Inspiration FUSEd With Perspiration
When I have the opportunity to attend conferences like Fuse, I always wish every one of our team members back at the Capsule Minneapolis office could attend. While we share our experiences and learnings with our colleagues, it's not quite the same as being here to soak in it. And we all need inspiration on a regular basis, right?
So, we suffice with taking back the wealth of inspiration this impressive line-up of speakers provides.
When I think about design leadership, I often think about our responsibility as a design firm to guide our client's organization to great design.
But who inspires the team to inspire our clients? Even the most talented art directors, designers and strategists need an inspiration shot in the arm when the well seems to go dry.
Well, inspiration comes in many forms. Peter Clarke, CEO of Product Ventures knows that his eclectic background has been responsible for creating an entrepreneurial spirit that believes in the co-existance of creativity and discipline, each challenging the other. As a leader, his drumbeat sets the direction, and Peter happens to be a drummer.
Kevin Gilboe, Head of Global Design at 3M, shared some recent news. With a new CEO in place, design leaders at 3M are now focused on the philosophy that design is a new strategic asset. So, more than ever, the 3M design leaders need to inspire and ignite their team. The world is watching, right? This is the corporation that has basically taken ownership of the word "innovation".
So how does Kevin inspire? Well, Kevin recognizes the differece between inspiring "stuff" and an inspiring mindset. It's the mindset that can sometimes get lost. Inspiring leaders turn objectives into purpose, translate timeline to narrative, move employee ownership to "mastery" and change the notion of winning to the satisfaction of freedom.
Eloquently said, Kevin.
How about Bob Calvano, Director at Merck Global Creative Studios? He is doing some amazing things to inspire day-to-day visitors at the Merck headquarters. Even though visitors have to endure a Fort Knox-like security scenario on approach, Bob had a vision for enhancing the traditionally lackluster and idle time that guests have waiting in the lobby of corporate america. Because really, the lobby is one of the most prime pieces of real estate for a corporation.
The morning stories in Symposium One had some common threads: inspiration, leadership, people and spaces. Collectively, the speakers changed our perspectives on each corporation where they worked, showing how design is entering the blood stream of many successful organizations, worldwide.
A good start to the morning. Some inspiration and a hint of the perspiration behind these efforts.
Kitty Hart
Director, Client Experience
Capsule Design