Rockstars, me and you, business for everyone, Winnie the Pooh.

I didn’t sleep well last night. Something was on my mind. I started to read quotes by other people. Some are famous, some aren’t but all are worth reading regardless of whether you agree with them or not, much like this blog really - at least that's the hope.
I stumbled across this quote:

“Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”

That was a quote attributed to Apple Inc. Was it written by Steve Jobs or by someone perhaps influenced by him? I don’t know and, quite honestly, I don’t intend to try and find out because that's not what matters - it's what the quote says that does.

Such quotes can strike fear into the hearts of some people. They will talk of potential loose canons, contrive against those who try and innovate for fear of being outshone, manipulate others in the work place to have concerns about those who dare to be creative but are they right do that? Whoever made the above quote from Apple clearly doesn’t think so.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not an advocate of crazy ideas that can threaten a business. Business aside there are peoples lives, livelihoods families that all rely on any business that employs them but upsetting the status quo? Hands up – guilty as charged – I’m a fan of people that do that in a measured way, with the right heart, with the hope that it will benefit the business they work for, its customers and colleagues. Always know though that if you do this you will always make some people nervous as hell.

Nonetheless, upset the apple cart. No apples need get bruised and there is no need to hang the person that gave the apple cart a bump.

Instead why not embrace those people, encourage colleagues to first understand the thinking behind the bump but if you can’t resist then at least ask all colleagues – get a wider view. Don’t try and squeeze out of people negativity about the bumper because you feel threatened – it’s disingenuous and can confuse young colleagues especially. Another quote “We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.”

Instead inspire colleagues – encourage rock stars in your work place – you’ll find they are the biggest team players you’ve ever known. They think outside themselves, their immediate team, their section of your business.

They are not a threat to you, not the loose cannons – trust them, don’t try and marginalise them, or cause problems for them, and you’ll find they have the biggest hearts and exciting minds. They won’t always get it right but when they do – boy oh boy!!!

I’m not sure if I’ve heard the term ‘rock stars in your workplace’ somewhere else. Apologies if I’ve stolen your notion but no matter as I believe in it. Encourage them, let them fly, let them make mistakes, let them show you what they can do, let them shine. If they do something great and you can’t think of greatness yourself then bask in the reflected glory. Nothing wrong in that as, if you have encouraged them, then you are just as part of the great ideas as they are – if you don’t you’ll ruin the opportunities for your colleagues, customers and the business you work for.

Dare to do something different today. Make a difference.

And now some light reading………….
“If you judge people, you have no time to love them” – Mother Teresa

“Logic will get you from A to Z; imagination will get you everywhere” – Albert Einstein

“Listen to the mustn’ts, child. Listen to the don’ts. Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me….Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.” Silverstein

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind.
“Pooh?” he whispered.
“Nothing said,” said Piglet, taking Pooh’s hand. “I just wanted to be sure of you.” – A.A. Milne



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