Inspiration

Every month or so I get the itch to get out and participate in something interesting that in no way is related to what I feel I am "supposed" to be doing. Something random and interesting, but with no clear relationship to any critical path in my life. In short, something I most certainly don't have time for. Given my line of work, I always pay a subsequent penalty of sleep deprivation working all night to catch up, but it's almost always worth it. I took one of these small excursions on Tuesday afternoon.

I went to Ideo's offices in Palo Alto to watch Jacqueline Novogratz speak. More than anything, it was an excuse to see Ideo, a company which has become a minor obsession of mine. The speaker was secondary. Ideo didn't disappoint - the physical space screamed out creativity and the passion and energy of its people felt authentic. I even crossed paths with Tom Kelley which was quite the treat, but little did I know what was in store. The surprise for me was Jacqueline Novogratz, a person I knew nothing about. What an amazing woman. It was one of those rare moments when I was struck by being in the presence of greatness. Her talk focused on the work she is doing with the Acumen fund. She talked about having the audacity to change the world and the humility to do so effectively. As I read this last sentence it looks trite and cliché, but to hear it from someone who is living it was inspirational. I aspire to leadership, but in her presence found myself wanting to follow. She exuded compassion, but also demonstrated a keen sense of realism and discipline. She had the bleeding heart of a liberal, but the grounded accountability and tough love of the far right.

Jolted me out of a short spell of boredom. Thanks, Jacqueline.