Diversity of thought
Have you ever noticed that you read, watch and follow the same things week in, week out?
I did.
What that means is that you are at risk of not having diversity of thought. Of being exposed to different ideas. Different viewpoints.
Something made me rethink that this week. Or rather someone.
I had the privilege of having supper with Sir Tim Smit. He founded the Eden Project, a stunning ecological project in South West England.
Here’s a couple of the rules he has in his business.
Every month you have to read a book selected by your peers as being exactly the sort of book that you wouldn’t read.
Ditto for films watched and going to plays.
It’s brilliantly simple. It takes you out of your normal bubble and exposes you to different ideas.
I’m challenging myself and our family team and doing the same thing. Letting Nichola my wife and the kids suggest things for me. And me for them.
Here’s why I think is so important. We increasingly get personalised media channels based on our preferences and previous likes. We cannot help but be influenced by what we engage with.
Unless we encourage diversity of thought our worlds will simply get smaller and it becomes harder to appreciate the perspectives of different people.
It’s also good for business. It just helps you understand other people better rather than being entrenched in your own views.
Right. I’m off to read some science fiction. Something I’ve never done before.
Here’s the key takeaway:
Keep your ideas and influences fresh. Think about feeding your brain different ideas and approaches to maintain diversity of thought.
Snow in New York
Having thought I’d done a cheeky number on the UK and escaped to the USA for some warmer weather, it only went and decided to snow in New York.
As they say: There is no such thing as the wrong weather. Just the wrong clothes.
Wishing now I’d packed for colder weather.
Launching a Book
It’s been a roller coaster of a journey launching a book. The book tour has taken me so far around the East Coast of the USA. New York has been my home for the past week as we’ve hit a variety of Amazon #1 rankings and been featured in the New York Post, the Daily Mail and a host of podcasts with excellent hosts and a slew of sailing press.
Here’s been one of my favourite podcasts on leadership, with Dov Baron whose show is the #1 rated leadership podcast for Fortune 500 Executives.
It’s been fun doing book signings in Annapolis and New York and hanging out at the Amazon physical book store (isn’t that ironic!).
More online and TV coverage to come as we head to the West Coast of the USA.
If for some reason, you've missed the link for how to get it on Amazon, its here :)
Alongside doing book launch things, its been great to hang out on Wall Street, see the Statue of Liberty, be moved at Ground Zero and inspired at the Guggenheim Museum.
Be a Better Leader
Remember that you are running your own race. Look for how you can improve you and help your team every single day. With a little bit of inspiration from Madison Square Garden.
Thought for the day:
“Caspar Craven has been inspiring business leaders ever since he returned from sailing around the world with his wife and three small children.”