Filed under: A Bit Of Inspiration, Agency Culture, Attitude & Aptitude, Creativity, Culture, Insight, Perspective
So as you know, I’m running The Kennedys.
While it is focused on helping the guys express their creativity in ways they never thought possible, what I’m really teaching is how to be fearless.
Of course, you don’t really ‘teach’ that … all you can do is create an environment that gives them the space to gain the confidence to fail harder [to coin a Wiedenism] and then hope that in time, this approach becomes second nature to them.
The ad industry loves to talk about boldness and bravery, but quite often, what they actually mean is indulgence.
Of course not everyone is like this, but a lot are – which is why at the very beginning of the course, I wanted the guys to understand what I meant by fearlessness … and for me, there is no better person to talk about it than this guy.
God I love this speech.
I love the big things he says and the stuff hidden in the shadows.
Like how you need to commit to something rather than just be interested in it.
That creativity is there to provoke rather than to notify.
That if you’re not thinking in terms of unforgettable, you’re not thinking enough.
Great mantras … stuff that is applicable for whatever you do, regardless of industry.
Of course not everyone is going to be like George Lois – but that’s the point of The Kennedys.
It’s not about recreating someone else, it’s about making them better than they thought they could ever be … and the irony of it is less about developing additional skills, but simply listening and believing in who they truly are.
I’m enjoying watching their journey.
Talking of being who you truly are or more precisely, who you think I am … I’m off on holiday.
Again.
Yes, I know I’ve just been away for a month, but the next few days are a national holiday here so deal with it. At least it means you’re free from me, which I’m sure makes you almost as happy as it does The Kennedys.
Till Monday …
24 Comments so far
Leave a comment
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
fuck me campbell, youre in danger of me nodding along to something youre doing. stop fucking with my carefully laid plans you manipulative bastardized.
Comment by andy@cynic September 14, 2016 @ 6:37 amSeems Wieden has managed to teach him some stuff. Who’d thought that would be possible?
Comment by DH September 14, 2016 @ 6:47 amWell both of these comments will be going into my resume under ‘rare achievements’.
Comment by Rob September 14, 2016 @ 8:10 amgeorge lois is a fucking god. you might not be fucking ruining their lives after all. still a long way to fucking go though.
Comment by andy@cynic September 14, 2016 @ 6:41 amI used to dream of seeing you and Lois work together. I don’t know how things would go but I know they’d be memorable.
Comment by DH September 14, 2016 @ 6:46 amThat is kinda freaky Dave.
Comment by Rob September 14, 2016 @ 8:10 amLook at some of the fucked up stuff he’s getting them to do. It’s impressive in an evil dictator kind of way. http://the-kennedys-shanghai.tumblr.com
Comment by DH September 14, 2016 @ 6:48 amwhy are you fucking surprised.
Comment by andy@cynic September 14, 2016 @ 6:55 amim not even surprised hes having another fucking holiday 2 seconds after his last fucking holiday.
Looking at the link David put up, it appears you are throwing them into the deep end of raw creative expression. It looks fascinating and frightening at the same time.
Comment by George September 14, 2016 @ 7:00 amI would love to know more about how you are structuring the ciriculum and what the students think of what they’re doing.
And another holiday? I understand why the kennedys may need it but struggling to appreciate why you do. Enjoy the long, long weekend.
I imagine it’s structured to maximise his fun and the particpants’ discomfort. The two are obviously related.
Comment by John September 14, 2016 @ 7:19 amSome may say that John, but I wouldn’t.
The curriculum is basically split into 3 parts:
1. Find your own creative voice
[So projects are based on giving them experiences that address issues and vulnerabilities that allows them to find – and then express – their individual creative style to the challenge]
2. Revel in your creative brain
[A range of assignments designed to challenge them to find intriguing and interesting solutions to a broad range of problems – from social to commercial to communication]
3. Be fearless
[We give them a number of real assignments that hopefully put all they’ve learnt and experienced into practice]
That’s about the only structure we’re giving them … while we know what we’re planning a month in advance, they have no idea week to week so the only thing they are sure of is that on Mondays we get together, chat about creativity, get a guest speaker in to talk about their approach to creativity and then set an assignment – whether individual or team or group – that they [normally] have to deliver by that coming Friday with a ‘check-in’ over lunch on Wednesday.
In between that we go on trips to see different forms of creative expression from museums, to cafes to theatres as well as watch movies and then evaluate them on a whole host of levels.
I’m loving it. I really hope they are too …
Comment by Rob September 14, 2016 @ 8:17 am“giving them experiences that address issues and vulnerabilities”
“I’m loving it.”
QED
Comment by John September 14, 2016 @ 8:23 amI wouldn’t mind doing the course. Assuming I would be good enough to get in the course.
Comment by George September 14, 2016 @ 9:09 amThe students look to be smiling so it appears your unique approach to creativity seems to being met with approval. When do we see some of the work they are producing?
Comment by Lee Hill September 14, 2016 @ 7:35 amGeorge Lois is better than Dan Wieden. Discuss.
Comment by Billy Whizz September 14, 2016 @ 7:51 amWhat is “better”?
Comment by George September 14, 2016 @ 7:56 amNo. Who is “better”?
Comment by John September 14, 2016 @ 7:59 amme.
Comment by andy@cynic September 14, 2016 @ 8:05 amYes. Andy. No doubt about it. [In his mind]
Comment by Rob September 14, 2016 @ 8:17 amSome reporter once asked Joe Namath “Hey Joe, which is better – grass or Astroturf?” Joe said “I don’t know – I’ve never smoked Astroturf”
Comment by Ian Gee September 14, 2016 @ 2:41 pmYou have no idea how much I needed that laugh.
Comment by Rob September 14, 2016 @ 5:16 pmEnjoying your 1000th holiday of 2016?
Comment by DH September 15, 2016 @ 6:36 amdont be a twat, even campbell cant have 1000 holidays in a year. so campbell, you enjoying your 127th holiday of the year? prick.
Comment by andy@cynic September 15, 2016 @ 7:34 am[…] The importance of fearlessness. […]
Pingback by The Last Week Of 2016 … | The Musings Of An Opinionated Sod [Help Me Grow!] December 12, 2016 @ 6:22 am