Strands of Genius: Big Questions + Cannes, Design Innovation Starts with Empathy, An Unlikely Pair
plus: my thoughts on the "should show", injury recovery, and empathy
WRITING FROM | Los Angeles, CA (Ashley)
WORKING ON | http://schoolofstolengeni.us
LOOKING AHEAD
July 15: School of Stolen Genius >> Integrative Brand Worksheet
:: WHAT’S NEW & WEEKLY GRATITUDE ::
It’s Ashley, again.
I tore my ACL in January and had surgery in February. At this point, I’m about 4.5 months out in a 12 month recovery process. As an avid athlete, this is, at times, a tough pill to swallow, but this past week I’ve started doing lateral hops. I know, I know, that seems menial, but it’s got me feeling all kinds of happiness and gratitude for the small progressions, especially when I was on crutches 4 months ago with little to no mobility. That’s a big “new” in my world ;)
This week, I’m especially thankful for:
Lateral hops and agility ladders, re-reading ‘The Gifts of Imperfection’ from Brene Brown, Premier League soccer being back on television, Hamilton, homemade salsa and guac with a glass of wine and chocolate cheesecake (how I celebrated the 4th of July), and the beautiful sunny weather in SoCal.
:: THE LINKS ::
BIG QUESTIONS + CANNES
The end of June the marketing industry would have normally come together on the French Riviera for the 67th Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.
Without Cannes Lions and in light of a tumultuous last few months punctuated by pandemic, protest and pause for reflection, World Federation of Advertisers asked Faris and several other industry experts one simple question: “If you were at Cannes Lions this year, what one big question would you put to the industry?” (Word Federation of Advertisers)
DESIGN INNOVATION STARTS WITH EMPATHY
We live in a world of our own design but, all too often, that design is narrow minded and non-inclusive. Though we champion empathy in our professional and personal relationships, we often fail to extend that empathetic mindset to the products we make and the services we offer.
There’s a way to break the chains of our own biases, though. It starts with widening our aperture of information by crowdsourcing innovation. (Forbes)
AN UNLIKELY PAIR
This pandemic has seen a lot of the unexpected, and when it comes to the world of travel, things are hitting another level. Recently cruise line rivals Royal Caribbean and Norwegian have partnered on a health and safety panel ahead of cruises resuming in September, hopefully.
The two compete for consumer business but agree that they never compete on healthy and safety standards. It will be interesting to see if or what other competing companies take a similar approach. (AdWeek)
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:: WHAT I’M THINKING ABOUT: THE “SHOULD SHOW” ::
In re-reading “The Gifts of Imperfection”, I’m reminded of the idea that we have to work really hard at letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are. Many of us play the comparison game. At work, at home, in social circles, etc.
It’s really hard not to, or at least for me. I see people my age getting married, having kids, buying a house. Meanwhile, I’m currently living with my parents with no significant other or plans for kids anytime soon. And while I’m happy with the lifestyle I’ve chosen, I often find my thoughts going to “I should be here, or I should be there. I should do this, I should do that”.
I can’t help but think of it like Harry Potter. It feels like a “He Who Must Not Be Named” scenario. We look at busyness as a sign of productivity and status, but many of us struggle to actually enjoy the things that are keeping busy and instead fall into the pattern of “doing all the things” because the societal pressures make us feel like we “have” to.
Many of us are clinging to ideas of normalcy in our current world in any way that we can, and sometimes that means we overbook ourselves which can leave us feeling exhausted. I am talking to myself more than usual while in quarantine, giving myself pep talks. A reminder: It’s okay to say “no” to the social zoom hang or to the extra project because I “have” the time or because I feel like I should. It’s okay to go for a walk and leave your phone behind.
It’s a cliche, but it exists for a reason “patience is key” and the “should show” is a no go.
:: A BREAK FROM THE SHOULD SHOW ::
A walk by the marina with the sound of seals barking ;)
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rock ON,
ashley & faris & rosie | your friends over at geniussteals.co
@faris is always tweeting
@rosieyakob hangs out on instagram
@ashley also writes for deaf, tattooed & employed
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It's called Genius Steals because we believe ideas are new combinations and that nothing can come from nothing. But copying is lazy. We believe the best way to innovate is to look at the best of that which came before and combine those elements into new solutions.
Co-Founders Faris & Rosie are award-winning strategists and creative directors, writers, consultants and public speakers who have been living on the road/runway since March 2013, working with companies all over the world. Our Director of Operations is nomadic like us, our accounting team is based out of Washington, our company is registered in Tennessee, and our collaborators are all over the world. Being nomadic allows us to go wherever clients need us to be, and to be inspired by the world in between.
Hit reply and let’s talk about how we might be able to work together :)