Embrace – Don’t Silence – Creativity

Posted on May 25, 2016 by admin

A powerful form of communication, the drawing, has been expressed through the ages. The simplest forms of hieroglyphics and petroglyphs remain thousands of years later on cave walls, in ancient Egyptian tombs, and on rock formations in the American Southwest.

Imagine the surprise and delight of passersby on the streets of New York City’s TriBeCa area seeing modern-day “drawings” adorning the windows of two nondescript office buildings. The Wow Factor? Each image was created from Post-It Notes©.

Office workers from two separate businesses in neighboring buildings started the free expression, which has evolved into a fun, friendly competition. Images like the Pink Panther, Batman, a famous Rolling Stones album cover, and dozens more remain on the windows.

Unfortunately, one of the landlords has issued a warning that all images must come down by the end of this month, stating that all windows must remain clear of any decorations or obstructions. (Isn’t that what blinds or drapes do yet in a less attractive way?)

NBC News with Lester Holt aired this story on Monday, May 23, 2016. It caught my attention and brought back memories. In the mid-1980s, I served as marketing director for a developer in Cleveland’s Historic Warehouse District. To celebrate Preservation Week (held annually in May), we hired local artists to paint art on the windows of one of our vacant buildings to draw attention to our development project. It made the entire block come alive.

What the building owner of the New York City property may not fully appreciate is that this otherwise average brick building is bringing beauty to the street and is making national and international news. That’s something to celebrate, not silence. Follow the news on #postitwars.

What creativity do we silence each day in our workplace, in our community and in our home? We can do a better job of listening to and supporting other people’s innovative ideas for change. Otherwise we will find ourselves staring at the same old blank walls or windows.

Is It Any Wonder, Stevie?

Posted on February 18, 2015 by admin

Is it any wonder that a blind man can show others how to open their eyes and see the world with compassion, joy and love? Acclaimed songwriter, singer and 22-time Grammy Award winner Stevie Wonder was honored recently for his musical genius spanning more than five decades. His messages of acceptance, understanding and love have taught generations to face inequality, injustice and indignity with unified strength and grace.

His honest interpretation of the world as he saw it encouraged people of color to stand up and let their voices be heard. To the audience of privilege and perfection, he exposed them to the reality of life in the city for the poor, the forgotten and the invisible. His music range, as a solo artist, is unparalleled. He wrote openly of indifference. He wrote of political action and justice. He wrote so eloquently of love, birth and renewal. He wrote songs of hope, light and possibilities.

I remember watching “Little Stevie Wonder” perform Fingertips on the Ed Sullivan Show when I was growing up. His passion for the music, his gyrations to the crisp notes flying from his harmonica made me stop and notice. He was just two years older than me, and already a force to be reckoned with. Nothing stopped him from sharing his musical messages with the masses. He remains one of the most beloved artists – and greatest crossover artists – of all time.

My husband, Mark, and I have shared a love of Stevie Wonder’s music over the decades of our relationship. To this day, Ribbon in the Sky remains my all-time favorite. Mark’s favorite (and he requests it at every event we attend that has a DJ) is Superstition. When we finished watching the CBS-TV broadcast on Monday night, I turned to Mark and said, “We need to play Stevie Wonder’s music more often!” He nodded in agreement.

There are so many lessons we can learn from Stevie Wonder. For me, the greatest lesson he has demonstrated: Lead by example. He is a man who has remained authentic throughout his entire life. He has shared his vision of a peaceful planet with millions of people around the world. He remains an inspiration to us all and a cherished national – and international – treasure. Rock on, Stevie!

Be an Experience Creator

Posted on April 9, 2014 by admin

Of the many roles that you play in your life, did you know that you can also play the role of Experience Creator? What is an Experience Creator, you ask? Let me create two scenarios for you. Imagine this:

Scenario One: You arrive at the office with your espresso latte in one hand and briefcase in the other. You want to get to your desk quickly so you can check to see if the meeting time you requested with the Regional Vice President is a go. You have worked really hard on this project and are eager to share your thoughts with the RVP. All you can think about is your ideas. You are focused on those ideas, almost obsessed about them. You can’t get them out of your head. As you breeze into the office, so focused, and so determined to get to your desk, you don’t hear it, you don’t see it and you don’t experience it: The cheerful “Good morning!” from your department assistant. In fact, every morning you are so focused on what you are thinking that you miss her hellos. That simple “Good morning” that she shares with you every day is her way of being an Experience Creator. An Experience Creator creates a positive, even memorable, experience for other people.

What is the result of your not acknowledging the assistant’s greeting every morning? She thinks you don’t like her. In fact, she shares with one of your co-workers that she thinks you don’t like her. “She adores you,” your co-worker replies. Your co-worker decides to share this important piece of information with you because she thinks it’s something you need to know. She’s right. You are so appreciative that she shared this information with you that you vow to make a change the next day.

Scenario Two: You arrive at the office with your usual espresso latte in one hand and briefcase in the other. You pause before you enter the building. You take a deep breath and consciously feel the air entering your body. As you walk, you are aware of everything around you. As you enter your department, you make it a point to stop at your department administrative assistant’s desk, smile and say, “Good morning, Haley!” Now you are the Experience Creator.

Think about the many people who you come in contact with on a daily basis. Customers. Co-workers. Friends. What kind of experience you are creating for them? Is it positive or negative? Are you friendly or guarded? When you remind yourself that you are an Experience Creator, it will completely change how you see others and ultimately how you see yourself. When you create a positive experience for others, it positions you as a professional who cares.

Practice saying this new mantra each day: “I am an Experience Creator!”