#rickbowers

[fcsyndicate]

A film adaptation of #SupermanVSTheKKK is in the works! http://filmcombatsyndicate.blogspot.com/2017/04/ya-novel-film-adaptation-superman-vs.html #radioshow #rickbowers #SupermanVersusTheKuKluxKlan

[inspiredleader]

The Creative Process with Rick Bowers

Rick Bowers, Vice President for Innovation for Life Reimagined at the American Association for Retired Persons (AARP) keeps a list of great ideas for the next big project.  A master storyteller whose body of work includes two books based on startling historical events, documentaries, photography, and even a country music song, Rick has a gift for discerning which great idea to act upon.

Rick explores converging trends in society and finds that great ideas live in the intersection of that convergence.

That is what he did for Life Reimagined, a major initiative to help people reimagine the second half of their lives. For that project, the big trends were: a rapidly evolving technology culture, an interconnected world and the aging yet still active Baby Boomer generation living longer than any previous generation has done. AARP needed a fresh, new way to connect with Baby Boomers, and Rick and the Life Reimagined team looked broadly, saw into the convergence of these global trends and used the point of convergence to create the innovative and unprecedented Life Reimagined platform. "By looking at these and other trends - these new realities that we are all living, we saw the opportunity to create something that would help people live more meaningful lives at the point where both trends are intersecting."

Rick has a strong creative process that is similar to his litmus test for a good idea (a convergence of trends);  he looks for a good story or idea, waits until the timing is right and searches for a dedicated team to help him implement it. "What I look for is that one idea that can take off and that we can form a team around, get funding for and that we can get out into the world to inspire people," he said. "That idea is a rare idea, and there are a lot of ideas on the list and different people to work with -- but how do we get the right people around the right idea? If you approach things like that, in the right way, then lightning will strike."

As with any great endeavor, there is always risk involved. Rick acknowledges this. "Most great ideas are risky," he observed. But that doesn't stop him - if anything, it compels him. "One of my filters is that if it doesn't feel risky, then it's probably not a good idea because anyone would do it."

"There is always risk, that is part of the game," he said. "There are a lot of ideas, but it is finding that one idea where the timing is right, conditions are right, and the people are right - then it is worth the risk."

To listen to the show click here or click here to download the podcast.