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Archive for the ‘Creativity’ Category

Innovation

Saturday, December 12th, 2009

Last night was special - I watched the best film on innovation I’ve ever seen. It was simple, and loosely based on a true story. It was funny. And it delved into the challenges of innovation. The movie was called Kinky Boots. Here is the product description.

For generations, the Price family has made very sensible, very conservative shoes for men. But to save the business from imminent bankruptcy, young Charlie Price turns to an unlikely new creative consultant: a sassy cross-dressing cabaret singer whose outrageous style and wild designs are a breath of fresh air in the stuffy old factory! Fun and original, it’s a must-have movie that proves the best way to fit in is to stand out!

If you want to challenge your organization, pick up this quirky film - it will make you laugh and provide the backdrop for how to think differently about your business and your future.

Book Awards

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

I grew up on a farm in Norther Illinois. I was in 4-H and FFA. I also bought calves in the fall, trained them over the winter to be led and showed, and then took them to the local, county and state fairs throughout the summer. Each year, I spent hundreds of hours only to be informed in a matter of minutes whether my project was best of class, or simply okay. And along that journey, I learned many valuable lessons.

  • I needed to evaluate my projects objectively, not subjectively
  • Focus and determination were direct enemies of laziness and procrastination
  • Expectations often led to disappointment, although hope was often rewarded
  • Long term view and commitment was essential to success
  • Try to have fun while doing your best work

You may have had similar experiences and lessons along the way. Approximately 3-years ago I started a different journey. It was a journey I was uncertain if I wanted to complete, nor compete. After all, I had to be my own critic, which is difficult. But along the way, the basis for a book started to unfold, and it was different than my competition. Six months ago my book was born. Then I had to ask myself, and the world, how good is it - really? The other day I just received notification that it was named a Finalist in the Business: Leadership & Management category at The National Best Books 2009 Awards. I guess that means, I received a Blue Ribbon.

Awards are a nice way of saying, “Job Well Done.” How do you award your employees for a job well done?

Inspiration

Monday, March 2nd, 2009

With my book Without Warning soon to be released, many ask, “Where did you come up with the idea?”  I liken it to a song that you can’t get out of your head.  One day I was meeting with a client when she told me an amazing story about how she got her team to work together.  In the book, the chapter is titled, “The Head Fake.”  This was my inspirational moment, the point where I realized at times, the best means to solving a problem is to Create a Problem, which I refer to as a CAP Initiative.  From that moment forward, I don’t know why I wrote the book, because I don’t consider myself a writer.  I’m unsure where the wisdom came from, other than it happened in profound ways.  I didn’t understand why, other than intuitively I realized it was important.

And this morning some of the stars came into alignment.  I was over at Bob Sutton’s blog and he had an entry titled, The Best Talk on Creativity I ever Saw.  It’s a 20 minute clip from TED with Elizabeth Gilbert, the author of Eat, Pray, Love presenting.  It’s brilliant and counterintuitive.  At least from where I’ve been educated.  Here it is Elizabeth Gilbert on the Creative Process.  It is well worth the investment.

Be the one to see it coming!

The first leadership book to point out the problem, then hand-deliver the solution.

Without Warning - Rondey Johnson

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