“When we, as leaders, are faced with a problem, we can sometimes feel that it is our job to find a unique solution to it.  However, when we open our eyes to other industries and technologies, we might just find that someone has already done the hard work for us, saving us time and potentially giving us a better solution than the one we would have come up with.” (Great TED Talks-Leadership: Harriet Minter)

Coming up with fast, competent solutions to problems/challenges in our ever-growing complex, techno-world… is never going to be an easy task. However, as Harriet Minter points out in her very straight-forward, common sense quote… Leaders “Borrow” Ideas Too!

As a very recent example, I can use my own “borrowing” of a youth entrepreneurship event/leadership concept from another area in Michigan… to construct something similar in the northern region! It has always been a professional priority of mine to somehow grow entrepreneurship ideas with a more youthful population (i.e. 10-18).  The business-building learnings and experiences would remain consistent as with adults… but engaging with a more youthful clientele just seemed like a cool/necessary thing to try!

Well guess what?

During the winter months circumstances led me to become introduced to the creator and partners involved in a Youth Entrepreneurship EXPO that is conducted in July each year in Frankenmuth. The event design was very much what I was hoping to replicate  and through some very basic follow-up connections… this summer on Saturday, June 20^th… the first ever IMAGINE ME Youth Entrepreneurship FEST! will happen in Oscoda, Michigan!!

Bottomline: Growth-minded Leaders “Borrow” Ideas Too! Will both of the youth entrepreneurship events be exactly the same… No.  Will both have their own learning personalities… YES! And in the final analysis will everyone gain in expanding entrepreneurship ideas and opportunities to young people in different parts of our State… YOU BET!!