stretch and think in new and more compelling ways.

Laughter that demonstrates our shared humanity in good and difficult times.  

Laughter that is simple, honest, positive, a bit goofy and only offends the relatives of talking muffins.

Second, we need to continually surround ourselves with people who are quick to spot the "obvious" that most of us fail to notice.  People who are less concerned with the essential challenges we face and way more focused on the unique talents we might have for solving them.  People who can readily recognize and encourage the remarkable abilities or their co-workers and our organization. People who, by their nature, can quickly spot something different and unexpected that also happens to be meaningful.

We win in business and in life when we take a totally different look at something that seems obvious.  And when we use that unique vantage point to create a world of new possibilities.

Cheers!

Face Time

Greetings.  Saddled with debt from going to university, two enterprising British students decided to start a new venture as a way to pay off their loans.  The result was Buy My Face, a company that literally sells advertising space on their faces.

If you think this sounds like a crazy idea you're probably right.  But it often takes a crazy idea to stand out from the herd.  And in an era being driven by the power of social media and the energy of young, creative and slightly crazy people, this idea is capturing a lot of attention as a wide variety of companies are competing to buy face time on the faces of Ross Harper and Ed Moyse, the "Supreme Chancellor" and "Executive Titan" of the business.  Face time that they hope will go viral on the web and possibly catch a bit of attention as the two travel around town as walking billboards for news channels, radio stations, potato chips (or "crisps" as they are called in the UK), tech companies and even the accounting firm Ernst & Young. 

It's a fascinating idea that has powerful implications for you and your company or organization--implications that stretch way beyond simply advertising on faces.  Because it suggests the real power of all of our faces in influencing the markets and customers we hope to serve.  And the power of all of our faces when we seek to innovate, collaborate and build the most successful organizations.  So try to imagine what you would say if you had the chance to write something on your face.  Or on the faces of all of your colleagues or employees.  What message would you write on this small and compelling billboard that would quickly create a meaningful impression?  An impression that might inspire someone to connect with you as a customer or a co-worker.  An impression that might demonstrate that you were the perfect partner.  

And then imagine the power of our own expressions to make a connection when they aren't painted with logos or tag lines.  Do we signal our clear intention to learn, share, serve and work together in order to make a difference.  As walking advertisements for why anyone would want to do business or team up with us.

We win in business and in life when we unlock the power of our faces. After all, we are always walking billboards for the products, services and solutions we offer, the way we engage...and the things that we hold dear.

Cheers!

Defining Problems and Opportunities

Greetings.  Looking for a quick way to test the creativity of your colleagues and your organization?  If so, here's a simple and energizing three-minute "exercise" that will provide some interesting insight.

1.  Begin by dividing everyone into groups of five to eight people.

2.  Then tell them that you are going to do a quick assessment of their creative and collaborative abilities.

3.  Next, give each group a set of 50 paper or plastic plates and a set of 50 paper or plastic cups.

4.  Now tell everyone that they will have three minutes to complete an assignment that has no right or wrong answers.

5.  Finally, give everyone the following instructions and a signal to start:

"Use the cups and plates to build the tallest tower possible."

Then let their energy and creativity rise to the challenge...and, after two minutes, give them an enthusiastic one-minute "warning" to spark their competitive juices and create a sense of compelling urgency.

At the end of three minutes you can blow a whistle, sound a horn or simply say:

"TIME'S UP!"

Which means it's time to measure each group's tower and ask for insight on the process each group went through in trying to build the tallest tower.  In doing this basic "debrief" you will likely notice that several groups were diligent in using just the cups and plates to build their towers.  So diligent, in fact, that they interpreted the instructions to say:

"Use only the cups and plates to build the tallest tower possible."

And their towers are likely to reflect this limitation.  Because it isn't easy to build a tall tower out of paper or plastic plates and cups.  Though they probably used great creativity in coming up with the design for their relatively short tower.

You will also likely notice that one or more of the other groups decided to use more than the plates and cups to build their towers.  They might have used a chair, their tallest group member or some other readily available item--in addition to the cups and plates--as an aid in achieving greater height.  And their towers are likely to be taller and less susceptible to the wind.  These groups interpreted the instructions to say:

"Use the cups and plates and anything else you can find or imagine (or try out of desperation) to build the tallest tower possible." 

For them, the result was the key and they were willing to stretch the bounds of the instructions in order to get the most remarkable outcome possible.  Their only real constraints were the time limit and the power of their imaginations.

