They say I'm Extreme

Here's another snippet from the Big Moo that was written just for me :-), and sums up pretty much of my own life & work experience thus far:

They say I'm Extreme

They say I'm extreme.

I say I'm a realist.

They say I demand too much.

I say they accept mediocrity and continuous improvement too readily.

They say, "We can't handle this much change."

I say, "Your job and career are in jeopardy; what other options do you have?"

They say, "What's wrong with a 'good product'?"

I say, "Wal-Mart or China or noth are about to eat your lunch. Why can't you provide instead a fabulous experience?"

They say, "Take a deep breath. Be calm."

I say, "Tell it to Wal-Mart. Tell it to China. Tell it to India. Tell it to Dell. Tell it to Microsoft."

They say the Web is a useful tool.

I say the Web changes everything. Now.

They say, "We need an initiative."

I say, "We need a dream. And dreamers."

They say great design is "nice".

I say great design is necessary.

They say, "Effective governance is important."

I say bold, brash boards that are representative of the market served - more than a token woman or two and an empty seat for the "forthcoming Hispanic" - are an imperative. Now.

The say, "Plan it."

I say, "Do it."

They say, "We need more steady, loyal employees."

I say, "We need more 'freaks' who routinely tell those in charge to take a flying leap...before it's too late."

They say, "We need Good People."

I say, "We need Quirky Talent."

They say, "We like people who, with steely determination, say, 'I can make it better.'"

I say, "I love people who, with a certain maniacal gleam in their eye, perhaps even a giggle, say, 'I can turn the world upside down. Watch me!'"

They say, "Sure, we need change."

I say we nee revolution now.

They say, "Fast follower."

I say, "Battered and bruised leader."

They say, "Conglomerate and imitate!"

I say, "Create and innovate!"

They say, "Market share."

I say, "Market creation."

They say, "Improve and maintain."

I say, "Destroy and reimagine."

They say, "Normal."

I say, "Weird."

They say, "Happy balance."

I say, "Creative tension."

The say a favor a "team that works and lives in harmony."

I say, "Give me a raucous brawl among the most creative people imaginable."

They say, "Peace, brother."

I say, "Bruise my feelings. Flatten my ego. Save my job."

They say, "Basic black."

I say, "Technicolor rules!"

They say, "We need happy customers."

I say, "Give me pushy, needy, nasty, provocative customers."

They say, "We seek Harvard M.B.A.s"

I say, "I seek certificate-free 'Ph.D.s' from the School of Hard Knocks."

They say the want recruits with "spotless records."

I say, "The spots are what matter most."

They say, "Integrity is important."

I say, "Tell the unvarnished truth, all the time... or take a hike."

They say diversity is a "good thing."

I say diversity is a breath of fresh, creative air - absolutely necessary for economic salvation in perilous times.

They say it's "daunting."

I say it's "a hoot."

They say, "Zero defects."

I say, "A day without a screwup or two is a day pissed away."

They say, "Think about it."

I say, "Try it."

They say, "Plan it."

I say, "Test it."

They say, "Radical change takes a decade."

I say, "Radical change takes a minute."

They say, "Times are changing."

I say, "Everything has already changed. Tomorrow is the first day of your revolution... or you're toast."

They say, "We can't all be revolutionaries."

I say, "Why not?"

They say this is just a rant.

I say this is just reality.