From Me to We. Garner Janine

together, engaging intellect and insight from diverse inputs, disrupting the way things have been to thrive in the ever-evolving future space.

Figure 1.2 illustrates the journey from status quo to leveraging and leading, to future-proofing success through commercial collaboration.

Figure 1.2 commercial collaboration is the key

The status quo is the enemy

      The status quo is the enemy of change, new ideas, innovation and invention. The status quo is not a friend of commercial collaboration, and stepping out of it is the first step of moving from Me to We.

      Change resisters risk falling behind the competition. Accepting the status quo, resisting change and refusing to explore alternate thinking and solutions results in complacency and the risk of failure in an uncertain future. In fact, it is my belief that those that are happy with the status quo will see no progress; they will flatline and eventually decline in performance.

      The high achievers refuse to accept the status quo; they evolve and align opportunity for themselves and their businesses with the opportunities around them – and they do this all the time; they are restless.

      As Thomas Edison said, ‘Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks a lot like work.’

It starts with a question

      Questioning the status quo opens up a world of opportunity. It’s the catalyst for change that can alter your outcome and help you become an inventor and explore the possibilities. Always assume there is another way.

      If you want anything to change, you have to be the one to make it happen. Changing the status quo requires questioning to understand the current situation and to seek ways to improve the present. Driving change requires ongoing exploration of what could be and active inquiry into the options available. Without questioning and exploration, doors to the future are slammed firmly shut, the lens of opportunity becomes blurred and thinking becomes contracted.

      The power of questioning is illustrated with the following examples:

      ■ McDonald’s was born when Ray Kroc asked the question, ‘Why can’t I get a good hamburger at the side of the road?’

      ■ Instagram was created when Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger questioned how images could be shared on smartphones.

      ■ Jodie Fox questioned why, if men could get customised suits from Asia, women couldn’t get their own shoe designs in the same way. With business partners Michael Fox and Mike Knapp she created Shoes of Prey to provide just that service, and they are now expanding internationally.

      One thing is certain. Many successful individuals do not become successful by sitting in the status quo waiting for success to come to them. They make it happen, they are curious – and it all starts with a question.

Perspective is a choice

      Questioning leads to a new perspective. This in turn presents a choice. Are you going to choose to have a wide perspective on your future or limit your thinking?