Creativity Tip: Don't be a Beak Performer

There’s one sure way to deliver peak performance: Just say “no” to beak performance.

Beak performance is a common and insidious ailment that kids on a farm understand and CEOs don’t. Here’s how it works. If you draw a line in the dirt, and you put a chicken’s beak to the line, the chicken will faithfully walk that line. Day in. Day out. He won’t lift his beak, he won’t look around, he won’t move off the line.

In business terms, the chicken accepts, “We’ve always done it that way.” In personal terms, the chicken believes, “There’s nothing I can do about that.” The longer you’re on a job, or with a person, the more likely you are to display the dreaded beak performance signs.

But here’s the good news: You’re not a chicken. So lift your head up and take a good look around. You’ll be amazed at what you see.

P.S. This is an excerpt from my book in progress -- based on my creativity presentation. The chicken is the fine work of Mike Brown, who illustrated the presentation and is collaborating with me on the book. You're encouraged to encourage me to finish the book. Leave a post. Or, a personal contact with a publisher. (Ah, the fine art of subtlety. Never my strong suit.)