To move things — ideas, programs, even people — you need to put something out there!
It’s not always easy and it’s never 100% perfect but the essence of advancing requires a shift forward from the status quo.
After an initial comprehensive briefing, we’ll typically provide the client with a memo outlining in broad detail a series of concepts— each with underlying premise, a headline, treatment and visual inspo. We’ll hope to draw out visceral reactions: “I love, love, love this but I hate that!”
Thus begins an iterative process where, together, we refine and improve one, two or three of the initial ideas and crystallize on one sparkling, brilliant idea and execution! It’s not compromise or committee but true collaboration. It’s cathartic, productive and incredibly efficient but the point is that it wouldn’t kick off or move forward if someone didn’t put something out there!
Likewise in so many other areas of business, management and life! You have to take a bet on that new employee, new program or new client if you want to move forward. It’s not easy moving out of your comfort zone. It can be expensive and risky; you become a lightning rod and sometimes you even feel like a fool. But — unless you’re incredibly lucky — if you don’t put something out there you’re never going to advance in a meaningful way.
Advancing in a meaningful way requires more than just switching from one position to a similar but different position; not submitting three versions of the same idea; not doing the same thing year on year but instead challenging yourself in uncomfortable ways.
Sometimes — typically in Springtime after the madness of Q1, tradeshows, mountain-time with family — I get an itch to do something on the business or personal side, to put something meaningful out there, attack a goal and make a difference.
I am feeling that energy now and I like it!
