VBI - Volcanic Bursts of Inspiration aka Velour Based Innovation at #CIPD10

So we’ve had lift off; orbited once and today we shot to the outer rim and back.  VBI quite literally lit up the ACE Interactive Zone in the exhibition hall.  Why did that happen you may wonder?  Well we had the right people; in the right mindset with the right topic – 3 sets of parameters like oxygen, a spark and kindling to create FIRE.

And how did Cris Beswick and I create that fire with our VBI conversationalists?  By talking about the PYROTECHNIC LEADER – a leader that’s SO ON FIRE they positively ignite others around them to be brilliant; driven and exceptional.

We had a smaller but clearly warm crowd who were very free-thinking  and open to our suggestions.

Cris began with the 3 parts of our model for leadership which started with the Pyrotechnic Leader ; revealed the Flint-based HR approach;  and finished with the issue of Asbestos Employees.  And already we had the intrigue levels up a Gas Mark.  And like the yin-yang Cris and I have become, Cris gave us his expose on leadership:-

The mark of a true leader is someone who can manage by position;  is awesome at being a manager and so the leadership “badge” is bestowed upon on them by those they lead and manage.  And not just by going on leadership development courses.

And in the spirit of the power of language we took the word SELECTED – dropped the S and it became ELECTED.  That is how we MAY want to enable our leaders of the future to be identified and empowered.  To support this I told the story of the American wholefood company who elect their leaders from within , and truly bestow the honour.

So we discussed how we could create fire on our own as HR Leaders and how could we create the pyrotechnic warmth in our place?  So  I put it out that maybe, just maybe you could find that 1 pyrotechnic leader and we join in with them; both being on fire and creating a lit torch for others to feel the heat on.  We should not confuse on fire with burnt out – people burn out when one of the 3 components for fire is taken out of the equation so don’t lose the love for what you do; being at your best and really making an impact.

Tony talked about the systems and processes that are essential to manage people and how would that play into a burning environment?  I used the Human Torch from the Fantastic Four that leaders can “flame on” when the time is right and use conventional processes when they’re right.

We talked about “flint-based HR” – that is, we set the sparks and with the right kindling, it flames.  Sparky interventions; getting the bellows to a spark, whatever it is – we can be and perhaps should be the FIRESTARTERS.

But overwhelmingly people were concerned about the Asbestos Employee.  The people in the organisation that no matter how pyrotechnic the leader and how flint-based the HR is; just will not ignite; burn or glow.

We spent some time discussion the issue of whether – like real asbestos, we should just get rid of those people.  There was some agreement on this and also some challenge in that a Flint-based HR intervention could be to spark these guys into action through an alternative role; consider career choice or indeed manage their transition to exit.

We also had a view that asbestos employees are themselves often found in senior positions.  Again, HR’s role is a tough call here – but generally, someone, somewhere in a senior position will have to decide what to do about that asbestos leader.

Some great reminders of the principles of people being on fire were when the mission; values and core purpose of roles is clear and inspirational to people.  Leaders can ignite passion and then contain the flames for maximum warmth through these channels , thus reducing any risk of forest fires..!

A fantastic contribution from our Vancouver participant proved how people-centric we really are in HR.  That from an asbestos employee a rising phoenix can come.  Beautiful phraseology and inspirational igniting language.  Using the mic isn’t just fun, it’s combustable material exchange.

We talked about the on fire people having a laser-precision view of their role and belief in their pyrotechnic leader’s role also – for example the gunner/Lt Colonel relationship in modern military intelligence and reconnaissance.  Ultimate trust dynamic where inspiration is a safely glowing fire within to do the role with complete conviction.

Passionate about HR?  These guys were and there were little firecrackers of things that our conversationalist loved about their role.  We are a truly glowing bunch of people.

We then talked about reward – and the role of egos in asbestos leaders.  I shared how I manage my ego through use of the words “professional pride” – it totally checks my ego and grounds it yet channels it to a feel good and a success criteria that stokes my coals.

I also provocatively said that we should reward inspirational people who give away everything they know instead of bonuses for performance issues.

Faced with the current environment, we have a gift of an opportunity to ensure the pilot light at least is on for those who are having to face transition out of the public sector.  We in HR can keep them warm and productive until the day they say goodbye allowing a successful move and removing survivor guilt so that flames aren’t doused.

Overall Fons Trompenaars “Servant Leader” provided a fitting closing frame – serving to lead, leading to serve was often enough to keep people on fire and doing brilliant, exceptional things.

VBI for this year was then over.  And it ended on a high with the most inspirational inputs from conversationalists to date – on behalf of Cris, Sophie Blair from the CIPD Conference Team and I thanks for the pyromania.

Cris will create the VBI blog email at vbi@crisbeswick.com create a blog site; will draft a designed pdf of the 3 parts of the model and we are keen to link to CIPD site and create a VBI movement/community.  Follow Cris and I twitter; find us on LinkedIn; check out the blogs on the #CIPD10 Ace Interactive site.

It’s been a Very Brilliant Interlude – thanks to you all for being the best crowd-based keynote contributors the world’s seen.  And CIPD made it all possible – thanks from the bottom of my heart.

Perry – on fire and burning hot...