Ambition
I've just finished my staff briefing at Pacific Quay and have returned to my desk to find that I was being secretly photographed by my colleague Julie Adair. Spooky.
My theme this afternoon was "ambition". I'm struck by the way some people respond to new ideas by saying "that sounds very ambitious" when what they really mean to say is "you're off your head". This is what passes for straight-talking in the 大象传媒. It's all far too polite, with few opportunities for violence.
I was also talking about ambition in relation to an article in The Scotsman this morning. It was about the appointment of Donald Runnicles as the new chief conductor of the 大象传媒 Scottish Symphony Orchestra. He's returning to his native Scotland after building his reputation in Germany and the United States. The article included the following quote from cultural historian, Neil Cameron:
"Probably one would just have to accept that Scotland is a small place, opportunities are limited and people's imaginations are limited as well. By moving abroad, you escape all that and the sense of limitation. If they stay where they were brought up, it doesn't allow them to free themselves from that
culture."
At today's staff meeting I wondered aloud if things really had to be that way.
Do we really have to move to London or further afield to realise our creative ambitions?
Your thoughts are welcome.
