| Inspiring Workplaces |
ISSUE 922 - May 25, 2022 |
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Keeping a Spirit of Innovation Alive |
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If the pace of change outside your company exceeds the pace of change on the inside, it's just a matter of time before you're going to be in serious trouble, which is one of the many reasons why ideas are the currency of success. I've got three lessons for you on this very topic (which is great, because it would be
rather silly if I presented lessons for a different topic):
- There's often nothing riskier than taking no risks at all. Status quo thinking has led to the failure of too many successful companies to count. Lesson #1: You need to keep embracing change no matter how successful you are. Keep asking provocative questions: "How
can we become the company that would put us out of business?"
- The first Marvel superhero movie made was Ironman, which was not the choice marvel executives would have made. So why did Ironman win the day? Marvel wanted to leverage lucrative product tie-ins, so they were smart enough to consult with some outside experts, namely the kids who would buy their toys. When they asked children which toy character they would most want to play with, Ironman, much to the
surprise of Marvel executives, won by a landslide. Lesson #2: Get outside your bubble and ask your clients what they want and what they need!
- The innovative design company IDEO embraces a philosophy that it's easier to reign in wildly absurd ideas than it is to make a cautious idea more interesting. Lesson #3: You need to create psychological safety in your meetings (and, well, everywhere else) for employees to share outrageous ideas without prematurely squashing them. Dream big!
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Mike's Fun at Work Tip |
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Today is Nerd/Geek Pride Day, so why not plan a Nerd-Themed virtual meeting or Nerd Day sometime for the month of June? You can offer up a prize for the best nerd costume, hold a "nerd-off" where people compete to proudly own the title of being your team's biggest nerd, or hold a nerd trivia contest.
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Quote of the Week |
“Creativity is a wild mind and a disciplined eye.”
Dorothy Parker |
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Funny Business |
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June - yes, official Accordion Awareness Month - is lurking right around the corner. The June theme days are posted on the website, including such notables as:
June 1: Say Something Nice Day
June 2: Leave the Office Early Day
June 4: World Hug Your Cat Day
June 6: Thank God It's Monday!
June 11: World Bike Naked Day
June 16: Recess at Work Day
June 17: Take Back the Lunch Break Day
June 19: World Sauntering Day
June 20: Hike with a Geek Day
June 21: World Music Day
June 22: Stupid Guy Thing Day
June 23: Pink Flamingo Lawn Ornament Day
June 27: Celebrate Joy Day
June 28: INTERNATIONAL CAPS LOCKS DAY
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Wanted: Audiences in Need of Inspiration! Respond to this email to find out how Michael can help inspire your team with an idea-packed, humor-filled presentations!
“Your talk really hit the mark! After seeing the reaction, our president felt it was important for you to come to our head office and address all our employees.” Kathy Hammond, Conference Planner, The CUMIS Group Limited
Inspiring Workplaces YouTube Channel: One of the key drivers of engagement at work is passion: The Power of Passion in the Workplace
(4 minutes)
The Power of Purpose
I'll be speaking with the amazing Lori Power from MP Benefits Inc. tomorrow (May 26) about the Power of Purpose in the Workplace. To book your free seat hop on over to The Power of Purpose
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