Indiana Jones
and
the Continuum of Outrageous Success
Q: What do these three have in common?
(See below for answer)
I saw the new Indiana Jones movie the other night and – while it was not the best of the series – it was a delight to be again in the company of a character who has become like an old friend. Like the movie or not, we all like Indiana Jones. Why? Because there is nothing as energizing as being around someone who is essentially, unapologetically and unmistakably true to his nature.
Keeping up with the Joneses of the big screen are a handful of larger than real life heroes who strut similar panache on the world stage. The Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela, Mother Theresa are individuals who have brought outrageous benefits to the planet by being outrageous themselves. In the world of business, Microsoft's Bill Gates, Apple's Steve Jobs and Richard Branson of Virgin Atlantic - especially Branson who has amassed billions with his unique combo of enterprise acumen and phenomenal flamboyance – exemplify how one person’s insistence on charting his own course can result in the map of the world being redrawn for us all.
If I repent of anything, it is very likely to be my good behavior. What demon possessed me that I behaved so well?
Henry David Thoreau
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Embrace Your Inner Indy
The other day while updating my website, I noticed how my presentation style has changed. Fifteen years ago, at the outset of my adventure in speaking, I headed to the Men’s Wearhouse were I bought my first suit. I examined the videos of top speakers of the day. I studied their styles, added a hint of Salzian flare and hit the platform. I was nervous. My presentations were wooden and formulaic but my fee was low and the local Kiwanis clubs
were kind.
Contrast that fellow to the character I was now watching. This dude is dressed in a crazy Hawaiian shirt for God's sake, jeans and cowboy boots. He’s got long hair pulled back into a ponytail and he’s laughing, leaping around the stage, having a great time. Judging from the audience’s response, so is this overflow crowd from IBM.
Shortly after that my epiphany occurred:
The more successful I am,
the more outrageous I become.
The more outrageous I become,
the more successful I am.
It is a self-perpetuating cycle. Your friends and clients delight in experiencing someone so alive, having such fun. The more they delight in you, the more fun you have and license you feel to be delightful.
We love Indiana Jones because we all ‘jones’ for the thrill of being able to wildly be the selves we know ourselves to truly be. When I see my kids holding themselves back out of timidity or age-appropriate conformism I want to shout “ Just go on. Go for it. You have nothing to lose but your inhibitions”.Then I catch myself reluctant to leave my comfort zone behind to venture out onto a dance floor and realize I am not much different. To save my soul from timidity I must listen to the wildness of my spirit and cast into the fray.
That is where the Continuum of Outrageous Success comes in. These are uncommon times. The world needs us to be true to our spirits and our selves more than ever before.
Indiana Jones spends his time seeking out hidden treasures to save the world. The hidden treasure we all seek is the Indiana Jones within. Only by our steadfast determination to be our most genuine and outrageous self will we save not only our souls… but the world.
Jeff Salz, Ph.D is an adventurer, anthropologist and mountaineer who speaks on Leadership, Change, Innovation and the Power of Service. Learn more about Jeff’s adventures and Discovery Network specials at www.wayofadventure.com or contact him directly at: jeffsalz@earthlink.net
A: Outrageous Personalities All!
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