One of the things that struck me about the fascinating behind-the-scenes documentary about Vogue Magazine (“The September Issue”) are the different behaviors of a decision maker — editor Anna Wintour — and the creative director, Grace Coddington.
In one scene they are both in a car driving into Paris. Wintour is heads down on the phone or on her Blackberry, checking emails. Coddington, on the other hand, is looking out the window, taking in the world. Wintour is very much about commanding an executive presence. Coddington, dressed simply in black without makeup, is about finding ideas.
The IBM Institute for Business Value’s recent study of 1,500 CEOs identified “creativity” as the most important leadership quality. But can we be genuinely creative when we’re tethered to devices, status, best practices and corporate politics?
Grace Coddington looks up and is of the world. Maybe this is one of the simplest and most elegant ways to find the inspiration to create new corporate cultures, business models, and services and products.
Or maybe it’s a Friday afternoon in the summer and I’m wishing you all a weekend to look up and beyond business. I think it’s both. Enjoy.
Lois – Nice that you have noticed this little slice of mindfulness during an otherwise typical workday. Coddington is watching for possibilities and tuning in to the wisdom inside her – which is where all the truest answers come from. If only more folks would incorporate this kind of clearing, they’d get more answers/insight/ideas than they would off endless checking/recheking of their emails.
Lois,
I’m so glad I stumbled across your post.
I saw this doc a few months ago. Expecting to be riveted by the fearsome inspiration for “The Devil Wears Prada”, I was instead mesmerized by the tension between Anna and Grace – their yin and yang – that propels Vogue’s vision.
It’s obvious how much they rely on each other, and yet it seemed to me their conflict is part of what enables each to discover new perspectives after a combined million years in the business. Fascinating (or maybe we were sold a bill of goods by producers intentionally editing for the conflict.)
Regardless, enjoyed your reflection on it!
Thanks Deb, Dianna. I, too, like the yin and yang. Research has shown that the more different teams are, the more creative and innovative their outcomes are. Anna and Grace show that in spades. A good reminder not to hire people like ourselves, but people who bring something different to the equation.