Incomplete versus Bad

Perhaps our bad ideas aren't bad at all. Maybe they're just incomplete. The same could be said for mistakes. A bad mistake could lead to a remarkable improvement...if it's worked. Left alone, poor ideas, mistakes and even bad luck often end up being used as reasons for not moving forward...they or we aren't good enough.

The first lunar module wasn't good enough. Neither was the first telephone or bookbinding. Most firsts aren't...they're precursors, drafts, of what comes next. Not good enough might lead to great if we see it as part of the process instead of the final thing. Possibility demands this sort of thinking. It also demands showing up, again and again, especially when it's not good enough.

Most ideas are never complete. And, it's precisely why we shouldn't give up on the bad ones.

Change the Normal

We are experiencing tremendous change and turbulence in both what we do as well as how we do it. Our normal way of doing things is being turned upside down and inside out. And it’s almost certain the way we approached our work two weeks ago won’t return. Normal is being redefined.

The challenge then is what to do with it. What can we do with the opportunities presented, albeit unplanned and uncomfortable. One choice is to ride it out and see what happens. Let others determine the new path, follow along and hope to fit in. The other path is to help define it. But this takes more work and going deeper into the unknown. This means going through ten or fifty bad ideas to get to a successful one we can enroll others in. It means we need to find new ways of collaborating, engaging and serving. We need to embrace new technology and processes to get things done. We need to make a new normal. And all of this takes risk and the desire and stamina to learn something new. It requires seeking discomfort not avoiding it, knowing the possibilities of a better culture, a better way of work and a more comfortable place are worth the effort. This path demands leadership. Hopefully we choose it.

We’re not pioneers in this space. It’s happened before. The Great Depression, world wars, plagues, volcanic eruptions…they push us into a new direction…and we create a new normal. So, here we are again…time to get busy.