Remember the $20,000 Pyramid. I love that show. I especially loved the final round where the celebrity gave the contestant hints about the “subject” while the clock ticked down. OK, so let’s try it. Ready…the square flips over and the hints that come your way are:
Your favorite restaurant.
A surgeon who treats you like a human being.
A Pixar movie.
A jaunt through an Apple store.
A problem solved at a Nordstrom department store
A day at Disney (well unless you have tired kids)
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And you say: Things related to having a great expereince. DING.
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A lot is made about leaders and ideas. Great leaders have great ideas–ideas that can transform the world. There is merit to this idea, of course. Over time though, this good idea about good ideas has become overly theoretical–less grounded in experience and day to day realities. We brainstorm, “think grey,” create scenarios and talk about the future. All good.
Nothing though is better than expereincing the idea.
Leaders talk about the type of culture they want in their organization. They speak of values they desire employees to express at work. They talk about “where we need to go next.” And on it goes. Yet, a lot of this talk is done is circles around fake veneer tables while we sit on plastic chairs and drink bad coffee.
What if we made the expereince a microcosm of our good idea?
If we want an “engaged” workforce, why not have engaging meetings? If we want fun, well then… If we want a more proactive team, than why not be a more proactive leader toward those you desire it from.
Experience is central to our economy. We pay for experience. As I mentioned, Apple, Disney, Pixar, Nordstrom are a few examples of this idea. But it goes way beyond this. What’s your experience like with your doctor? How about with a counselor, coach or trainer?
Experience matters.
I won’t say we should stop talking. But, I will say our words should radiate from an experience that reveals what it is were saying.
More to come