Over the weekend, an artist named Jammie Holmes orchestrated a tribute to George Floyd, flying a few of his last words in the sky above Detroit, NYC, LA, Miami, and Dallas, using planes and banners. Normally, you’d see this type of thing at the beach, promoting specials at the local bar. How jarring then to witness a solemn phrase like “Help I Can’t Breathe” appearing in a downtown sky in mid-afternoon, almost like seeing the words of ghost in a daydream.
Contrary to what you might think from recent events, when someone asks, it’s usually VERY EASY to help in a time of need. I’m not talking about skirting by with some vague words of encouragement or everyone’s favorite LinkedIn job search offer, “let me know how I can help”. I’m talking about opening your doors when you see someone outside, who doesn’t know where to go. Or in extreme cases, you could, I don’t know, TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF SOMEONE’S NECK. Not very complicated, really.
This is a newsletter about creative thinking and being a leader who gets the best out of everyone around them, professionally or personally. It’s (mostly) apolitical. I chose the name two years ago because being an idea enthusiast means championing the ideas that should be able to stand on their own two feet, but because of barriers — confusion, politics, ego, arrogance, ignorance, or just plain indecision — they need your help. Sure, the stories I include most often are set in a white collar world, full of marketing, products, software, presentations, intellectual pursuits, and the occasional TPS report. Fairly innocuous stuff.
What I hope is not lost on those of you who read every week, is that this newsletter is actually about who we are as the people who have the ability and influence to stand up for the ideas that need our brains, our bravery, and our enthusiasm.
Because sometimes, as it softly floats across the sky, the idea is actually a person, too.
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