When I ask people, “What are the barriers to being more innovative and creative at work?” I often hear the same three things… 1. TIME (Often phrased as “I don’t have time to think”) 2. IDEAS GET STUCK (or diluted and killed) as they move through my organization 3. LACK OF RESOURCES While common objections, none of these are actually barriers to innovation. Even the busiest individuals can adopt [...]
As published in FastCompany by Duncan Wardle No need to panic at that “brainstorm” calendar invitation. Your next group meeting can rise above an uncontrolled idea exchange and deliver real results. What’s your gut reaction when you receive a calendar invite titled “brainstorm?” For most people, seeing this word may stir up feelings of dread. We’ve been to countless brainstorms that didn’t end up fruitful, so we’re conditioned to believe a brainstorm will end without tangible results. Like building a house, a good brainstorm [...]
Why Halloween is Proof Creativity Can’t Be Bought Goblins, ghouls, and giant bags of candy – Halloween is upon us once again! While this year’s celebrations are going to look a lot different than usual, millions of children and adults alike will still be dressing up as their favorite superheroes, cartoon characters, and movie villains this weekend. And of course, we all know the most important part of creating the perfect Halloween costume…it’s money, right? Wrong! Though money can buy you many things, [...]
“Whether you think you can, or you think you can't – you're right.” – Henry Ford Have you ever been told you couldn’t do something? That you were incapable of achieving a particular goal or dream? Unfortunately, by the time most of us reach adulthood, this has happened more times than we can count. And though deep down we know we shouldn’t pay attention to this negativity, it’s human nature to take it to heart. Meaning that over time, most of us tend to reduce [...]
The world is a different place than it was just a few weeks ago. Coronavirus has touched nearly every country on earth, and for most, has brought life and business to a screeching halt. Not surprisingly, this has created a perpetual state of uneasiness. People are tired. People are scared. And if you spend any time at all watching the news, it seems to be getting worse by the day. Sure, much of the spotlight remains on all the negative effects of the virus around [...]
Think back to your birthday morning as a child… That rush of anticipation as you leap out of bed and run towards the living room, your brain cycling through all the possibilities of what your Mom and Dad may have brought you. And as you turn the corner and catch your first glimpse of the presents in all their glory, what’s the first thing you do? You take inventory: how big are the boxes and which ones should I open first? As far as children are [...]
"I find it touchingly poetic to think that as our technology grows more advanced, we may grow more human." (Diane Ackerman, The Human Age) Remember when robots couldn't walk? I do. Yet, very few of us would be impressed or even scared by a walking robot today, not when we've seen one execute a backflip. Remember when the idea of A.I. face recognition would have overwhelmed most? I do. Yet, now, A.I. can generate deep fakes that are so convincing, we've built entire corners of the internet dedicated [...]
I'll never forget the first time we met. (Like any good Disney story, there always must be a great "Once upon a time" intro, right?) He was a young Senator at the time, and I was lucky enough to give him his first pair of custom Mickey Mouse ears. Little did I know that this interaction would be the first of many wonderful stunts that we would collaborate on. And now, again we are about to add another event to our list! President Barack Obama [...]
Imagine yourself backstage at a theatre. The Production Assistant has just finished clipping on your microphone, and the Stage Manager has given you the one-minute warning. Beyond the curtain, you hear the muffled sounds of the audience taking their seats. Pacing back and forth, you review your opening line over and over in your head. But this rehearsal doesn’t last long. Before you know it, the house lights dim, the stage lights go bright, and you’re given the cue. You walk out, face the crowd, [...]
If I were to approach you with two different seeds and ask you to show me which one is a weed and which one is a flower, how would you know which is which? Do you think you’d be able to tell simply by looking closely at each seed? Of course not! The only way to tell is by planting both seeds and allowing them to grow. Initially, both will break the surface with a tiny sprig of green, and likely look very much the [...]
