Maybe it's just me, but do the political ads and commercials this year seem really, um... boring? Don't we want to see signs of intelligence and creativity in leaders, whether it's in the business world or government? Instead, we're getting the same old promises of "change" from both sides packaged in patronizing tones as if the candidates were talking to kindergarten kids: Rise and shine, Hawaii...what, is nap time over?

You'd also think the candidates could show more variety in their ad campaigns. But the current dictum is to stay on point and keep on message, ad nauseam. Which is perhaps one reason so many people are turned off and apathetic about elections. Neither party is providing a product that generates much excitement or interest. With so much at stake for our future, it shouldn't be that way.

There's no excuse for the lack of creativity in government and politics. All one has to do is look at the private sector -- or even sports -- for examples of how effective leaders are nurturing and harnessing the power of innovative thinking in their day-to-day operations. I've been clipping articles and bookmarking web pages that have a common theme: the first step to finding better ideas is simply making the effort to be around creative people. The "lone genius" is really a myth. Good ideas come from collaboration. It's about bringing together small groups in an environment that welcomes divergent views and isn't afraid of "failure." Successful inventors, business leaders and artists recognize that sometimes you have to fail repeatedly before you find the answer you're looking for.

Yet when was the last time you heard of a great idea coming from an elected official or bureaucrat? Recently a national magazine published a list of who they considered to be the most creative people in the world... and none of them were in government. Politicians are so fearful of appearing to be too radical or "different" that they govern to the center in such a way that mediocrity is the best we can hope for. Real change requires a certain amount of risk -- and that scares the heck out of most people.

But government leaders can take cues from sports on how to manage risk and reward. I happened to be skimming topics on a local sports message board and came across a post on Boise State football coach Chris Petersen. Anyone who follows college football knows about the incredible success that school has had over the past few years. Although they're extremely disciplined, they also have a knack for pulling off trick plays and doing the unexpected. In the article, Petersen talks about how he became part of an eclectic group of eight creative and innovative leaders in Boise known as "The Gang."

At first he resisted the notion that spit-balling ideas with non-football types would help him as a coach. Then it hit him like a blindside tackle that adding "wrinkles" to their routine could make them a better team. Here's the link to the USA Today article.

And here's another good interview that appeared in Wired magazine about "Where Ideas Come From"...

I wish our new mayor and the next governor would read these pieces and form their own think tanks of people who do NOT come from government, politics or insider groups. Bring in artists, inventors, innovators who have demonstrated an ability to come up with imaginative solutions to both small and big problems.

In my next post, I'll continue the discussion and talk about creative advertising -- and why I love the Mad Men television series so much. Meanwhile, check out our current Career Changers TV show on OC16, which just happens to feature creative thinkers and local inventors. Here's our website link for daily viewing times, and you can also check out our YouTube Channel link on that page as well.

Got thoughts on encouraging creativity in the workplace and government environment? Post your comments below!

Came across an interesting article about the Wonderlic intelligence test, which is used by the NFL to evaluate future professional football players. At draft time, it's not just a matter of physical skill when teams make their selections. It takes intelligence to learn all the offensive and defensive schemes, as well as the ability to make split-second decisions. You'll find the article link below.

But if you can't make it as a player, there are many other career opportunities for those who have a passion for sports: trainers, doctors who specialize in sports injuries, sports marketing, merchandising, retail, sports media, and coaching too. The UH has been going through a bunch of coaches lately, and in a future blog post, I'll give my two cents on how the new basketball coach can win back old fans who jumped ship, while attracting younger ones at the same time. (HINT: CHANGE THE PRE-GAME RITUALS AND MUSIC!)

Oh, also wanted to add a postscript to my high school football story in which I recounted my mom's advice to go back just one more day when I was ready to give up. Although I finally was named a starter on the varsity team my senior year, that very same day in a practice scrimmage, I broke my leg...

Having spent the last four years working towards the goal of playing varsity football, I was in deep denial when I heard my leg crack. I limped off the field and refused to get x-rays until the next morning because the pain was so bad. The nurse came out and said, "Well, there goes football for this year." My right fibula, the weight-bearing bone, was snapped clean through.

As my father drove me home, I cried. He suggested I could play baseball instead, but I stunk at that sport. Since there was no chance I'd ever play football at the college level due to my lack of size and speed, my football career was over in effect. Then I looked at the calender and realized the cast would come off with still two games remaining on the schedule...

One thing sports teaches us is how to deal with adversity. It was foolish to think I could wear a cast for a month and a half, then resume playing a contact sport at full speed, hitting guys who outweighed me by 50 to 100 pounds. Yet I began lifting weights down in the basement, and used a "Bullworker" exerciser to stay in shape for the next six weeks. At least I could try to make a comeback.

After Dr. Allegro (great name for a leg specialist!) removed the cast, I asked if it was completely healed. He said, "Yes. Just don't do anything crazy on it." I told my dad, and then my coach that the doctor said it was okay to play.

My right leg had atrophied, so it looked like a thin stick compared to my other leg. But I had the trainer put extra tape around my ankle for support, and limped it back into shape. My first week back at practice was painful. When the team jogged around the field to warm-up, I was bringing up the rear with the heaviest, slowest linemen.

Needless to say, I did not play in the game that Saturday. By the second week, I was jogging in the middle of the pack during warm-ups, and able to cover deep passes from the safety position. So I got to start my first and last varsity game on the same day. I didn't make any heroic plays or screw up too badly, and we won handily. Could I have done serious injury to myself by coming back so soon? Perhaps. Yet the risk was worth it to me. You only get one chance in this life to do certain things.

And when I look back at other decisions I've made in life -- including my career choices -- I feel like the risks were worthwhile, because I pursued my passions. Have you?

Today's relevant links:

Article on NFL draft's Wonderlic test.

Speaking of bad breaks, here's a good U.S. News & World Report piece on what to do if you hit some career "potholes" that disrupt your journey in life.

And lastly, if you think you've had a rough go of things, check out William Donohoe's story of perserverance on our YouTube Channel. It's also airing on this month's Career Changers TV show (click here for schedule).

Have a great weekend!