“Less planning and more living”
Posted: July 9, 2014 Filed under: Misc. | Tags: Daniel Pink Leave a comment
Last month, author Daniel Pink delivered the commencement address at the Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences at Northwestern University (my alma mater). It is well worth the brief 15 minutes, but here are a few highlights:
- “Live to figure it out”
- “Less planning and more living”
- “Carefully crafted plans, like meticulously outlined essays, don’t hold up”
And my favorite quote:
“The greater risk is to choose false certainly over genuine ambiguity. The greater risk is to fear failure more than mediocrity. The greater risk is to pursue a path only because it is the first path you decided to pursue.”
What a great message to graduates. What a great message to all us given the realities of the world today, where adapting to the current environment is necessary and practical.
Weekly Download 14.13
Posted: July 7, 2014 Filed under: Change, Technology, Weekly Download | Tags: Flip Video, Pro Leave a comment
Here’s a recap of news and notes from around the Web that caught my attention over the past week or so.
How change happens: by empowering the lunatics. If that catches your attention, read more about it in To Create Real Change, Leadership Is More Important Than Authority. That reminds me of this very good 2001 book, Tempered Radicals: How People Use Difference to Inspire Change at Work.
Why GoPro’s Success Isn’t Really About the Cameras. There is a big difference in selling an experience versus a piece of technology. The Flip Video was the first to capture the idea of easy to use and inexpensive digital video GoPro is selling the experience of your adventure. Cisco paid $590 million in stock for Flip in April of 2011, only to shutter it 23 months later. Meanwhile, GoPro continues to thrive.
Here’s a headline that describes a seismic shift in how consumers are using mobile devices: comScore Says that Over Half of Digital Media Time Spent is On Mobile Apps. One standout piece of information is that 60% of digital time is being spend on mobile devices, up from 50% just a year ago. Numbers are even more dramatic for access to digital radio, maps, photos, messaging, and social media. While this is probably not surprising for those closely in touch with Gen X and Gen Y folks, older generations might find it shocking.
Mandela Lessons
Posted: July 1, 2014 Filed under: Leadership | Tags: Nelson Mandela Leave a comment
Nelson Mandela (July 18, 1918-8 – December 5, 2013) was one of the great world figures of our time. His story of triumph over adversity seems more like Hollywood fiction than reality. Author Mark C. Thompson reflects on a conversation he once had with Mandela in Mandela’s Five Strategies from Davos. Here are a few Mandela quotes excerpted from the article:
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
“Do not judge me by my successes. Judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”
“Lead from the back — and let others believe they are in front.”
“Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.”
In my years of consulting—both from the outside and inside of organizations—I have particularly practiced two of these five points.
First, there were many projects that seemed nearly impossible. Looking back, it almost seemed crazy that we tried. One was the launch of Sprint Wireless. There were 225 Ernst & Young consultants racing the clock to help launch a company in 10 months. It came together. Perhaps not as smooth as anyone would have liked, but it happened, it improved and endured. The second was a turnaround of Techline’s cabinetry manufacturing. We implemented make-to-order processes, redesigned the core product, changed suppliers, changed the mix of distribution, and many other things in a short period of time to reduce monthly losses. The company continued operations for 10 years, finally closing last month. The projects were done, showing that in the end they weren’t impossible.
Second, leading from the back. This was a critical learning as an external consultant, but equally important as a leader. Help others achieve their potential, develop them by putting them at the front of the room. Provide the opportunities, coach and mentor. They (clients or co-workers) will be far better for it.
Enjoy the article which captures Mark Thompson’s late night conversation with Mandela.
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