Break the Rules

robertequinn–confidence, courage, meaningful work, positive deviance, risk, Uncategorized, unique, vision–May 13, 2016

Many years ago a doctoral student shared some of his concerns with me. He felt that he was in prison […]

A Shocking Illustration of Taking a Life Statement Seriously

robertequinn–positive leadership, purpose, vision–November 25, 2015

We are free in any situation to focus our attention as we see fit. In the short run, how we […]

Writing a Life Statement

robertequinn–letters to garrett, problem solving, purpose, relationships, vision–November 20, 2015

I continued: “There is another reason for rewriting. People think that values are permanent, like cement. Clear values can stabilize us, yet they are not cement, they need to evolve. Each time we face a new situation and reinterpret our values they change just a little bit. Rewriting a statement like this one allows us to integrate what we have learned and how we have developed into our values. Hence our values also evolve with us. We co-create each other.

"They Became What They Beheld"

robertequinn–deep change, deep change field guide, vision–October 15, 2015

Most of us, however, see the normal world as something to accept and conform to. When we are in that state of passive acceptance, our view of ourselves diminishes.

Clarifying a Professional Life Mission

robertequinn–meaningful work, positive leadership, purpose, vision–October 9, 2015

Few executives ever commit themselves to the common good, free themselves from the need for recognition, and commit to building positive organizations.

More Than a Meaningful Vision

robertequinn–change, positive culture, vision–October 7, 2015

Positive leaders must provide a meaningful vision. They must also provide the resources necessary to attract people to new experiences.

Vision as Political Compromise

robertequinn–building the bridge as you walk on it, purpose, vision–September 16, 2015

hey asked me what I thought of their vision. I simply responded, “Who is willing to die for this vision?” No one spoke up.

How Change Really Happens

robertequinn–deep change, purpose, vision–September 14, 2015

Organizational and personal growth seldom follows a linear plan.

Zingerman's: Spreading the Vision

robertequinn–positive organization, seeing possibility, vision–July 7, 2015

After the visit to Zingerman’s, the CEO and his people were scheduled to visit me. I assumed that I would need to overcome resistance. I was wrong. I did not need to explain anything about positive organizing because the people were “on fire” with their own ideas.

Way Finding: Learning from Maori Traditions

robertequinn–co-creation, influence, leadership, purpose, vision–July 1, 2015

One of the things she studies is how Polynesians were able to navigate the ocean without any of the Western technologies. She speaks of the Maori navigator as the “way finder.” The way finder assumes that the canoe is stationary and the world is moving past. The challenge is to be “still” and ponder the various signals in the natural context. The island is “pulled” forward to the canoe.