Constraints create creativity.
An inspiring podcast recommendation
Never in human history have all seven billion people been united in a common predicament. For the very first time, the entire world is living through the same crisis. Every single human being is living through this experience in a very unique way. From traumatic strokes of fate, millions losing their jobs, people fighting for survival on a daily basis, and families losing their loved ones, to unbelievable acts of generosity, care, and community, companies, and individuals acting on the sole purpose to help others. It is undoubtedly a moment in history that all generations living right now will be able to recall forever.
This new reality, inspires, almost forces us, to ponder, to think, to question and to imagine, what life will be like after the crisis. What do we really need? What matters? What will be different, forever? In our world, it is a must to stay inspired, be optimistic, and proactive.
One way Franzi (our team's co-founder, and design brain) keeps herself inspired is by listening to the Masters of Scale podcast by Reid Hoffmann. The famous podcast targeted toward entrepreneurs has pivoted during times of crisis and has created a new format called "Masters of Scale: Rapid Response".
"Crisis is pushing us back to our roots"
In the recent episode Bob Safian (editor-at-large of Masters of Scale) is in conversation with Brian Chesky, the co-founder, and CEO of Airbnb.
No industries have been hit harder by the crisis than the entertainment, hospitality and travel industry. Airbnb, the human, robin-hood-like phoenix of the travel industry built their entire business on a two-sided business model, connecting people, both guests, and hosts.
It was truly inspiring to listen to the visionary, empathetic leader sharing his views and actions. In his view, the travel industry (and the rest of the world) will come back in a completely transformed way. While we used to go to work, and travel for business and often entertain ourselves at home, on screens, this reality might radically inverse. And it's the job of the entire organization to go back to the roots, focus on what truly matters.
Brian's principles were: do more than people expect, be remembered for how we conduct ourselves, be nimble, pivot to where we think the world is going.
Franzi's bottom line: it's super refreshing to listen to a human being navigate an entire organization and it's massive global community through the crisis, even supporting the competition, the hotel industry. As Brian said, “our emotions are contagious”, so let’s inspire others. The first thing Franzi will do is to listen to all the other great stories.
