Churning out monster
hit after monster hit, Pixar Studios has laughed all the way to the bank by
making audiences laugh since 1995. From Toy
Story to Monsters University,
Pixar has an enviable, nearly flawless track record of both critical and
audience acclaim. Yet their success is not by accident. The creativity and
humor expressed through their animated films is driven by a culture infused
with humor, play, and creativity. (What did you think, they'd be a bunch of
grumpy dwarfs slaving away under the watch of an evil queen?)
If you want to gain fabulous insights into how Pixar Studios has built a truly inspiring culture, I highly recommend the book, Creativity, Inc., written by one of the co-founders of Pixar, Ed Catmull. Here is just a small sample of the great insights:
Being on the lookout for problems is not the same thing as actually seeing problems!
Leaders need to uncover what is blocking people from being excited about a new idea.
It's all about the people: A mediocre team can kill a great idea; a great team can turn a mediocre idea into gold.
"All Pixar movies suck at first." (All newborn ideas start out ugly!)
You must create an environment where people want to receive honest feedback.
A great culture and inspiring creativity are driven by candor, candor, and more candor. If candor is a guiding principle, then receiving candor must be as well!
The four essentials of a great meeting: frank talk, spirited debate, laughter & love.
Vigorous debate isn't about "winning" - it's about excavating the truth.
"Some of the best ideas come from joking around!" (Ha + Ha = AHA!)
"What's the point in hiring smart people if you don't empower them to fix problems!"
"If there is more truth in your hallways than in your meetings, you have a serious problem."
Leaders need to meet people where they live.
It's never about what's easy, it's about excellence.
No wonder Pixar hits it out of the ballpark time and time again. Next week I'll share more insights on the essential role failure plays in the creative process at Pixar.
Mike's Fun at Work Tip
Hold a workplace contest for the most creative and wackiest "Team Shrine" or "Team Totem" using objects around your workplace (or, heck, open it up to the universe) that will tell the team's story and best represent who the team is and what they stand for.
Quote of the Week
"PowerPoint has consumed the best
years of too many young lives." David Silverman
It's a Wacky World
A newspaper headline from last week:Mounties Unable To Formulate String Theory In Daring Heist. Yup, someone broke into a retail store in Airdrie, Alberta, and absconded with nothing more than several cans of silly string. Police aren't fooling around though, they are trying to string together several clues in hopes of tripping up the clowns.
Cost Savings
"I need to see Mom!" special rate for presentations in Kelowna or Penticton, B.C.
