What Inspires Me: Flawed People and Underdogs

From time to time I will be reposting articles that I like because it reflects Canoe Images' philosophy. Here's the first of many. Enjoy.
___________________

What Inspires Me: Flawed People and Underdogs

By: Shane Snow, Chief Creative Officer of Contently. He writes about media and technology for Wired, Fast Company, Ad Age, and more.

I don't like Superman. He can't lose. Whenever I'm watching a Superman movie all I can think about is He's invincible. I'm not worried and I'm not impressed when he inevitably wins. To me, that's not inspiring. 

The fact that you're able to read this — and I'm able to write it — on a computer with Internet means we've all hit humanity's jackpot in some regard. We're literate. We live in a time where technology has improved the quality of life dramatically over any other period in history. And we can afford to instantly access the greatest trove of information that ever was.

At a high level, we're all outrageously lucky. But despite our great fortune, we're all unlucky at times. We've all got problems.

Personally, I'm inspired by people who overcome bad fortune or circumstance to fulfill their dreams. Professionally, I'm inspired by people and businesses that do incredible things despite glaring flaws or environmental disadvantages. These people remind me that, despite the things I complain about (setbacks, bills, stress, whatever) and what I consider personal setbacks (growing up relatively poor in a small town, my wife becoming mentally ill, being 5'9" not 6'2" (as superficial as that sounds), infuriating neuroses, etc.), someone else has had things worse and still became massively successful. That's why I like flawed people and underdogs. They can't just work hard to overcome their obstacles, they have to work hard and smart. And that leads to amazing things.

None of us are Superman, and that's ok. Batman had his demons, and he was mortal. And he became awesome. Here are some of my favorite flawed people and underdogs who inspire me in my work as a journalist and entrepreneur:

   

                                                                   

                         

If you want to be inspired that you can overcome your problems, just look at this list of incredible people who have Major Depressive Disorder.

Say what you like about their personal lives or politics or mistakes, people like the above remind me that when life gives you lemons, you can stuff them in your pockets (with help, if necessary), get back out there, and change the world.

What flawed people or underdogs inspire you?

What helps you overcome your setbacks?

Leadership and Change

One of the key characteristics of effective leaders is that they can lead teams and individuals through change successfully.

Change is inescapable; it is increasing in its rate and complexity.  Consider the following points:

•  More new information will be generated this year than in the previous 5000
• A weeks reading from ‘The Australian’ will contain more information than a person would come across in their lifetime in the 1800s
•  The first commercial text message was sent in 1992, in 2012 the numbers of texts sent every day exceeds the total population of the planet
• The ten most in demand jobs in 2012 did not exist in 2004
•  This year there will be 31 billion Google searches per month, in 2006 it was 2.7 billion
•  Today’s students will have 10-14 jobs by the age of 38
•  Experts predict that by 2049 a computer will be built that will surpass the computational abilities of the entire human species 

Research has indicated that when change projects fail, they often do so because whilst plenty of time was spent on planning to transition the systems, processes and procedures, not enough attention was paid to the people element of the change process.

Effective leaders understand that whilst people respond to change in different ways at different times, these responses are natural and predictable.  The obvious advantage in knowing this is that both the actual change process and people’s response to the change can be planned for and executed strategically, sensitively and effectively leading to a much more successful change outcome and an engaged workforce.

The Relationship Between Feedback and Increasing Leadership Effectiveness

Looking through others’ eyes provides critical insights into how people interpret the things you do and say.  You can combine these insights with what you already know about yourself to more accurately assess your strengths as well as areas in which you may want to improve.

A properly constructed and delivered 360 degree feedback process can provide you with invaluable information about how others’ observe your behavior in contrast to what you are thinking you are doing.

Canoe Images has developed a program called ‘Peak Leadership’ that combines the powerful insights gained from a formal 360 degree feedback process with the transformational outcomes provided by experiential learning. The program is structured around a 360 degree feedback process using the highly regarded Human Synergistics^® Life Styles Inventory^TM (LSI) which participants complete electronically prior to the program.  The LSI will be debriefed throughout the program as participants take on various roles during the program. This provides participants with feedback that is immediate, empirical and constructive that can be instantly used in subsequent missions and in life post program.

Peak Leadership is a five day experiential leadership program.  The program provides opportunities for participants to learn and apply leadership skills through a series of challenging missions in the majestic Grampians National Park (Gariwerd) located in Western Victoria, Australia.

Peak Leadership can be delivered for leaders from one organisation or participants can expand their networks by joining a group of participants from a number of organisations.

We love these people.

Two program dates have been set for 2013. May 13 to 17 is booked. Limited places available Sep. 30 to Oct. 4. Only 6 nominations will be accepted. If you would like to join or require more information please contact Stan.

When there is no Leadership.

I'm not sure if this is a true story or not but on Thursday, 24th January 2002, Derek Guille broadcast this story on his afternoon program on ABC radio. Regardless I'm sure we have all suffered the frustration and hopelessness of dealing with an organisation who delegates no responsibility or leadership to those you have to deal with.    

