I was listening recently to the radio and overheard a discussion about what good leaders use to motivate themselves. The conversation turned to whether or not you could learn things about people by what they place in the cubes or offices - especially graphics, paintings, pictures and motivational sayings.
That got me thinking that it would be interesting to see what people place on their walls, to inspire them, to remind them of why they do the jobs they do, to encourage them and so forth. So, with that in mind I'd like to start a small project, and hopefully many of you will participate and encourage people you know to participate as well.
What's on your office wall that inspires you? What pictures, photos, drawings or sayings are there that you keep there on purpose? I'm not talking about the snapshots of your family or the office picnic, but images, cartoons, etc that you placed there to help you think differently or that inspire you. Since this is the first edition of the What's on your office Wall (possibly called WOYOW later), I'll go first.
On my wall I have three quotes. The first is from Gandhi and it reads:
Seven blunders of the world that lead to violence: wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character, commerce without morality, science without humanity, worship without sacrifice, politics without principle.
I have this one on my wall to remind me that all of the good things in life come with responsibilities.
The second quote on my wall is from the science fiction writer Robert Heinlein:
A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.
I have this quote to remind me that it's important to do a number of things reasonably well.
The third quote on my wall is attributed to both Machiavelli and Daniel Burnham:
Make no small plans for they have no power to stir the soul
I have this quote to remind me that real change and innovation require big plans. Small, safe plans don't stir people to action.
I also have a cartoon on my wall about innovation, entitled the Lifecycle of Innovation:
I have this image on the wall to help me remember how hard it is to create really interesting new products and services.
So, that's what's on my wall that inspires me, encourages me and makes me think.
Care to share what's on your office wall? If so, please email me at whatsonyourofficewall at gmail dot com. I'll post your pictures and sayings in upcoming posts. If you send me an email, please send the picture, graphic or saying, and tell me why the particular item encourages you or inspires you. Let me know if you want to be identified or prefer to remain anonymous.
I look forward to hearing from you and finding some insightful thinking.
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