Conversation > looking good and creativity/risk. are they mutually exclusive
to qualify for a chance to "get ahead" or move to the next level, one must often boldly display one's accomplishments to even be allowed in the door. an image, a snapshot of oneself is created. a shiny, impressive, "i kick ass at all levels" snapshot. so begins the paradox. creation is a messy, imperfect process. that same messy, imperfect process which created the impressive picture that got you the new opportunity. ...but now there are people watching, expecting, and often not understanding, or simply forgetting that it takes shit to grow pretty flowers. stinky, dirty, icky shit to really make the best flowers. we're in a hurry everywhere in this culture. in a hurry to look good, to produce, to prove ourselves, to make sure we're not "making a mistake". can we slow down and take the time it takes, whatever that looks like, trusting our own instincts? can we sit in the stinky stuff and trust that we've selected our people well and that it will all come together? can we each give ourselves that grace, convince our internal "board of directors" to shut up, sit back and trust us? how do we arm ourselves against doubt and fear? not just our own, but cultural doubt, fear and even jealousy. the challenge is to become a slightly reckless flashlight, risking one's reputation for the sake of true growth. the challenge is to change our culture and that begins with each of us daring to stink in front of people without losing faith in ourselves and each other. good luck. see you on the other side.
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to qualify for a chance to "get ahead" or move to the next level, one must often boldly display one's accomplishments to even be allowed in the door. an image, a snapshot of oneself is created. a shiny, impressive, "i kick ass at all levels" snapshot.
so begins the paradox. creation is a messy, imperfect process. that same messy, imperfect process which created the impressive picture that got you the new opportunity. ...but now there are people watching, expecting, and often not understanding, or simply forgetting that it takes shit to grow pretty flowers. stinky, dirty, icky shit to really make the best flowers.
we're in a hurry everywhere in this culture. in a hurry to look good, to produce, to prove ourselves, to make sure we're not "making a mistake".
can we slow down and take the time it takes, whatever that looks like, trusting our own instincts? can we sit in the stinky stuff and trust that we've selected our people well and that it will all come together? can we each give ourselves that grace, convince our internal "board of directors" to shut up, sit back and trust us?
how do we arm ourselves against doubt and fear? not just our own, but cultural doubt, fear and even jealousy. the challenge is to become a slightly reckless flashlight, risking one's reputation for the sake of true growth. the challenge is to change our culture and that begins with each of us daring to stink in front of people without losing faith in ourselves and each other.
good luck.
see you on the other side.