Author: whatifconcepts

Empowering those that inspire so they can excel at the work that matters.

The Mean One Who We Love

When we push the boundaries far to the edges of the creative spectrum we are remarkable, even years later.  Dr. Seuss would have been 109 today.  His work continues to be a high watermark for young readers and adults who thrive on the simple philosophical prose of a his fantasy world.  Had Dr. Seus trended towards normal, his impact would have been minimized.  Instead we recognize his iconic characters and celebrate his artistry which is passed among generations.   

Debate

I spotted this sign at a cross-country ski center in McCall, Idaho yesterday.  Snowbikes and cross-country skiers are trying to to co-exist on groomed trails. I imagine they may repeat the path travelled by snowboarders and alpine skiers in the 90’s where snowboards were banned at many of the most popular ski areas until the sport started to cross-over to existing pass holders.  The early adopters work relentlessly to find a few unrestricted corners where they can practice their craft before it becomes accepted.  The “no bike” sign is easy way to maintain status quo.  However most cross-country ski centers struggle to serve a small tribe of dedicated skiers, snowbikes may offer an innovative way to build a passionate following and rejuvenate. 


Humanity in Action

“When students are given permission to be their best selves, they take it, just as you and I would like to do,” Seth Godin’s blog post on bullying.

Credit

Bullying is a hot topic, one many of us have experiences personally or been in its proximity   We see it daily to some degree and mostly allow it to proceed without comment.  If we see a baby with a lit cigaret in its mouth we take action.  Tabaco and young lungs are not compatible.  The same with an intoxicated driver fumbling with their keys trying to get into a vehicle to drive home.  Most of us act by helping the driver make a better choice.  So why do we circumnavigate bullying without a comment? I suggest change comes not from the hierarchy but from those who are members of the tribe.  If we want standardized testing reform in education, dramatic change will not come from the educational leaders but rather the students.  Standardized test only work when the students obediently take the test.  If a critical mass of students opt out of the SAT process, then universities and those who rely on test scores as the ultimate metric would be forced to consider new forms of assessment.  Perhaps genuine and creative ones like a portfolio of student’s selected work where their talents are genuinely revealed.

As parents, educators, trustees, and community members we have failed to build a culture that promotes respect.  True change may be left to the students.  They are the risk-takers, the innovators, and the remarkable few who say aloud what many have thought but dared not risk in a public setting.  It is time we give the students the stage and allow them to design the expectations of respect in action.  Our greatest gift to the bullying culture may be to step aside an allow those that have endured its heavy weight to demonstrate humanity in action.


Inspired

What inspires you?  Even if you only catch a glimpse?  What is that place that brings your essential beliefs forward?  How often do you visit this place?  How far from your best do you drift between visits?  For each of us, we have a touchstone that provides clarity and connects us back to our core beliefs.  Why do we allow ourselves to drift when we are not in the presence of greatness?  The quote by Rene Daumal, “what is above knows what is below, but what is below does not know what is above,” implores us to ascend.  Summit moments regain our highest purpose and much is revealed.

Hostage


Why engage philanthropically with causes that hold their programming hostage and offer small trinkets as rewards for making a gift?  The premise of the disruption fundraising technique is to annoy people enough that they take action.  It is akin to the child pulling at their parents pant leg and chanting, ‘mom, mom, mom…’  The conclusion available to the audience is that the cause can think of no more inspirational way to connect with its followers than to aggressively panhandel.

Is the disruption model reflective of a relationship built on trust and loyalty or manipulation and transactional interest?