Strands of Genius: Problem with Work Culture, Be a Thinking-Minimalist, Sir Ken Robinson

Guest curated by Lisa Prince

Nov 05, 2020

:: A BIT MORE ABOUT GUEST CURATOR, LISA PRINCE ::

LOCATION: Portland, Oregon
PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: School of Ideas

At heart, I’m a misplaced English eccentric professor, with lazy cats on velvet chairs, stacks of books, drawers of scribbles, and half drunk cups of tea. All I want to do is write, think, teach and speak on stage in fabulous outfits.

I did 15 years as a brand strategist (W+K: London, Shanghai, Portland). And to get straight to it, I burned out. I decided to get strategic about my own life (now that's a thought). Five years ago I founded School of Ideas, sharing all the good nuggets that save unnecessary grind. Work smarter, not just harder! I'm all about challenging the industry's misunderstanding of creativity, how we work and how we (narrowly) define success. I live in Portland, Oregon with two daughters, two girl cats, one girl dog and an over-estrogened husband. I've known Faris since before we had careers. I have stories ;)

Editor’s Note: Oh boy, are there stories. Faris met Lisa and her now husband Andy in Edinburgh in the late 90s. Faris would often pop up to visit his buddy Dave. So often, in fact, that one of the lovely people he met while visiting assumed, for many years afterwards, that he had been a student there. Lisa has an excellent mind and kind heart and we see the obvious parallels in her career story with ours. Lisa and Andy are a transatlantic couple [like us!] and we managed to keep in touch despite Lisa’ epic global path through one of the best agencies in the world and our general nomadism. We love her approach for School of Ideas and find ourselves aligned on much of her excellent thinking. It’s nice to catch up professionally with old friends and realize that the young person you knew is still there, but better! Problem solving is a craft, strategic thinking is not something that comes naturally to many, and ideas are only useful if they work.

Faris also adores The Week [see below] for much the same reasons, especially how it shows both ‘sides’ of how an issue is reported in the media.

:: THE LINKS ::

THE EAU D’PROBLEM WITH OUR WORK CULTURE?

Our lack of deep work. Have you ever read a book and thought this author has jumped into my subconscious mind and put language to my inexpressible thoughts? I had this experience with Cal Newport’s book DEEP WORK. Everyone in our industry should read it. Everyone in knowledge work should read it. Because it articulates the number one threat we see to quality thinking. Our working days do not allow for concentration (DEEP WORK), instead they are built around frenzied interruptions via meetings and email (SHALLOW WORK). Read this book. Change your life. (Cal Newport)

BE A THINKING-MINIMALIST

I'm a minimalist when it comes to thinking and a maximalist when it comes to home decor. Rather than reading 15 different sources, The Week does the editing for you. It summarizes all the news for the week in one magazine: global news, US news, culture, business, technology, science, fashion, gossip plus special features and think pieces. And I love that it doesn't involve my phone. (The Week)

IN HOMAGE TO SIR KEN

In August we lost Sir Ken Robinson. I had the honor of seeing him speak about childhood creativity last year. You may know him for his Ted Talk but it's just the tip of the ice-burg. Check out his site for all his thinking and research. Loved his style, his humor, his candor and his brain. (Sir Ken Robinson)

Looking for more from Lisa Prince? Those enrolled in The School of Stolen Genius will receive a deep dive from her in their inbox shortly! You can access all our expert interviews for SOSG here.

:: AND NOW… SOME FAST FAVORITES ::

:: Game :: Tickle Fights

:: City :: Edinburgh

:: Book :: Wuthering Heights

:: Podcast :: HOPE Through History

:: Album :: The Harder They Come

:: INNOVATION AND IMAGINATION :

The badass philosopher Martha Nussbaum once said "To innovate you need more than rote knowledge, you need a trained imagination."

I agree.

Be good. Don't be afraid.

Lisa Prince

lisa@schoolofideas.co

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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 :)

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