Over 20 years ago I read Peter Block’s fantastic book ‘The Answer to How is Yes’ and I took away 2 approaches which have featured in almost everything I have done since:
Its ok not to know how it is going to go- at the start of a project there has to be space for the unknown and that includes ‘failure’
‘Doing’ is the magic- as oppose to thinking about, researching or studying. Of course all these roles have value but doing will always result in something unexpected.
The last few years have been a shifting time for events and sustainability.
The word sustainability is being used less, on the one hand for good reasons (we know the actions we need to take to live a life that works for the climate and our communities so it makes more sense to name those actions, rather than use a broad term) and on the other hand for terrible reasons (I like to think of this period a ‘the last hoorah of the ruling white man’ as a way to make sense of how quickly concepts like equality and environmental responsibility have been swept aside).
Events are having a moment of attention as a attractive economic business model, ‘everyone wants face to face in the world of AI' is a well heard phrase amongst event professionals right now.
Today the British Prime Minister will return to work following a 2 day absence after his father’s death. Around the world millions of others will do exactly the same- return to work less than 48 hours after a traumatic and life changing experience.