Category: Crazy Ideas

Rambling Man

Yeah I know, sometimes I go on a bit, but relax, this time I don’t mean ramble as in ‘get to the point willya!’ I’ve not blogged this week, not until now. Instead I’ve been letting my mind wander in other places. I’ve been spending time with Carole and Keira, doing a bit of cycling and a bit of goofing around, I excel at that.

I’ve been continuing to prep for next week’s launch of Creative Leadership, about which I am simultaneously nervous and excited. Oh, and after lots of form filling and patient waiting I discovered that London Underground are going to let me audition for a busking licence. More on both of these things soon.

Today – I set off on another adventure. I’m heading down to Cornwall to meet Flora and we’re going walking up the North Cornish coast. I can’t wait to get the icy sea breeze in my face and stride out along the coastal path with a good friend. And first we have dinner to enjoy in Padstow this evening.

This life is all about adventures. On the telly last night Eddie Izzard said ‘adventures are the stuff of life’. I agree with him and I encourage you to think likewise, have a most adventurous weekend folks.

Running on Empty

I’ve been awake for 42 hours and my head is buzzing as I type this quick note. Despite United Airline’s best efforts I made it to the Ohio State HR Conference in time to hear the opening speech and give my two talks. I am really tired so no time for much blogging today – I just wanted to share with you how very welcoming everyone has been. And for sure my bed tonight will be a lot more comfy than the last one I tried and failed to sleep (or should that be levitate?) on.

Airport Bed

 

 

BU2B – Brought Up To Believe

I read a great post by Steve Boese earlier this week called ‘On crazy ideas and taking action’. It’s a story about Steve’s pet rock (they’ve been together since 1975, awwww) and how the crazy idea of pet rocks made Gary Dahl a milionaire. It’s a top tale and I encourage you to take a pause and read it now before continuing here.

I hope you enjoyed Steve’s story? Now where were we… ah yes, crazy ideas and taking action. It’s no secret that I’m excited to be off to Ohio in September to speak at their SHRM conference. Rush are on their North American Clockwork Angels tour at the same time, and they pass close by to Ohio a couple of days after SHRM concludes. I’ve already got tickets to see them in London when the tour comes to Europe in 2013, and it might be fun to see them in the States too.

Then an idea forms, a crazy idea. Rush have been together for many years. They’ve seen and heard it all, and they’ve been together and apart and demonstrated a drive to learn and be great at what they do. They are for me a fantastic example of teamwork. And of course it’s not just them – what about everyone else who helps to make a tour like Clockwork Angels happen. I’m confident there will be many people behind the scenes who’ve worked with the band a long time, as well as newcomers. I’d love to learn the story behind the tour.

I dropped fellow Rush fan Kevin Grossman a line and we thought a little more about the crazy idea. Then we took some action. This week we’ve contacted Rush’s management company and asked if we could possibly meet some of the crew, and hey the band too if they have the time, and find out directly from them, what makes a team like Rush tick rock. So far, we’ve had no reply – and with the number of approaches they must get, it’s no surprise. We’ll hang on a few days yet, and give them a little nudge next week. Maybe something will happen, maybe it won’t, and whatever happens I was brought up to believe that if you don’t ask you don’t get.

Is it time to let your crazy idea out too?

The publicity photo used in this blog post was taken by the late Andrew MacNaughtan