Talkin' About a Revolution

Last Thursday, I attended a seminar in Chicago hosted by best-selling author Seth Godin (http://www.sethgodin.com/). My ticket was a generous gift from a long time friend and colleague. (Thanks, Carolyn.) The following is Mr. Godin’s teaser for his session:

You don’t need more data. What you might need, though, is a different way of seeing, an immersion in an alternative approach to:
     --creating work that matters
     --spreading ideas
     --interacting with people online

     --approaching the digital world with generosity

     --realizing that small things have more leverage than ever before

I am still processing what I heard in this session. I’m also reading Godin’s latest book, Linchpin. He is introducing very important thoughts about how we are in the midst of a revolution of work, original ideas, and emotional engagement. The call to arms is that in order to be indispensable in today’s business world, individuals need to “invent, lead (regardless of title), connect others, make things happen, and create order out of chaos” (from the dust cover of Linchpin). Otherwise, we are replaceable cogs in the machinery of an old fashioned organization. A scary and challenging perspective, no?

During the seminar, Godin made a comment I am paraphrasing here: “I can’t tell you how many people I am meeting, between the ages of 55 and 60, who have retired early and now say they want to do something creative – something that matters.” My mouth must have dropped open, because I felt he was speaking directly to me (although I won’t be 55 until next month…).

The only regret I have from my corporate career is that I played it a little too safe. I didn’t rock the boat often enough, challenge the status quo, argue with my boss when I knew he was wrong, or fight to implement my wildly creative ideas. This is an overly-harsh self-assessment; but I know I ratcheted back my performance to fit the mold that was in place. The result? I was successful – to a point. I achieved a position of some respect, was well-compensated, and able to retire early. The problem? The work I did rarely fed my soul or made a lasting difference. I left the company before the new wave of Ivy League-educated, private equity “cogs” decided who was dispensable. The writing was on the wall.

Are you indispensable? Have you unleashed your creativity to produce work that matters? Do you spread ideas, take risks, and engage with the digital world with a generous spirit?

Let’s get swept up in the revolution.