The Cranky Middle Manager Show #062 (MP3 9.96MB 28:59 Min)

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This week’s show is a little different than most. It’s not exactly about management, but it’s something every cranky middle manager dreams about- being an innovator and changing the world.

Sir Harold Evans hosted a PBS (Public Broadcasting here in the States) show then wrote a  companion book called “They Made America- From the Steam Engine to the Search Engine, Two Centuries of Innovators“. I haven’t enjoyed a book so much all year- it’s funny, heart-breaking and encouraging all at the same time. When his publishers called little ol’ me to see if I’d be interested in interviewing him, I jumped at it. Here’s the result.

Management is more than reading spread sheets, coaching or managing projects. It’s aspiring to change things- to have a sense of mission. This week we take time out to think big, and take heart from others.

One last note. I’ve been in the US 15 years now and am still a Canadian citizen. I don’t wave flags much or subscribe to nationalism of any stripe- this show proves to me over and over that we’re all planetary citizens. Still, there’s something  here I don’t smell in other places- that sense of yearning, possibilities and innovation. So for those put off by the title of the book (as I was at first)- where else could those things have happened- both the good and the bad?

And if you want to know one difference between the US and the rest of the world, take a look at Cameron Reilly of TPN. Over here, someone with his media savvy, drive and stable of shows would be up to his nipples in VC money… instead he’s barely making rent. Anyone want to invest in a seriously driven innovator?

Show 62 Notes

0:00 Welcome to this week’s show. You know a show matters when publishers start contacting you to talk to your guests. You know you’ve moved up the food chain when a really prestigious publisher wants you to talk to a famous and impressive author. Yes I’m gushing but this is probably the best book I’ve read all year.

This episode is dedicated to true American innovators- The Minutemen. Yeah wearing bright red and marching in straight lines might be good strategy but hiding behind a rock can win the war…..

4:23 Our quote of the week is from Theodore Reik, and it should serve as some small comfort when up to your armpits in weasels….

5:24 Welcome Sir Harold Evans. Let’s start with the obvious- why the fascination with America and its inventors?

8:00  If you’re expecting a dull book, don’t look here. In the first chapter you find out Robert Fulton was bisexual and a bit of a cad but sharp as a tack…. Who knew the brassiere was a big time innovation? Harry (he wanted me to call him Harry) waxes a bit rhapsodic about his topic.

12:10 What’s the difference between invention and innovation?

13:10 What is it about America that fosters innovation? For one thing it’s immigration- restless nonconformists willing to risk everything to get there in the first place. Secondly, a sense of equality- real or perceived- that one person is as good as someone else if they can pull it off.

18:22 Herbert Boyer of Genentech is one of Harry’s favorite innovators. It’s about passion and a sense of mission.

20:30 Just to keep the show focused on management, there was a fascinating section int he book on Thomas Watson Jr of IBM- who risked everything and changed the way we work forever, as well as creating management models still copied (usually badly) today. Maybe you techie types knew the story but I didn’t.

24:15 Who else might be in a future edition- who’s out there now? Try Dean Kamen on for size…

26:20 So where’s another place innovation will bloom? Harold believes India is the future….

So there you have it.  Don’t forget to post to the blog, email me, check out the Frappr Map or check out my website, www.achismarketing.com, and my e-book, Meet Like You Mean It-a Cranky Middle Manager’s Guide to Productive and Painless Meetings.

Don’t let the weasels get you down.

This entry was posted on Monday, September 11th, 2006 at 5:22 am and is filed under Podcast. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.