As it turns out, we need both types of groups in our companies and organizations. But we really need the second type at the start of efforts to solve pressing problems or create meaningful new opportunities.  Yet all too often we limit our potential by narrowly defining the challenges we face at the outset.  Even when the behaviors we require are teachable!

We win in business and in life when we push the boundaries of rules in a positive way to create more powerful possibilities.

Cheers!

The Promise of Spring

Greetings.  It's not even the middle of March yet and Spring has already arrived in many parts of the U.S. and much of the northern hemisphere.  The first flowers are coming up from the ground, migratory birds are returning from journeys south, the pollen count is climbing fast and temperatures are rising more than enough to suggest that Winter is probably over.  Soon the remarkable cherry blossoms here in Washington will be in full bloom--almost two weeks early this year--marking their 100th anniversary as our semi-official start to the new season.

Spring is the season of new beginnings.  Of beautiful colors and delightful smells. Of animals returning after a Winter of rest and resuming their routines and cycles of life.  Of reacquainting ourselves with yard work, bicycle rides and walks in the park.  Of reconnecting with all of the friends and neighbors who have been hiding in the warmth of their homes.  Of enjoying longer days and the growing warmth of the sun before it gets too hot to be outside.  Of starting to think about summer vacations and of being reenergized.

And Spring is also a time of almost limitless possibilities.  And a great time to imagine how we might unlock new opportunities to energize and grow our companies and organizations.  By giving ourselves a fresh start and then thinking about all of the growth and possibilities unfolding around us.

So why not take the geniuses you work with out of the office for a few hours or a day in order to experience Spring as a team.  To notice and marvel collectively at the wonders all around you.  And then to imagine what new wonders you could create together for the customers and colleagues you have the privilege to serve.

We win in business and in life when we pause to be reenergized.  And when we discover, in the changing of the seasons, an opportunity to reinvent ourselves and our organizations.

Cheers!

The Genius of Mentors

Greetings.  Behind most successful people there is a mentor.  Someone with the experience, wisdom and dedication to teach and guide.  Someone able to see and unlock our great potential long before it ever takes shape.  Someone to bounce ideas off of.  Someone to listen and encourage.  Someone to bring a different and more knowledgeable perspective from having made a similar journey...often on a road less traveled.  

And while most companies, organizations and leaders readily admit that mentors are valuable, few have figured out how to create mentoring programs and a culture of mentoring that really works.  Instead, initiatives launched with great optimism and fanfare seem to vanish quickly--except in rare cases in which mentoring is part of a company's DNA and the roles of mentor and mentored (or is that "mentee") are seen as essential to innovation, growth and business success.  Which suggests that we need to be more innovative in how we think about mentors, because the truth is that practically every one of us would benefit from having one or more along our journeys.

The idea of having more than one mentor was brought to my attention by my wife Lisa, herself a wonderful clinical nurse, educator and mentor, who suggested that people find their real talents by being exposed to different mentors whose insight and styles gives them a broader base of guidance on the real keys to success.  And when mentors work as a collaborative team the benefits are even greater.  Plus, the pressure is taken off a sole mentor who must fit their support into the constraints of everything else on their plates.  So just as many enlightened organizations have job rotation opportunities for high-potential employees, we might imagine mentor rotation opportunities too.  The main differences being that we don't give up our engagement with a first mentor when a second mentor enters our lives, and that we view all of our employees as being "high-potential" and capable of reaching new heights with the help of someone who has already been there.

And just for fun, here's a bit of historical context.  The word "mentor" actually comes from ancient Greece and a very clever fellow named Mentor who was a close and trusted confidante of our buddy Odysseus.

We win in business and in life when we are eager to learn from those who have walked on the path before us.  And when their support and passion for mentoring enables us to discover their wisdom and our own unique brilliance.

Cheers! 

Leaping Ahead

Greetings and Happy Birthday to everyone born on February 29th.  You've waited a long time to celebrate so make sure to have the best day possible.  After all, your next real birthday won't come for another four years.  Yes, it's another "Leap Year" and a time for the rest of us to set the calendar straight by adjusting for the odd fact that our days are only 23 hours, 56 minutes and 4 seconds long.  It's the amount of time that it takes our favorite little planet--known affectionately as the "Earth"--to rotate on its axis.  And a year, in case you're wondering, is actually 365.2425 days long--or 365 days, 5 hours, 49 minutes and 12 seconds.  But who's counting, other than the Gregorians?

