Change is required, but what kind of change is best?
(This is the Business Journal companion post for coming to grips with real change inside your company)
Where would we – and Apple Inc. – be today if Steve Jobs had never:
- Taken a calligraphy class at Reed College?
- Traveled to India in his early 20s, gaining exposure to Zen Buddhism?
- Taken now legendary long walks with close friends - people he could bounce ideas off of and have challenge him?
- Been so darn curious and disruptive, constantly seeking external input and outside forces that helped shape his innovative thinking?
The answer is obvious: We’d be in a world of hurt.
The best type of change is innovation. How are you inviting the probability of innovation into your personal discussion every single day? Are you associating primarily with innovative people? Do they think “revolution” versus “evolution.” Similarly, do you avoid – like the plague – narrow minded simpletons … the status quo crowd?
How many great, progressive books do you read each month to fuel your innovative hunger? How are you challenging the same-old, same-old? Which leaders and companies are listed in your Google Alerts?
There are many characteristics to love about Steve Jobs, and some to loathe. However, what made him – and Apple – great was his love for change. For learning. His tremendous desire to “Think Differently.”
Those of you who are card-carrying members of The Revenution know all too well that sameness is the most destructive, epidemic business disease present within today’s businesses. Breaking free requires change – a 100% re-wiring for senior executives to balance the left-brain thinking with the right – and hiring creative people.
Righties are winning this revenue revolution. How are you doing?
