I find it a great societal thermometer to study today’s comic strips not only to track human trends, but also for snippets of philosophy. Some of the greatest cartoon creators like Johnny Hart and Mastroianni, creator of the longest running comic strip B.C. that started in 1958, shared insights through the eyes of a group of cavemen and anthropomorphic animals.
There are several that sit by my computer that remind me to look at life with a twinkle in my eye and realize that all complexities can be understood and solved were we to start with simplicity and truth.
Yes, all businesses are created to develop a product or service, mostly to fill a need, evolve an existing solution, or fulfill the personal dream or aspiration of the founder and team. Selling these products or services is truly an art in an ever-changing society whose purchasing priorities may appear to be altruistic, but often beyond altruism are motivated by personal emotion and priorities.
Then there was Gary Larson who was able to make science important and business foibles entertaining through his Far Side cartoons. If starting and creating a booming company was easy, everyone would do it! However, there are challenges that spring up daily and can cause frustration and disappointments.
Sometimes the insights provided by cartoons, inspire solutions relevant for addressing these challenges in business, beyond the often needed reprieve of laughter.
It is vital to focus regularly on your Mission, Vision and Purpose, the fundamentals of the company, and investigate any challenges against your core values. Times and trends will change, but your core values should be the epicenter, the standards upon which your decisions are made.
Yes, there are constant serious challenges- the investor backed out at the last moment; the delivery was delayed and a pallet of frozen desserts was wasted; your buyer left and the sales process has to reset after a year of negotiations; your new team member found your corporate guidelines too restrictive; we have heard these from our clients and work through these issues with real solutions, a positive attitude and the ability to reignite that ‘twinkle’, that inspiration that is the foundation of your success, like many great cartoons provide- levity even in challenging circumstances.
Great philosophers, artists and leaders all had business challenges, but with a twinkle in their eye- persisted to greatness. Rembrandt filed for bankruptcy. Bill Gates first company, Traf-O-Data was a failure. Albert Einstein was rejected from college. And Mark Twain invested in the Paige Compositor, a mechanical typesetter, which failed and he had to file bankruptcy, but it was from his writings, we are reminded that humor is vital to staying true to our core values. Success will follow. Humor often allows us to transition through failures and challenges, and stay aligned to our core values with a smile, a vital element in all life.
Humor is the good natured side of a truth.
– Mark Twain
-Gillian Christie