Though we should be counting for another important reason.  Because it turns out that the idea of "Leap Year," and having an extra day, is a great way to think about achieving greater business success.  And a great way to challenge us to view time as a gift.  Especially when it always seems to be in such short supply, and when we struggle to "find the time" to focus on the things that matter most.  What if we could commit to giving ourselves and the geniuses we work with an extra day to pursue ideas and projects that have great potential but are too often confined to the back burner?  What if we could give ourselves an extra day to question the way we do things in order to make them better?  To pause in the midst of business as usual to take a fresh look at our products, services and solutions to make sure they deliver the greatest value.  Or a fresh look at the customer experiences we provide to make sure we truly engage, inform and empower those we have the privilege to serve.  Or to take a fresh look at our organization's culture and the results of our attempts to enhance innovation, collaboration and learning.

Simply by giving ourselves, more often than once every four years, the gift of a day well-earned by a business working overtime to compete on a spinning planet filled with challenges and opportunities.

We win in business and in life whenever we take the time to be more remarkable.  In fact, it should be a cause for celebration!

Cheers! 

Protecting Customers and Employees

Greetings.  Having teenagers has its special rewards.  Wait...I'm trying to think of one.  But seriously, having two teenage daughters is a source of great joy and, at times, lots of emotion.  But it's also a wonderful opportunity to learn, keep up with the wisdom and challenges of their generation, strengthen my understanding of digital technology and the fast-changing world of entertainment and improve my colorful language skills.  It is also an opportunity to learn about some of the best practices of companies focused on young people that are working hard to earn their attention and purchasing power.  Companies like H & M, the fast-growing Swedish retailer, or Chipotle which has reinvented the world of fast food, or Spotify which is innovating the way people find and share music.

And one lesser-known company started by a mother and her teenage daughter in southern California also caught my eye.  It's called Zorbitz and it makes jewelry out of gems and wood that has a special twist.  Buy a Zorbitz bracelet and it comes on "seed paper" that can be planted to grow a tree.  And if that isn't cool enough, it also comes with a powerful promise based on the specific healing purpose of each bracelet.  For example, the "Protection Bracelet" that our daughter Carly received as a gift comes with the following pledge:

"Wear this bracelet always and your life can be protected from evil, negativity and harm, your stress can be lifted, and you will become a beautiful flower."

Which seemed a bit goofy until I started imagining this pledge as something we might offer to all of our customers.  And all of our employees.  A pledge to protect them by making their world--and our interactions with them--more positive, less toxic and way less stressful.  A pledge to make them more beautiful and complete. A pledge to keep them from harm every minute that they use our product or work for our company or organization.  And as I thought about it, it didn't seem so goofy any more.  In fact, it seemed to be a remarkably powerful idea for all us that could, with a bit of word-smithing, apply to every business in every industry that cares about its customers and its people.  Apparel makers whose offerings could make wearers stronger and healthier while protecting them from the dangers around them.  Hotels that could make guests more energized and complete by protecting them from the stress of travel or the great frustration of a bad meeting.  Defense contractors who could use the best technology and materials to protect all of our soldiers when they enter harm's way.  IT companies that could build systems that instantly repair themselves.  Based on a powerful pledge borne out of a bracelet and the vision of a young company started with $100 after a walk along the beach.

We win in business and in life when we commit to protecting those we serve.  And when we believe that we can learn a lot from teenagers.

Cheers! 

Having a Bad Day?

Greetings.  A few moments after the New England Patriots barely defeated the Baltimore Ravens to win the American Football Conference championship, star quarterback Tom Brady said during his first post-game interview:  

"I sucked pretty bad today but our defense saved us."  

It was a simple and very honest admission by one of the best players in the history of professional football.  An admission that no matter how talented we might be, or how well we prepare, sometimes we just have bad days.  But if we are lucky, our teammates cover for us.  It's essential insight for our companies and organizations as we try to innovate, accomplish more with fewer resources and work to deliver greater value to those we have the privilege to serve.  

We'd all like to be perfect every day.  But sometimes things don't work out as we've planned.  And that's just one of the reasons we need each other more than many of us are willing to admit.  Because our collective genius is a lot more powerful than our individual abilities--even on our best days.

We win in business and in life when we always look out for each other. And when we are able to admit that we've had better days.

Cheers and have a great and collaborative week ahead!