Jammin 2010

ABOUT THE SESSION

In the current state of the economy, as people lose jobs and everyone is looking over their shoulder for the next ax to fall, how do you motivate people to be engaged and creative in their work? How can we create an environment that is both encouraging, fair, and still keeps people accountable for their activities? How do you get them to reach beyond the ordinary to find and create value in an organization?

I will talk about comparing traditional leadership and creative leadership, and where each fits into an organization, and how a balance of each can create a structure that will be more productive in any organization. I will talk about and use Randy Pausch and his "Last Lecture" book and video as an example of a creative leader who could engage his community of students to help them achieve their dreams.

For reference, you can go to Randy Pausch's websites to see some of the videos and get background on some of the items to be discussed in this presentation. The websites are:

  http://download.srv.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/

  http://www.thelastlecture.com/

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

I recently started my company Grace Technology and Development after working 28 years at Dyneon/3M as a materials engineer. The company's focus will be to do material testing for design and development purposes. At 3M, I was a Senior Application Specialist who developed materials, process, and test methods in the fluoropolymer market. My experience at 3M has provided me with an insight into how creative people can be very productive in a structured organization, and what it takes to be successful and competitive in multiple markets in a worldwide business.

I recently completed my Masters Degree in System Engineering and over the past 10 years have focused much of my attention on Creativity and Leadership. On a personal level, I play hockey, run marathons, was a Master Gardener, and am an Orchid Grower. I collect minerals, do woodworking, and enjoy reading books and traveling internationally. Last year I completed the challenging Cape Argus Bike Race in South Africa with the group from the Prouty Project.