Crazy enough to be a game changer
On a recent trip to California, a Philadelphia University contingent presented our strategic plan to a major information technology company.
We discussed our perspective and progress in developing the University’s curricular structure around creating the educational pathway to innovation.
Engaged and assertive discussion ensued for more than an hour. Then, a senior vice president from the technology powerhouse proclaimed our plan clear, concise, bold and just crazy enough to inspire.
I smiled but also expressed a bit of concern.
“Crazy?”
“Yes,” he replied. “If you look at the pictures of the people on our walls, they were all called a little crazy…and ultimately created breakthrough technologies, philosophies and business models. It takes a little insanity for us to see an idea as a game changer.”
For more information about our educational pathway to innovation, click here.
To watch the video, click here.
The video made a very valid point. Success is measured not by one but by many who strive for the same goal and command a result.
Crazy. That is a great work to characterize the situation. Time will tell whether it is a game changer . . .
“… they have no respect for the status quo … you can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them … the only thing you can’t do is ignore them … because they change things. … while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius…” (…)
In the strategic plan, which is quite detailed and impressive with respect to the depp involvement of the internal University community, there is not enough interaction with the business, design and scientific world. I would think that you should include an effort to make use of PU accomplished alumni resources such bringing to campus successful innovators and thinkers to interact with upper level motivated students. Alumni-student projects in solving a design or engineering problem and students gi8ving presentations of team efforts is an example of real world excercises. Industry needs graduates who can create original and unique designs, solve complex problems from unstructured settings and effectively communicate with their peers, supervisors and clients. Academic preparation when possible should move away from rote memorization of facts and challenge the creative and unconventional thinking outside the box that will result and reward those who dare to be different.