Inspiration

Most people fall into one of two categories. They are either more prone to wait for instructions. Or, they choose to initiate and inspire. Waiting for a road map is easier and seems safer. Unfortunately, it also leaves you in an unenviable position...being indistinguishable. And as a commodity your value is determined by someone else, instead of you. On the other hand, taking a chance by executing an unproven idea or stepping up to solve an interesting problem is tough...and a bit scary. But, that’s leadership. And that’s what separates you from the pack...and creates tremendous value. 

The world has way more followers than we need, leaving plenty of room for those who choose to inspire. I hope you do.

Choosing

There’s been a lot of riffing and ranting about Facebook’s recent IPO announcement, particularly how wealthy Zuckerberg and key FB execs will become when the company finally goes public. You hear things like “boy, I wish I would have done that.” My response is, “why didn’t you?”

The first rule of becoming an expert, starting a company, executing a great idea, becoming a billionaire, etc., is to choose to do it. Way too often, however, we simply choose not to.

The second rule is to choose remarkable. Choose a path that departs from average, that ends in a place that people will talk about. Don’t settle.

The third rule is to choose to immerse yourself with people who are aligned with you in your pursuits. Find others who make similar choices...people who act like you do.

The last rule and probably the most important is to not make the wrong choice...don’t choose not to do something. Instead, please go get started.

Resumes

If you insist on showing me a resume, please dispense with the traditional format and go with something more meaningful. Instead of the "objective" tell me your dream. Listing experience is fine, but how about adding your core values. Your competency isn't as important to me as what you stand for, what your passionate about and how you live your life. If we're well aligned in those areas, we can overcome competency deficiencies. If not, it's probably a losing battle for both of us.

The Importance of Ecosystems

Taking a chapter out of Apple's fully integrated "system", the others (Google, Facebook, Amazon, etc.) are now in a full throttle war to get you to buy-in to their ecosystem. It's a simple formula...how much of your on-line experience stays in one portal? In order to secure more of your attention (translates into sales), each of these organizations must build both physical and on-line systems to make you feel completely comfortable. It needs to appeal to your tastes and be really, really simple and intuitive...a la Apple. Google isn't adding YouTube movies to sell movies per se. It's another reason for you to stay at home on the Google ecosystem. Why go to Netflix?

Kindle Fire, Nook, iPad...designed to keep you in the system.

Not so long ago, the measuring stick was which site you had your browser home page set to. Now, it's which ecosystem do you spend most of your time in.

Changing the World

Remarkable work changes things. And you can't get there without people who are willing to risk being labeled creative, daring or even crazy. More likely, these are people who are willing to be inspired, to be a part of something bigger than themselves. The key then is to steer clear of the cogs, people afraid to contribute anything more than the required 8 hours.

If everyone on your team doesn't subscribe to the idea that changing the world is important, even in some small yet important way, I'd start changing the team.