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The Newsletter | Edition 089
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| Progress Report is dedicated to providing inspiration for action. In our Off-White Papers, we provide practical guidance on how to respond to our rapidly-changing world. This newsletter explores those topics in real-time, with information and action steps on how to make progress now. |
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We live in a world of constant change, but accepting the inevitability of that change can be difficult. How do we realize and accept when something (whether it be a team, initiative, stage of a company, or project) has run its course? And how do we know where to go from there?
- Let endings inform your beginnings, from Jenny Cavaioli
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Leave things in the past, from Chandler Saunders
- Stay true to your vision, from Justine Deutsch
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EVERY BEGINNING NEEDS AN ENDING
From Jenny Cavaioli |
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TL;DR
Humans are drawn to ‘new.’ We celebrate new beginnings, new ventures, even comeback stories with more enthusiasm than any other part of the process.
WHY IT MATTERS
The narratives around people, leaders, and organizations who take on new endeavors are marked by bravery, courage, and tenacity. Yet, so often, we attach negative judgments—failure, cowardice, or shame—to the final part of the process. While we need people who will continue to boldly venture into the unknown, we also need people who will recognize when a journey is over and can honor all of the work and effort that has been completed. Who will celebrate the learnings, the growth, and the resilience to instill a sense of accomplishment so that the optimism and possibilities can be renewed.
ONE THING YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW
Create a Resolution Routine to punctuate endings and commemorate the journey of getting across the finish line.
THINGS YOU CAN DO
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Celebrate. Honor all of the work and time that went into the effort. This could be with a playful moment, a creative artifact, or time to come together.
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Conduct a retrospective. While the project is still fresh in everyone's minds, take time to reflect and document what went well, what was challenging, and what you'd do differently next time in service of continuous evolution.
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Collate and share out. Before everyone moves on to the next thing, take time to codify the learnings in a simple, accessible format (think Notion, Google Docs, Miro, or even a simple email template) and then share them out to the wider team to prevent knowledge vacuums.
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LEAVE THE PAST WHERE IT IS
From Chandler Saunders |
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TL;DR
Recycled ideas are no more prevalent in any space than in Hollywood. However, on the rare occasion original ideas make their way onto the silver screen, they win big. While memories may be comforting and remakes are lucrative, it's necessary to kill the past in order to make way for future stars.
WHY IT MATTERS
If you’ve been to the theater in the past 10 years there's a good chance that one of the movies you've seen has been a Star Wars reboot, a Marvel ‘Original,’ or some rehashing of a classic movie but now with a different cast. While these films are deemed successful due to their large box office revenues, they are anything but. They fail to spark conversation and are easily forgettable, and they usually draw unfavorable reviews from critics.
Yet, there has been an unlikely savior growing in recognition over the last decade. Indie studio A24 has been producing some of the most striking and intelligent films of the past decade: Hereditary, Midsommar, Moonlight, and more.
A24 is one of the few studios refusing to fall for the reboot bait, and this decision is continuing to work out for them. In 2017 they won their first Academy Award for Moonlight, and most recently, Everything Everywhere All At Once—an original, if not sometimes weird film—won big at the Oscars, essentially sweeping all major categories.
Creating something completely new is scary. As humans we find comfort in the past. But when you take a chance and reveal new ideas to the world you might be surprised at the reaction. Nostalgia may be a quick route to financial gains, but if you invest in creativity and innovation you will reap the rewards in the long term and stand out from the competition.
ONE THING YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW
Invest in the unknown and take a chance on novelty.
THOUGHTS
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Revaluate current initiatives from Comms Plans to Product Development to see if they are playing it safe or pushing the envelope. If they feel uncomfortable or frightening it's probably a good sign.
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Develop internal teams and initiatives to identify emerging trends (think Web3, AI, Self Driving Automobiles, etc.) that will affect your industry.
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Create an internal ‘Innovation Lab’ or ‘Think Tank’ where new ideas can incubate and flourish.
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THE HOT PRIEST WHO SLAYED A DRAGON
From Justine Deutsch |
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TL;DR
In May 2019, after eight long years, Game of Thrones aired its season finale. It was the ultimate end of an era, and in response, fans accused the show of wasting almost a decade of their time. That same weekend, Fleabag, another show with just six episodes each 27 minutes or less, took the internet by storm. The series, following a woman in love with a priest, left audiences everywhere praying for more.
WHY IT MATTERS
The internet has made us greedy. With endless seasons, sequels, and spin-offs there is a surplus of content, making it hard to keep up with all of your favorite fandoms. While some megafans dive headfirst into the rabbithole, most people eventually lose interest. Or worse, stick it out until the end only to feel both disappointed and deceived.
Fleabag creator, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, had originally intended to end the show after one season. It was only after she conceptualized the Hot Priest character, that she agreed to do a second. The show is unbelievably tight, and the only thing quicker than the wit are the storylines that move so rapidly they're over before you realize it.
In the name of artistic integrity Waller-Bridge has firmly said she will not be doing a third season. Without more content to binge, fans are left bulk buying jumpsuits, sipping G&Ts, and debating the politics of dissociative feminism. “I finished Fleabag. Nothing will ever be that good again.”
While some would say the show came to an abrupt end, the #FleabagEra, which has 41M views on TikTok, lives on forever. As you reflect on your own projects or initiatives, remind yourself that you don’t have to live in fear of the end; in fact, there is incredible power in walking away.
ONE THING YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW
Stay true to your vision and leave people wanting more.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
- How much of your work is done to keep up with business or consumer demands, and what would it look like to cut back?
- How can you practice essentialism and challenge yourself to only produce what is necessary?
- Where is the consumer enthusiasm, and how can you learn from that without succumbing to it?
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