Author: Carl Setzer

Nothing great ever happened by rigidly adhering to the status quo.

Earlier this week, I heard the classic Springsteen tune, “Glory Days”. This song always makes me think. It just seems so very sad. People stuck in the past, viewing their youthful achievements as the hallmarks of their lives. I can’t imagine a more miserable existence.

This song has always driven me to keep growing, developing, to always make this year my best year ever. And look to an even better future. Never, ever, do I want to be sitting lamenting the “old days”, when life was good. I choose to look forward, to keep doing new and challenging things. To grow! Choices are powerful. Come join me.

I’ve been reviewing leadership and innovation. I see fear and creativity are inversely proportional. Creativity is critical for innovation.

This reminded me of a Steven Covey story (from “7 Habits…”). A group of execs, are asked how to best motivate their staff. One quipped “hand grenades”. I’m sure it’s meant to be clever. However, that really captured a mind-set I’ve seen in stifling, bureaucratic environments. Fear, autocracy and micromanagement are the dominate tools. That’s the realm of uber-short term thinking, and the antithesis of innovation culture. You can get mindless efficiency: no more. You’ll get no creativity, no innovation, thus no agility. One can’t bully your way into a culture of innovation and leadership.