A common challenge: how to blend the power of organization with the creativity that almost inherently rebels against systems?
Both are needed. The idea that creativity thrives in a disorganized environment sounds charming but a review of some of the world's most creative people usually reveals a creativity that is shaped by enormous self-discipline. Some systems, of course, are so structured that surfacing any approach that is outside the expected norms is a career death wish.
The key to preventing an imbalance lies with the individual. Bringing on mavericks and encouraging team members to examine completely different ideas and experiences can be crucial. Large companies have management development programs that fund business-related study and workshops. It makes sense to expand those programs to include unconventional disciplines such as literature or art.
The individual, of course, can also jump the traces by purposely exploring subjects that will jar the usual perspective. Was Churchill's oil painting hobby merely a release or were there benefits that made their way into his less artistic endeavors? I suspect the latter.
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Car Time: Bugatti Veyron
Less than 150 people own a Bugatti Veyron:
Bugatti pulled the wraps off the stunning Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport this morning. The company isn't saying much about the car before its Aug. 16 premier, but does say that structural changes and other innovations make the roadster as rigid -- and safe -- as the coupe, which does zero to 60 in as little as 2.3 seconds (Bugatti claims 2.5) and tops out at 253 mph.
You will not believe the price.
Bugatti pulled the wraps off the stunning Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport this morning. The company isn't saying much about the car before its Aug. 16 premier, but does say that structural changes and other innovations make the roadster as rigid -- and safe -- as the coupe, which does zero to 60 in as little as 2.3 seconds (Bugatti claims 2.5) and tops out at 253 mph.
You will not believe the price.
Five Psychological Crime Novels
Andrew Klavan gives his top five list of psychological crime novels.
Although it doesn't fit neatly into this category, I'd add The Egyptologist by Arthur Phillips. Much fun and truly bizarre.
Although it doesn't fit neatly into this category, I'd add The Egyptologist by Arthur Phillips. Much fun and truly bizarre.
Leadership Carnival
Great Leadership is hosting the carnival on leadership development and has 41 posts worth checking out.
[I learned of some leadership bloggers that I'd not heard of.]
[I learned of some leadership bloggers that I'd not heard of.]
Quote of the Day
You can never have a greater or a less dominion than over yourself.
- Leonardo da Vinci
- Leonardo da Vinci
Friday, August 01, 2008
15 Sounds of a Deadly Speech
- A monotonal reading of the text.
- Frequent tapping or readjustment of the microphone.
- Notes being shuffled.
- Lectern being pounded.
- Bellowing in a small room.
- Whispering in a large one.
- The speaker laughing at his or her own jokes.
- Frequent throat clearing.
- Keys and coins being jingled in pants pockets.
- Uh. Uh. Uh.
- Right? Right?
- Okay? Okay?
- Basically this. Basically that.
- Audience fidgeting.
- Al, can you turn the lights back up? Al?
Tempering Your Temper
My post on the importance of restraining your temper at work is up at U.S. News & World Report.
Telecommuting's Downside
Forbes looks at the environmental downside of telecommuting.
Not to mention being too close to a kitchen.
Not to mention being too close to a kitchen.
What Can They Do To You?
Somewhere I read about an executive who calmed the fears of an associate who'd blundered by telling her, "What do you think they (upper management) are going to do? Burn down your house? Take your children? The most they can do is fire you."
And, of course, they didn't fire her, but the exec's approach did put matters in perspective. It is easy for fear to get out of control. Our imaginations can turn on us and generate one fearful notion after another. More than once in my career, I've smiled at one of my father's frequent bits of advice - "Tell 'em to go to hell" - and, being a tad more diplomatic, have altered it to "Be prepared to tell them to go to hell" or "Be ready to walk away from the table."
I've deeply regretted times when that advice left me and worry jumped into the saddle. Excessive worry can freeze judgment, squander time, and destroy pleasure. The extreme negative viewpoint often poses as reality but in fact it is usually a distortion. By caring less, and recognizing that many factors are out of our hands, we regain control and control is the most powerful antidote for fear.
And, of course, they didn't fire her, but the exec's approach did put matters in perspective. It is easy for fear to get out of control. Our imaginations can turn on us and generate one fearful notion after another. More than once in my career, I've smiled at one of my father's frequent bits of advice - "Tell 'em to go to hell" - and, being a tad more diplomatic, have altered it to "Be prepared to tell them to go to hell" or "Be ready to walk away from the table."
I've deeply regretted times when that advice left me and worry jumped into the saddle. Excessive worry can freeze judgment, squander time, and destroy pleasure. The extreme negative viewpoint often poses as reality but in fact it is usually a distortion. By caring less, and recognizing that many factors are out of our hands, we regain control and control is the most powerful antidote for fear.
Quote of the Day
People who cannot find time for recreation are obliged sooner or later to find time for illness.
- John Wanamaker
- John Wanamaker
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)