Is it time to go punk?
This article was first published in our newsletter Outside the Lines.
Malcolm McLaren, founder of The Sex Pistols, died last week.
I never got into punk. Never quite understood the music, the vulgarity and the anger. Or maybe the fashion sense just wasn’t me – I think at the time, the pinnacle of style for me was a pale pink polo shirt.
But on reading McLaren’s obits, I’ve started to have a change of mind. Here’s what he says about the ethos of punk:
“I always said punk was an attitude. It was never about having a Mohican haircut or wearing a ripped T-shirt. It was all about destruction, and the creative potential within that … Turn left if you’re supposed to turn right; go through any door that you’re not supposed to enter. It’s the only way to fight your way through to any kind of authentic world in a world beset by fakery.”
Now, I’ve just read research from Right Management that says, in companies employing 50 people or more, fifty percent identify themselves as being completely unengaged in their job. Fifty percent! Perhaps some punk attitude is needed to shake things up.
At this stage I could offer you a range of tips to stop following the rules. But that would be following the ‘how to write a good article’ rules.
So instead, I’m going to form a band.
The new Sex Pistols.
I give you Punk Work.
Seth Godin on lead vocals and head songwriter.
This is a man who can craft a hook, can catch our imagination. Whether it’s Purple Cow, The Dip or Linchpin, he knows how to get something stuck in your head. And he’s even got the haircut for it.
Jas
on Fried on lead guitar.
He’s just released ReWork, full of short solos on what it takes to stop business as usual and try something else.
Scott Belsky, the new kid on bass.
Making Ideas Happen is rooted in creativity, but it’s about making stuff real. That’s an urgent rhythm that fits right behind Fried’s lead.
Dan Pink on drums.
Drive is all about Motivation 3.0, a plea to manage in a way that gives people Purpose, Autonomy and Mastery. It’s the tireless beat that gives all of this a foundation that works.
Me? I was toying with the Do More Great Work tambourine. But maybe I’ll follow McLaren’s lead and mange the band, pulling the talent together and helping it have an impact.
How about you? Who’d be in your band? What inspires you to turn left if you’re supposed to turn right?
Let me know in the Comments section below.
Don’t take my word for it
Smart people thinking out loud about punk.
“A hero is someone who rebels, or seems to rebel, against the facts of existence and seems to conquer them.”
- Jim Morrison
“That was my problem then and it’s my problem now; I have a bad attitude. In a nutshell, I fear authority but at the same time I resent it, the authority and my own fear, so I rebel. And writing SF is a way to rebel.” - Philip K. Dick
“Before the beginning of great brilliance, there must be chaos. Before a brilliant person begins something great, they must look foolish in the crowd.”
- I Ching
“The price of being a sheep is boredom. The price of being a wolf is loneliness. Choose one or the other with great care.”
- Hugh MacLeod (see his cartoon of the quote here)
“Every act of rebellion expresses a nostalgia for innocence and an appeal to the essence of being.”
-Albert Camus
“Just being yourself, being who you are is a successful rebellion.”
-Anonymous
- “It is better to be a flamboyant failure than…” (Great Work quote)
- Alltop all the time…
- Wasting time (six reasons why you should)
- Is it time to attack?
- Is it time to embrace random?
50% is sad, but confirms to me more & more that employers must be crystal clear on their Vision, Purpose, & Mission & hire people who are already ENGAGED in this work. Seeking & rewarding employees whose Vision, Mission, Purpose, & Values are ALIGNED with theirs will PAY OFF!
http://redeemingyourdreams.com/
be left wondering what if I had just tried!
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I never liked The Sex Pistols, I just found them… not to my taste to put it mildly.
But that quote from McLaren, that got me thinking. I too love to fight against “a world beset by fakery”. Especially now that I live in a country where I have some challenges with the culture. Am I turning into a punk? Well, I plan a visit to the hairdresser…
Need to think about my band. But Andrea Lee would need to be in there for sure.
Great article as always. Thanks!
Andrea’s a rock and roll legend for sure, Judit
Tambourine??? Seriously? You should be front and center of your own band, man!
If you tell me that you’ve got the behind the scenes direction where it’s all going job, I might shut up. That was my first reaction. ~Regina
Hey – thanks, Regina!
Thought you might enjoy this post by Johnny B. Truant
http://johnnybtruant.com/all-entrepreneurs-are-punk-rock/
Perfect – thanks, Kelly ~
Michael,
I would add a quote from my dad, “I think it’s the duty of the comedian to find out where the line is drawn and cross it deliberately.” George Carlin
He always inspired me to go left when the world has told me to go right. It’s always where the treasure is.
Best,
Kelly Carlin
Hi
Fabulous idea to step up to being a band leader. And I love the line up.
I have to say though, its a bit like the original punks: no women!!! Well, except the groupies.
So maybe a lead guitar or vocals with Rosabeth Moss Kanter.
Amanda
I have never much liked Jim Morrison but I do now, that quotation makes me a hero! every time I wash the dishes and defy the fact of dirty dishes. AND every time I don’t wash the dishes and paint instead, defying the notion that a sinkful of dirty dishes is not okay. Thank you for all of those ideas Michael.
Michael, Interesting! Punk is not my thing. The names in your band or in Sex Pistols are unknown to me. My rebellion has to be in my own way. My first thought is a picture from a magazine which I have on my dream board. The picture is of about 50 brides and grooms. The brides are in the traditional long white gowns and the grooms are in tuxes. The caption says, “Rebel, Fight sameness.” My wedding gown was a short white one. That was years ago! I think the I Ching statement defines me to a ‘T’: “….they must look foolish in the crowd.” Someone sang a Frank Sinatra song at karaoke and changed the final word from “die” to “live”. It was a huge success. Michael, you bring a spirt of fun to my life. Keep on! It is greatly appreciated. Thank you! Ellen
Thanks for sharing your story, Ellen – great stuff!
Nothing wrong with the tambourine playing or managing the band, IMO (if it feels like great brilliance to you). After coming off of a long stint of “singing backup” for a really crappy “lead singer”, I’ve started my own “punk band” and have got to say, the whole experience rocks! Thanks for the post and thanks for doing what you do- great book, great blog.
Kenny
Awesome, Kenny ~
@Amanda: PATTI SMITH, Poly Styrene, The Slits are good places to start. There definitely have been great female punks. Also, later but valuable: Bikini Kill.