I was at a lecture today given by the New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman. He talked about globalisation meaning that employers, universities, clients and customers to cheap, easy, above-average labour, software, supplies, consumer goods etc. so it's not enough any more to just show up, you have to show that you represent a unique added value to get by in life. So far, so received wisdom, then he gave 5 'lean in' points that I thought were quite interesting and wanted to share:
- Think like an immigrant - be a paranoid optimist, in that you seek to maximise opportunities while being aware that they could be taken away if you don't work hard enough.
- Think like an artisan - take pride in your work, making each effort such a masterpiece that you want to carve your initials in it.
- Think like a starter-upper in Silicon Valley - if you think you've finished, you're finished. Always be in 'Beta' mode, learning, re-learning and improving.
- The biggest divide in this world is the motivation divide. The internet gives people access to a vast store of knowledge and tools so it's not enough to be an expert. The winners will be those who take advantage of digital resources: what can you do with what you know?
- Be entrepreneurial - look for the gaps and fill them.
I thought they were great points but they also made me feel exhausted just thinking about them! I want my children to lead happy lives where they feel that they have fulfilled their potential, with time for rest and peaceful existence as well as full-on endeavour. It also made me feel sad for the majority of people who don't even get the chance to be considered in Friedman's world as meeting the bare minimum requirements of the 'average'.
Clearly I am not a tiger mom :o