In March 1999 a man living in Kandos (near Mudgee in NSW, Australia) received a bill for his as yet unused gas line stating that he owed $0.00. He ignored it and threw it away. In April he received another bill and threw that one away too. The following month the gas company sent him a very nasty note stating that they were going to cancel his gas line if he didn't send them $0..00 by return mail. He called them, talked to them, and they said it was a computer error and they would take care of it. 

The following month he decided that it was about time that he tried out the troublesome gas line figuring that if there was usage on the account it would put an end to this ridiculous predicament. However, when he went to use the gas, it had been cut off. He called the gas company who apologised for the computer error once again and said that they would take care of it. The next day he got a bill for $0.00 stating that payment was now overdue.                   

Assuming that having spoken to them the previous day the latest bill was yet another mistake, he ignored it, trusting that the company would be as good as their word and sort the problem out. The next month he got a bill for $0.00. This bill also stated that he had 10 days to pay his account or the company would have to take steps to recover the debt.

Finally, giving in, he thought he would beat the gas company at their own game and mailed them a cheque for $0.00. The computer duly processed his account and returned a statement to the effect that he now owed the gas company nothing at all. 

A week later, the manager of the Mudgee branch of the Westpac Banking Corporation called our hapless friend and asked him what he was doing writing cheque for $0.00. After a lengthy explanation the bank manager replied that the $0.00 cheque had caused their cheque processing software to fail. The bank could therefore not process ANY cheques they had received from ANY of their customers that day because the cheque for $0.00 had caused the computer to crash.

The following month the man received a letter from the gas company claiming that his cheque had bounced and that he now owed them $0.00 and unless he sent a cheque by return mail they would take immediate steps to recover the debt. 

At this point, the man decided to file a debt harassment claim against the gas company. It took him nearly two hours to convince the clerks at the local courthouse that he was not joking. They subsequently helped him in the drafting of statements which were considered substantive evidence of the aggravation and difficulties he had been forced to endure during this debacle. The matter was heard in the Magistrate's Court in Mudgee and the outcome was this:

The gas company was ordered to:
[1] Immediately rectify their computerised accounts system or Show Cause, within 10 days, why the matter should not be referred to a higher Court for consideration under Company Law. 

[2] Pay the bank dishonour fees incurred by the man.
[3] Pay the bank dishonour fees incurred by all the Westpac clients whose cheques had been bounced on the day our friend's had been processed.
[4] Pay the claimant's court costs.
[5] Pay the claimant a total of $1500 per month for the 5 month period March to July inclusive as compensation for the aggravation they had caused their client to suffer."

And all this over $0.00. 

This story can also be viewed on the ABC website. 

Let us all know what you think and do you have some idea on how to clean up the gene pool.

Young People

It never ceases to amaze and inspire me how young people who, when given the opportunity will take on the challenge, take control, solve problems and display great creativity and leadership.

Abby Sunderland had her dream cut short after being knocked down several times in very heavy seas off the coast of WA. Very unfortunate for the young lady but when the mast is snapped from your boat the adventure is over. Her attempt to sail solo around the world was done. Now we have the bean counters and snivelers lining up to inform us all of the recovery costs and pointing an accusing finger at people (parents coaches and supporters who in their opinion) who should never have let this happen.

It seems setting up drug and rehabilitation clinics across the nation for people who are unable to get their own lives together without mind altering substances is ok.“That’s OK”. Spending millions of taxpayer’s dollars cleaning up after misfits, who deface other people’s property with graffiti because they haven’t the intellect to channel their talent into something positive or legal, “That’s OK”. And what will the cost to the public be after a gang of morons ran rampant through a train recently stabbing, glassing and beating train travelers who simply wanted to get home. They will claim “we have nothing else to do” which of cause is just an excuse for people who can’t think for themselves.

So I for one admire those young people who want to challenge themselves in a positive way and know from experience that we have lots of young people ready to take on the challenge. We as a community shouldn't be afraid to provide the resources. I’m sure it would be a worthwhile investment. It may even reduce expenditure on the above mentioned.

As for the sniveling negative people who barely seem to have the courage to glance out the window of their office without first putting together a risk analysis or management plan, you people need to step back out of the way so our young people don’t trip over the obstacles you push out in front of them. 

I congratulate and admire Abby Sunderland on her attempt to sail around the world, Jessica Watson on her epic voyage on the Pink Lady and Jesse Martin for his great sailing story. Then just recently the 13 yr old boy Jordan Romero climbed Mt Everest and bad luck to the 12 yr old Michelito a young Mexican matador who got tossed by the bull. I hope you’re ready to try again soon young man.

All of these young people are our heroes. They are our leaders by example who inspire others  to take on the challenge and make our community a better place to live in. Even more heroic are their parents. I know there are lots more young people out there ready to have a crack so let’s support their effort.

This coming Dec I will get to meet 22 more budding young leaders who are just bursting to inspire us all. The Voyage of Discovery or CI Boundless is a 4 day program for 15 to 18 yr olds and takes place in Nth West Victoria and Central Highlands Victoria each year. 

If you have an interest in the personal development of young people check our website