Thinking about Unthink. It’s been a couple of weeks since the 3rd and final Unthink session and already I want to get involved in another one.
When I got invited to the Unthink summer experience, I had no idea what to expect but knew that with the people involved it would be an experience not to miss out on. Previous blog posts have covered the format of the sessions, with inspirational guest speakers followed by exercises that ‘look in’ and they have also touched upon the great charity work that is a part of the programme.
Elaborating on the charity work, what a great way to brainstorm potential solutions for real life challenges for these organisations. In the small group I was a part of, there were people from all over the world, including Germany and Japan, and at different stages of their careers; start up entrepreneur’s, Heads of Departments and Blue-Chip company board members.
I took a couple of things from this part of the programme:
1. Solutions. Rarely do solutions to complex problems come from 1 source or a single bright idea. At the end of the 3rd session we had 2 minutes to present our solution to the Charity’s challenge and when you look at how we came to our eventual idea, it was built over the weeks through input from all areas. There is no such thing as a bad idea – as even if it doesn’t work for that challenge it may trigger something in someone else that adapts it or builds on it. So, if you are part of a group in trying to solve a problem and have a thought – say it. Always.
2. We’re all people. No matter what level in an organisation people are, their status, remuneration package, at the end of the day we are all people with ideas and emotions that breathe in Oxygen and emit Carbon Dioxide. Ego is the biggest threat to us all, and with almost the first rule of the Unthink experience being to leave your ego at the door, it puts you all on a level playing field, which, through our own perceptions, we rarely see in the real world. This then allows you to fully contribute. The potential power of 5 or 6 individuals contributing compared to say 12 individuals contributing whilst playing ‘the game’.
3. Be more dog. Give. Give people your trust, your love your loyalty, your time, your undivided attention. We are all fortunate enough to be in such positions, to be able to be a part of something such as Unthink. But think about everything that happened for you to end up on day 1 of the course. When you think about it, it’s pretty mental. My link stems from my hockey club, which I almost didn’t join when I was 10. If I hadn’t have joined, I wouldn’t be writing this now. Then Sarah joined as coach. If she hadn’t of joined, again I wouldn’t be writing this now. If Covid hadn’t of happened, would the founders have found the time to found Unthink? Who knows? But when you think about all the things that fell into place to give you an opportunity such as this, it’s pretty humbling. So whatever it is in your life; personal, business, if you have a chance to give something to someone and you can afford to do it… Do it. It may be just what they need to propel themselves forwards and really didn’t cost you much at all. And in this case, give your time, energy and thoughts to helping the charity the course is working with.
– Drew Blackburn, Founder Blakemore Consultancy Ltd