dispatches from the new world of work

Lessons from Ray & David

I loved the movie Ray, not least for its wonderful lesson about staying power. Though Ray Charles faced any number of hurdles, some self-inflicted, he sustained largely by continually re-inventing himself in a fundamental way. To his handlers' and sponsors' chagrin he'd scrap a successful genre and try something completely different that had captured his fancy. This Saturday I went to see a magnificent show of David Hockney's portraits, opening in Boston's Museum of Fine Arts. As with Ray, I was struck by the fact that Hockney had abruptly and radically changed direction on a half dozen, if not a dozen, occasions—and he too had left something very good-productive-lucrative behind, that had in no way petered out, to follow that new and untried path.

Though the sample discussed here is just two in number, I believe there is a significant truth at work. Those (individuals, institutions such as Apple) who have the nerve to move in a very new direction while the "cash cow" is still producing a vigorous torrent of milk mightily enhance the odds of lasting success.

Tom Peters posted this on 02/27/06.

Comments

It is empowering to let yourself be guided rather than to guide. To let inspiration change your course. To risk complacency for the chance of a better view. Life without risk, without change, without chance is like reading a book that has already been read too many times. It's good to open a new book every now and then.

Carpe Diem!

Here's a little poem that I wrote when living in Naples, Italy:

Whose feet have tread this path I'm on?
Whose eyes have seen the sights I see?
Where have all their spirits gone?
What will become of me?

- Tom O'Leary

Posted by Tom O'Leary at February 27, 2006 8:22 PM

lovely.

Posted by tom peters at February 27, 2006 10:20 PM

Toms - indeed lovely - and I agree with the be able to "change instantly" vibe - a better path may suddently dawn.

Posted by Sean at February 28, 2006 10:45 AM

Makes you wonder if the road less travelled is a path TO heaven or THROUGH heaven.

Maybe both.

Posted by DUST!N at February 28, 2006 6:02 PM