Jim Caroll, Canada’s own, celebrated futurist, is right when he says that the world doesn’t need any more MBA’s – Master of Business Administration. What we do need is a few more MBI’s – Masters in Business Imagination (MBIs).
Change can’t be managed. It’s like the wave that a surfer sees emerging from the depths of a vast ocean. It can be chased and ridden but rarely tamed.
Sadly both our formative education in school combined with our early work experience do little to prepare us for a world of constant, pervasive and accelerating change. On the contrary, we’re taught to detect familiar patterns (described and based on observations of our elders and betters) in order that we may either comply with what is required of us or manipulate the circumstances if we are fortunate enough to have the power (license and resources) to do so.
Jim is working on a book that, hopefully, will outline the curriculum and standards for the MBI. In the mean-time, he has listed the core elements. They are summarized below. For more detail from Jim Carroll, click here or, if the element is a hyper-link, have a look at our thoughts and join in on the debate:
- See things differently
- Spur creativity in other people
- Focus on opportunity not threat
- Refuse to accept the status quo
- Bring ideas to life
- Develop the skill to learn and unlearn
- Never say “can’t”
- Accept challenges with passion and enthusiasm
- Embrace change, don’t run away
- Listen to others with a different perspective
- Live for the opportunity to have ideas challenged and debated
