A zen perspective on how we think about the future
Halloween is at the same time such a weird and wonderful holiday. In many cultures it’s an excuse to parade self-expression, hidden talents, and hidden personalities. I've long argued the idea that we should have at least 9 Thanksgivings through the year. And in the same vein, perhaps at least as many costume and neighborhood outing holidays. Everyone gets the day off as well.
Today I introduced the Strategic Doing 365 model for strategic planning to a very complex organization where people claimed that they got more strategic movement forward in one day than they did in the past 18 frustrating months of trying. The model makes the difference. We didn't change any of the people, constraints, politics, or resources in this scenario. When people have a better model, great things happen and people can, as we say in Open Space, expect to be surprised.
I was unexpectedly caught by grief reading the copy of eulogy for Steve Jobs delivered by his sister. It is incredibly profound, showing a whole side to the man than his otherwise public brand and persona might suggest. It’s a terribly moving tribute that ends with his final six words. Oh wow. Oh wow. Oh wow. Amazing given the research I have from the happiness study I did this year for the new book. The happiest people on the planet consider the wow of new to be the highest form of joy. Now we get to think about...
Tonight I made one handmade pizza after another with whoever was available, each uniquely adorned with brought toppings. It was a gathering of my health care EMBA students and a great example of how food as shared experience can be a powerful convener. This is the opposite aesthetic to formal dinner parties hosted or catered in ways that create a whole different spirit of engagement. Why does food taste better when many hands go into its soul?
Convening community building at the University of North Texas today where people love the idea of changing conversations from problem and deficiency based to dream and strength based. On this campus of 40,000, there is a palpable and growing sense of possibility. The business model for community is clear and people see that there is more to do together than could be done when people stay isolated and disconnected. It’s good news for campuses everywhere. After all, these are the incubators for the development of...
Jay Bradner in his recent TED talk describes the amazing open source cancer research coming out of the talent rich Boston space. Researchers are sharing formulas, targets, and opportunities to do together what cannot be done in isolation, defensive secrecy or adolescent competition. The implications are huge. The current pharma bottleneck is designed to limit how many cancers can be addressed quickly and affordably. Open source is the basis for great hope.
We have entered the next National election season here in the States, not unlike hunting seasons anywhere. If everyday people and pundits aren't discrediting candidates, they're doing it to each other and in the most ironic cases, to themselves. After we bash them for months, we re supposed to overnight put our collective faith in the one who survives the bushings. Very adolescent on many levels, however that is where the country is, in the adolescence of its experiment in democracy. I would argue that we give at...
My dependable environmental science guru friends remind me that we're not talking about global warming now. It's all about climate change. I was reminded this weekend when the Northeast US became disabled with early and unwelcome whiteouts and blackouts. Gas emissions and other toxic patterns will cause unpredictable perturbations across all scales and climate possibilities. The key here is the unpredictability and the exaggeration of patterns like droughts, floods, hurricanes, and unseasonably warm and cold weather...
It's been over 8 years since I've watched television, except for sports events. After being a regular consumer for years, I thought it might make me more irrelevant and a non-contributor in crucial TV conversations. Can't say it has. I have on the other hand noticed I attend more live events, write more, and feel less urgency to buy crap I actually don't need. Am I missing something?
10-time author and designer with a focus on change in organizations and communities. HappinessChoice.com. Contact Jack at jack(at)happinesschoice(dot)com
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