Rascals

In This Bloutcher
Where Art, Life and Leadership Collide

• Rascals
• Another Plug

Rascals

The best leaders are neither stewards, nor CWOs (Chief Whatever Officers,) nor podium punctuators.  The best leaders have mischief in them.  They are rascals.

In order to be a meaningful rascal leader you need first to be a rascal to yourself.

I call it self rascalization.

Second, you need to be a rascal to your organization.

Organizational rascalization.

Here are some notable rascals.

Michelangelo was a rascal.  He tells us:  "The greatest failure is not that we aimed too high and fell short but that we aimed too low and achieved it."  The man knew how to mix it up!

Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564)

Georgia O'Keeffe, the great American artist, said:  "I've been absolutely terrified every moment of my life--and I've never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do."  O'Keeffe mixed up more than her palette.

Georgia O'Keeffe (1897-1986)

Steve Jobs was a rascal.  He said:  "Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn't matter to me.... Going to bed at night saying we've done something wonderful--that's what matters to me."  He also said:  "Stay hungry, stay foolish."  And:  "I want to put a ding in the universe."  Now that's galactic mischief!

Steve Jobs (1955-1911)

Rembrandt was a rascal.  He said:  "The smell of paint would annoy you."  He meant if you aren't willing to get messy you can't be a creator.  Messy is rascal.

Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669)

 Thomas Edison was a rascal.  He said:  "Hell, there are no rules here--we're trying to accomplish something." Rascal is stepping into it.

Thomas Edison (1847-1931)

Rascals cause mischief.  They stir things up.

Here are three ways to rascalize yourself and your organization:

Self Rascalization:

• Wake up in the morning and ask yourself where can I aim high today.
• Wake up in the morning and ask yourself what can't I do. Then do it.
• Wake up in the morning and ask yourself how can I do something wonderful today.

Organizational Rascalization

• Wake up in the morning and ask yourself where are rules (my own and my organization's) getting in the way and then work to change them.
• Wake up in the morning and learn something new from a field  that is entirely different from yours and ask yourself how can I bring it into my work.
• Wake up in the morning and ask yourself "What if...?" and then do it--really do it.  That also makes a ding.

We all have rascal in us. Check it out, bring it out.  Our little rascal is what makes us special.

Another Plug
Live Smart After 50!  The Experts' Guide to Life Planning for Uncertain Times

This is a very smart, concise, practical resource for those who are beginning to think about the next chapter in their lives.  Live Smart After 50! makes a great gift and a great read.

To learn more and/or order click here.