{"id":876,"date":"2017-12-12T10:59:33","date_gmt":"2017-12-12T18:59:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/imho.kileozier.com\/?p=876"},"modified":"2017-12-12T15:53:13","modified_gmt":"2017-12-12T23:53:13","slug":"confluent-dynamics-collaborative-leadership","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/imho.kileozier.com\/?p=876","title":{"rendered":"Confluent Dynamics – Collaborative Leadership"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"rock-pile\"<\/p>\n

Our industries are in the midst of a magnificent boom and concomitant crisis. It seems the world of themed entertainment and experience is at capacity in terms of experienced, skilled creative, tech and production personnel to design, build and open projects currently underway\u2026and there are even more projects coming off the boards as this is written. <\/span><\/p>\n

Ground is well-broken on massive, new, from-the-ground-up theme parks across all hemispheres. Beyond that are vast expansions of, and new Lands in, iconic parks, renovations of legacy installations and dynamic ideation of properties and experiences we haven\u2019t yet seen.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s a tsunami of abundance\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

Word on the street is that <name a conglomerate> is scrambling to find experienced people to support the myriad business plans and projects already in process; not to mention what\u2019s coming down the pike. <\/span><\/p>\n

At the same time, there are scores – if not hundreds (if not even more) – of smart, talented young people coming out of design schools, universities, technical schools and basements who possess the \u201cbook-learnin\u2019,\u201d the valuable objective knowledge and the passion that is going to drive Entertainment and Experience into the future.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2026and these two Rivers of Project and Resource are flowing together at a moment of synchronicity that stands to greatly benefit our industries and very likely completely evolve the way things are designed, done, sold and experienced for the next few decades. <\/span><\/p>\n

Thus, this Convergence of Harmonic Opportunity\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

There was a conversation in this space some years back about the bestowing of titles that imply experience to those fresh out of school; an inflation that has historically been seen as diminishing of the title, itself (\u201cCreative Director,\u201d \u201cProducer\u201d\u2026), misleading the person holding the premature title and undermining efficiency and quality. <\/span><\/p>\n

Well\u2026that\u2019s not gonna change. These \u201cdarn millennials\u201d are going to come out of school thinking they are ready for anything. In reality, this is not a problem; rather, it is a portentous opportunity\u2026for all of us.<\/span><\/p>\n

The opportunity, then, for the remaining grey-haired heads, our peers and colleagues in these industries is to embrace these folkx*<\/strong>, their aspirations and ambitions, and support them in becoming who and what they see in themselves.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Rowers<\/p>\n

Collaborative Leadership & The Apple Store<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Rather than confront them for who they may not yet be, embrace them for what they are about to become.<\/span><\/p>\n

During the Crash of 2009+, I was most fortunate to find myself immersed in 20-somethings at Apple SoHo**<\/b> at a golden time for that company and the perfect time for me. Where I first walked-in to this sea of edgy youth thinking I\u2019d never fit; I learned in short order that this was just the opportunity for me to completely recalibrate my own collaborative style – something of which I\u2019d been proud and something I learned could be vastly revivified in that maelstrom of tech and humanity.<\/span><\/p>\n

No one knows everything on the floor at Apple; but together, we knew it all. The context is one of ad hoc<\/i> dynamic collaboration. Everyone is resource to each other, respect is paramount and the fundamental skill – the basis of success in that place- is Listening: to one another, to the customer. <\/span><\/p>\n

(Listening<\/strong>. we may have spoken of this quality, before\u2026)<\/span><\/p>\n

We each had our own ways of addressing a given problem; yet, with successive interactions I would offer that each of our approaches evolved just a tad, time after time, as we collaborated with other Specialists or Geniuses on a given problem at hand. <\/span><\/p>\n

We learned all the time; about the technology and about one another. The level of respect afforded every, single team member was radically empowering: we each knew something the person next to us did not, and we each could learn something from that same person. <\/span><\/p>\n

There was an inherent, healthy curiosity, an inquisitiveness among the team. \u201cWho ARE you\u2026?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Leadership \/ Mentorship<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Those who feel fully Heard are far more likely to Listen and Learn. Listening first, hearing one out, offers the listener the opportunity to see through new lenses and gives the other a sense of validation and trust. Defenses evaporate and true collaboration is more likely to ensue. When people don’t feel pressured to Prove, they improve.<\/p>\n

And this, I believe, is our key to success from here on out. We must embrace these folkx for who they are and bring them along through collaboration as we address challenges together that will make them the leaders of the future\u2026and ensure the best future for our industries.<\/span><\/p>\n

If we Listen\u2026really hear who these folkx are as we bring them onboard, we can create an almost immediate symbiosis. For having been fully heard engenders confidence, self-respect and respect for Leadership. Taking the time, up front, will pay off in massive dividends, creativity and loyalty\u2026teamwork.<\/span><\/p>\n

When I add new people to a team, my process is:<\/span><\/p>\n