This is an interview that Time magazine conducted with famed writer and novelist Tom Wolfe. The original chronicler of the ‘New Journalism,’ pioneered by Truman Capote (In Cold Blood) and others.
Tom Wolfe doesn’t use a computer. He writes by hand.
Tag Archives: Uniqueness
BAT CEO = CREATIVE + STRATEGIC
15 Nov
A young guy I know well has recently been appointed as CEO of a large not for profit organisation. He’s a very clever person and I have watched his career unfold.
When he was first appointed, I know he struggled as to how to be the CEO. He doesn’t wear suits. He’s not a fan of corporate speak. He’s a blend of creative and strategic. He’s an entrepreneur, a musician, a story teller but probably not an administrator.
He knows how to network and he does so at very senior levels. His passion for the good deeds and the clients his organisation serves are what makes this guy so compelling.
He utilises the media and has clear objectives for the publicity. Often it’s to inform policy makers on what’s happening ‘on the ground.’
But what astonished me is a video he sent me: BAT CEO
He filmed himself with a Bat Mask on going around the office enquiring how the team was going but in the gravelly, vigilante voice of the new BATMAN. The reactions of many of the staff was unmitigated glee at seeing their big boss being so light-hearted and well, damn funny.
It was a master stroke in my opinion as it disarmed and calmed while introducing a different mode of leadership.
It’s not always appropriate being BAT CEO. There are difficult strategies and difficult conversations leaders have to have but why not engender some fun.
Humour is a strategy in itself and it breaks all kinds of ice.
Here’s to BAT CEO. Long may he serve!
What gets you up in the morning?
27 Oct
A good friend of mine and my former boss applied for a position with a company the other day. He was contacted by phone and one of the questions he was asked in a semi formal telephone interview was ‘What gets you up in the morning?’
I thought about that. Why he was asked that question when he was obviously a highly qualified and experienced candidate with a huge background and lots of runs on the board?
How do you answer that?
What’s the question driving at?
Some answers might be:
“I love my work. I’m lucky!”
“My kids school fees.”
“Life gets me up.”
“The smell of the coffee brewing.”
“The alarm clock.”
Sometimes it seems that HR people want to hear responses so that they won’t hire great people.
I know there must be some deep psychology behind that question, I just don’t know what it is, and I’m not criticising the HR person here. I’m sure they know why?
I get up for all the aforementioned reasons.
And I’m lucky … I do love my work. I don’t care what anyone else thinks.
Doing the absolute best that I can is just something that was hardwired in me by parents and circumstances.
But the barriers are put up. The hurdles to jump over.
People don’t score well in interviews for many reasons. Possibly the same reasons why different kids get bullied at school. They are different, unique, smart, sometimes odd, and … they don’t run with any pack.
As we all know, a lot of those kids went on to start up global phenomenons in the fields of art, business, music.
Let’s try and let the sometimes awkward ones in and lead them well. Stop putting up the hurdles.
Give them the confidence to do what they do best.
Do better things differently.
Revolutionise.
I believe it’s called constant improvement.
I just noticed that the clock is set to wake me at 8.02 PM. Better change that.