The Heretic (an essay of sorts)

For the most part, I don’t give a shit about results anymore. I know, I’m a heretic. Especially at work where the mantra is all’s about delivering results.

But what is the result of our life but just death? Results are the ends. I’m much more interested in the means. How we get there, wherever there might be.

I recently caught myself admitting to a colleague that I like when we have problems on our projects. When something goes “wrong”. Because then we have the opportunity to learn and to try to fix it. There is so much more growth this way.

Of course, given the choice, I prefer to achieve so-called ‘good’ results vs. ‘bad’ results eventually. But not because of the result themselves, but rather because it keeps me employed and allows me to keep going and learning. Getting a salary is not a bad thing and I’d like to keep doing it. Not only to have the cash on hand, but to use it to enjoy life or help others when.

One might argue that the growth/learning from overcoming a challenge is another result and the above is only semantics. But growth means nothing on its own. It only takes on its value when you move along and start to apply it. It’s like force/strength in physics. It only becomes power when applied and progress is made.

In my creative life I’ve published six books. They sit on a shelf and I’ll admit that I appreciate them at some level. They are objects that represent my creative efforts and growth. Yet, the real pleasure is when someone reads them. Perhaps some of it is pride and desire for recognition, but I feel it’s more about sharing an experience between myself and the reader on our respective life’s journeys. Any feedback nourishes me so that I can keep on creating, but in new ways.

Recently my latest manuscript, a collection of poetry inspired by poems, was rejected by a ‘dream publisher’ and I was very disappointed. I thought my concept was great and it was some of my best work yet. Yes, I wanted the “yes”. I was sad upon the news which was provided gently but generically. Yet, when I went back to my manuscript to review it again, I found many areas that could be strengthened. In the almost six months of waiting for the publisher to respond to my query, I’d already grown and my work improved vs. the original submission. The “rejection” was an opportunity for me to reflect. And I’ve decided to move forward in a related but new direction for the work and see what becomes of it.

Letting go of the results is a key to creativity. I work in the field of innovation. As an engineer I was trained to fix problems. This is important know-how, but it can get in the way of creativity. Engineers constantly start with the solution first. With the end in mind. Then they are either successful or unsuccessful in making the solution viable. Yet most historical innovations are discovered not planned. They come from “accidents” or “surprises”. Not all, but most. However it doesn’t need to be this way. If we learn to allow the “result” or “solution” to be undefined and focus on the problem with an open mind we allow space for creativity and enable the discovery of unexpected solutions.

This is a key principle of Design Thinking in the field of innovation. To focus on defining an innovative and insightful problem statement (without presupposing the solution) is the most critical step in the process. Once you have an innovative problem statement, you’ve dramatically increased your potential of coming up with an innovative solution.

To develop an insightful and innovative understanding of the problem to be “solved” without projecting solutions is hard. It takes divergent thinking which goes against most of our training. Engineers and scientists are trained to apply scientific laws and mathematics to deduce results and converge on an answer. Marketers and business people are also trained to be analytical in their thinking and rationalize their way to an answer. We’ve been very good in developing professionals that are masters of convergent thinking. In China, where I work, this is also compounded by the culture where “top-down”, directive management is the norm. Here the solution is mandated by the boss and then there are a 1000 hands to make it happen. The lack of diversity of thought stifles innovation.

I’ve been working in China now for over a decade and what I’ve discovered is that the talent here is extraordinary when unleashed by the right leadership mindset and given a safe space to learn. I’ve been pretty successful in developing this type of space for my team and I’ve seen tremendous growth in my team members. I’ve been less successful in managing up and across the organization to have a broader impact. I bristle at the directive leadership style and micromanagement that comes from it and I tend to be a bit judgmental of leaders with that approach. I think I’m coming to a realization that I have a learning opportunity as to how to provide an environment that helps these other leaders learn. What is their “safe space” to grow and learn? Instead of challenging and banging my head against the wall (ceiling) counterproductively, how can I draw out the best of them. This is hard for me. A problem without clear solution. A perfect growth opportunity for myself.

