Extreme Entrepreneur.

I love the fact that big organizations ask me to speak to their people about innovation and leadership. This is where I came from. I love sharing the journey, and creating the future. Daring to imagine what could be possible if only we let ourselves dream.

I drive my team spare, I want to do before I think. I get into trouble regularly for being a bull at a gate, impatient, passionate – and often foot in mouth.

This poem touched me... it reminded me that business is just a game – and to ask myself 'Did I have fun today?'. If the answer is no – what am I going to do about it?

I share with permission from the author - if you want more go to TheBigmoo.com

They Say I'm Extreme

They say 'I'm extreme'.
I say 'I'm a realist'.

They say 'I demand too much'.
I say 'they accept mediocrity and continuous improvement too readily'.

They say, 'We can't handle this much change'.
I say 'Your job and career are in jeopardy; what other options do you have?'

They say, 'what's wrong with a 'good product'?'
I say 'Wal-mart or China or both are about to eat your lunch. Why can't you provide instead a fabulous experience?'

They say 'Take a deep breath, be calm.'
I say 'Tell it to Wal-Mart. Tell it to China. Tell it to India. Tell it to Dell. Tell it to Microsoft.'

They say 'the Web is a useful tool'.
I say 'the Web changes everything - Now'.

They say, 'we need an initiative'.
I say 'We need a dream, and dreamers'.

They say 'great design is 'nice'.'
I say 'great design is necessary'.

They say 'Effective governance is important'.
I say 'bold, brash boards that are representative of the market, served more than a token woman or two and an empty seat for the 'forthcoming Hispanic' – are an imperative – Now'.

They say 'Plan it'.
I say 'Do it'.



They say 'We need more steady, loyal employees'.
I say 'We need more 'freaks' who routinely tell those in charge to take a flying leap... before it's too late'.

They say 'We need Good People'.
I say 'We need Quirky Talent'.

They say 'We like people who, with steely determination say, 'I can make it better''.
I say 'I love people who, with a certain maniacal gleam in their eye, perhaps even a giggle, say, I can turn the world upside down. Watch me!'.

They say 'Sure, we need change'.
I say 'We need revolution now'.

They say 'Fast Follower'.
I say 'Battered and Bruised leader'.

They say 'Conglomerate and Imitate!'
I say 'Create and Innovate!'

They say 'Market Share'.
I say 'Market Creation'.

They say 'Improve and Maintain'.
I say 'Destroy and Re-imagine'.

They say 'Normal'.
I say 'Weird'.

They say 'Happy Balance'.
I say 'Creative Tension'.

They say 'they favour a team that works and lives in harmony'.
I say 'Give me a raucous brawl among the most creative people imaginable'.

They say 'Peace, brother'.
I say 'Bruise my feelings. Flatten my ego, Save my job'.

They say 'Basic black'.
I say 'Technicolour rules!'

They say 'We need happy customers'.
I say 'Give me pushy, needy, nasty , provocative customers'.

They say 'We seek Harvard MBAs'.
I say 'I seek certificate-free PhDs from the School of Hard Knocks'.

They say 'they want recruits with 'spotless records''.
I say 'The spots are what matter most'.

They say 'Integrity is important'.
I say 'Tell the unvarnished truth all the time...or take a hike'.

They say 'diversity is a 'good thing'.
I say 'diversity is a breath of fresh, creative air – absolutely necessary for economic salvation in perilous times'.

They say 'it's 'daunting.'
I say 'it's a hoot'.

They say 'Zero defects'.
I say 'A day without a screw up or two is a day pissed away'.

They say 'Think about it'.
I say 'Try it'.

They say 'Plan it'.
I say 'Test it'.

They say 'Radical change takes a decade'.
I say 'Radical change takes a minute'.

They say 'Times are changing'.
I say 'Everything has already changed. Tomorrow is the first day of your revolution...or you're toast'.

They say 'We can't all be revolutionaries'.
I say 'Why not?'

They say 'We can't all be a brand'.
I say 'Why not?'

They say this is just a rant.
I say this is just reality.

Am I hard to work with?