Last year, one of the world’s leading tool brands asked me to come to train their teams on innovation. While I have a robust history of teaching innovation across a variety of industries, I am the first to admit that my knowledge of tools is a bit underwhelming. With my work and travels, I’ve just never found the time to be one of those DIY-types. Wanting to understand the tool market a little bit better before I gave my talk, I decided to spend a [...]
“Life is a series of hellos and goodbyes. I'm afraid it's time for goodbye again.” -Billy Joel, “Say Goodbye to Hollywood” I’m in Los Angeles this week, and as expected, Oscar fever is sky high. The 91st Annual Academy Awards is just a few weeks away, and Hollywood is absolutely buzzing. Strolling down Hollywood Boulevard today, I passed the legendary Dolby Theater. While the entrance was packed mainly with tourists trying to take a selfie with Spiderman, in a few short weeks it will be [...]
When I ask people where they are and what are they doing when they get their best ideas, I am invariably met with a list of common responses: showering, jogging, commuting, reading, falling asleep, gardening, etc. But in all the years of asking this question, never have I heard the words “at work.” Why? Because most corporate cultures do not believe in using one of the most useful Creative Behaviors at our disposal. A behaviour that primes our brain to think of its best, most [...]
How to Leverage Your Childlike Curiosity for Innovation Albert Einstein once remarked: “I am neither clever nor especially gifted. I am only very, very curious.” He went on to add that “It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education!” Think of some the most curious people you know and invariably children will come top of mind. And what question do children ask over and over again? WHY? WHY? and WHY? again. WHY? is how we learn. But unfortunately, once we enter into formal education [...]
SuperDisneyMagicStory ExtraMaryDocious This weekend marks the return of one of the most beloved film characters of all time: Mary Poppins. Flying back onto the screen after 54 years, Mary Poppins Returns is a sequel to the 1964 Disney original Mary Poppins – a film that to this day is one of the most adored, acclaimed, and award-winning movies of all time. It’s not very typical to see a sequel emerge a full 54 years after the original. But then again, Mary Poppins is not your [...]
Real-Life Superheroes During my time at Disney, I spent a lot of hours working with the Parks team. With six worldwide resorts and a dozen unique parks between them, it’s one of the most complex systems I have ever encountered in my entire career. But while the system is complex, the mission was simple: bring fantasies to life. This was especially true after Disney’s acquisition of Marvel in 2009. With a universe full of amazing stories and characters, we were tasked with not only bringing [...]
Let’s Make Some Magic Magic, by definition, cannot be explained. It’s a sequence of events that, even when followed with a close eye, still leaves audiences mystified and mesmerized. Now, when we think of magic, we think of dark theatres, capes, and rabbits in oversized top hats. But the truth is, magic can be found nearly everywhere. Any time there is a staggering gap between what’s expected and what’s delivered – a gap so wide that it can’t be explained – you’re experiencing magic. That [...]
Thanksgiving Turkeys, Presidential Pardons, & Overcoming Barriers “Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right.” -Henry Ford It’s the time of year when America is prepping for the feast to end all feasts: Thanksgiving. It’s a holiday built around family and traditions. Things like cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, and of course, turkey! And while turkey sales skyrocket in November, there is one lucky bird who is guaranteed to make it through the season without ending up on the dinner [...]
Think Different I believe everyone is creative. But unfortunately, it’s getting harder and harder to convince people that they’re creative. No matter how hard you may try, many people believe creativity is something you’re born with – that you either have it or you don’t. Why is this important? Because the world is changing unlike it ever has before. Of course, the world is always changing. But this time, it’s different. This time the changes are coming so fast, it’s nearly impossible to keep up. [...]
Happy Birthday Mickey! “I only hope that we don’t lose sight of one thing – that it was all started by a mouse.” – Walt Disney There’s a very special birthday this month (and no, it’s not yours truly). On November 18th, 2018, one of the world’s most iconic characters turns 90 years old. That character? The one and only Mickey Mouse! 90 years old! Mickey looks great for his age, wouldn’t you say? From a sketch of a mouse to a worldwide empire, The [...]
