On Tuesday Capita Scaling Partner hosted titan of the arts, Sir John Tusa for the final Author Insights of 2023; and his new book Bright Sparks could not have given us a more appropriate finale. In his latest work, Sir John shares 7 stories of ‘Bright Sparks’, disruptive innovators that just didn't take no for an answer and fought through scepticism, flat refusal and deliberate subversion to get incredible things done.
Sir John recounted the early days of the BBC’s pioneering current affairs show ‘BBC Newsnight’, how his team were challenged to do new things in news ways, and crucially, given the executive support that allowed them to do so. How Joy Bryers, with some cheekily acquired support from the then Prince Charles, created The European Union Youth Orchestra and how Rory Stewart resorted a pile of mud and rubble into the Turquoise Mountain, the historic quarter of Herat in Afghanistan, to provide jobs, skills and a renewed sense of pride.
We had a fascinating conversation about the relationship between those that are charged with protecting the stable core and the creative disruptors that sometime seem hell bent on running a wrecking ball through painstakingly prepared plans, systems and processes. In my experience, there is a balance here.
Yes, leaders and managers who are not brave enough to exploit the creative disruptors in their organisations are doing themselves and their organisations a disservice. They are denying the business the opportunity to find new solutions and tomorrows unfair advantage. But equally, the #innovators, creatives and disruptors have a duty to explain, in language leaders will understand, the value of investment in disruption at the edge.
What I find fascinating is how many organisations still undervalue and overlook the their creative outposts. Focussing instead, almost entirely, on the stability of the core. Somehow forgetting that it is creative disruption at the edge that will deliver competitive advantage and success, even in the most difficult of times. And, of course, that if it wasn’t for the entrepreneurial ‘Bright Spark’ that founded their business, they wouldn’t have a stable core to protect.
Thanks to Richard K. and Bookomi for finding us yet another stellar guest, to the team at PUBLIC and Huckletree who host us so well, to the Team at Scaling Partner who make it happen, to James Kidner who’s incredible skills elicit the very best interaction from guests while making the audience feel like they're members of an extended family, and special thanks to our audience who’s insights, ideas and enthusiasm make Author Insights the best crucible of engineered serendipity in London.
Please do fill the stockings of your friends, family, and perhaps your Boss, with Bright Sparks and drink a Christmas toast to the #entrepreneurs, mavericks and misfits who are creating tomorrow's difference at the disruptive edge.
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