I had no idea where this write was going. I guess that’s fitting considering I’ve been making the point that I don’t focus on the results. But I’ve enjoyed the journey and glad to have you come along for the ride.

Be well,

Monty

• Getting Organized
  I spent a couple hours in the early morning yesterday cleaning up my home workspace. I didn’t take a before picture but, trust me, itContinue reading “Getting Organized”
• The Greens are Vibrant
  We’ve entered the rainy season here in Shanghai. I believe today is the official first day, but we got a little head start. The greensContinue reading “The Greens are Vibrant”
• Reading Luke
  At the recommendation of my brother I’m reading Luke in the Bible. I’ve tried to read the Bible before but I always got stuck earlyContinue reading “Reading Luke”
• Gone Bald (Again)
  I did it. I shaved it all off. This isn’t my first time. The first time was my senior year in high school. Or moreContinue reading “Gone Bald (Again)”
• Unstapled
  I took Mrs. Monty in to the hospital today to have her surgical staples removed. She was a trouper as she alway is. It clearlyContinue reading “Unstapled”
• Partially Figured
  Be well, Monty
• 3am
  I’ve been waking up at about 3am the past week or so. I’m fully awake and there is no question that my sleep for theContinue reading “3am”
• Horizon
  Be well, Monty
• Wound Up
  Wound Up Amorphous thoughts twirling and whirling; rushing through widening gaps in my failing damn mind! Splashing forcefully against blade; Spinning my wheels and gearsContinue reading “Wound Up”
• Playful
  Be well, Monty
• Dragon in Flight
  Be well, Monty
• All of Me
  All of Me The beauty in God, as I am coming to understand Him, is that He is all knowing. That I don’t need toContinue reading “All of Me”
• Morning Concert
  It’s drizzling around me. I first noticed the patter upon the umbrella above. A little too heavy to be the mosquitos dancing. A little tooContinue reading “Morning Concert”
• The Day After Yesterday
  The Day After Yesterday The morning is cool. The air is a fresh floral green.The light is bright beyond the shade tree’s shadow. My mindContinue reading “The Day After Yesterday”
• Another Floral Pattern
  Be well, Monty
• Weave Too
  Be well, Monty
• Weave
  Be well, Monty
• Painted Flowers
  Painted Flowers I bought these flowers for my wife yesterday. An early nod to Mother’s Day. Since we are having guests over at the houseContinue reading “Painted Flowers”
• On Exhibit
  Be well, Monty
• A Little More Than a Drizzle
  The birds are insistent today. I don’t speak their language, but I get their point. It’s a brand new day and the wonder of thatContinue reading “A Little More Than a Drizzle”
• The Human
  The Human I saw the figure as I turned the corner —Cold, calloused, and oddly angled; Creepy. Nightmarish. A Human. It smelt something awful. MustContinue reading “The Human”
• Strangers
  Be well, Monty
• Another Garden Dawdler
  It’s time for Rory’s Garden Dawdler again — nine questions posed once a week for our answering pleasure. Back in my garden and impressed withContinue reading “Another Garden Dawdler”
• Figures
  Be well, Monty
• Willing and Able
  Willing and AbleHe is willing, am I?Am I willing to let go, let God?To plant my seeds of doubtAnd trust faith will flourish? He isContinue reading “Willing and Able”
• An Exercise III
  Be well, Monty
• An Exercise II
  Be well, Monty
• Under the Pi Pa Tree
  I’m sitting under the pi pa tree observing hundreds of yet to ripen fruits. I wonder what pi pa jam tastes like? It was justContinue reading “Under the Pi Pa Tree”
• An Exercise
  Be well, Monty
• Morning Ride
  Morning Ride Her arms wrapped around me,Wanting more, I sped up;She held on tighter;I smiled into the rushing wind,Wishing I could go faster. Mrs. MontyContinue reading “Morning Ride”
• An Old Sketch
  An Old Sketch What’s this?A tree yet to be.Or, If roasted,A fragrant snack. Be well, Monty