I still miss Bob Blue … a wonderful innovator in the field of learning … and I am so glad Bob gave me rights to quote his song … “Their Way” … before he left us for a better world! Bob also taught us to QUESTION DIRECTIONS before we follow them. Do you question what is illegal… unethical … hurtful to others … or simply foolish? 
Check out Bob’s story at the Boston Globe … sadly he died before his last song was sung.... His life inspired the rest of us to take more risks for brain based leadership … and to stand up against the status quo … the way leaders like Eliot Spitzer stand, and did so through what you do best. In Spitzer’s case … it’s politics …. Bob disliked the political arena but he loved - music. Both these leaders inspire the rest of us to do what we do well to change what’s broken.
Because he connected his strength for learning, leading, and lyrics, this man challenged the status quo as few do. He cared more about people than political spin … more about integrity than fast dollars … and more about truth and well being for all than personal prosperity. Bob especially liked to write and record songs that challenged assumptions and landed deals on the other side of myths.
One song I quoted, with Bob’s permission, in my 2005 book, put it this way:
Their Way ( Sung to the popular tune My Way)
I came, bought all my books, lived in the dorms, followed directions.
I worked, I studied hard, met lots of folks who had connections.
I crammed. They gave me grades, and may I say, not in a fair way.
But more, much more than this, I did it their way.
I learned all sorts of things, although I know I'll never use them.
The courses that I took were all required. I didn't choose them.
You'll find that to survive, it's best to act the doctrinaire way,
And so I buckled down and did it their way.
Yes, there were times I wondered why I had to crawl when I could fly.
I had my doubts, but after all, I clipped my wings, and learned to crawl.
I learned to bend, and in the end, I did it their way.
And so, my fine young friends, now that I am a full professor,
Where once I was oppressed, I've now become the cruel oppressor.
With me, you'll learn to cope. You'll learn to climb life's golden stairway.
Like me, you'll see the light, and do it their way.
For what can I do? What can I do? Take out your books. Read Chapter two.
And if to you it seems routine, don't speak to me: Go see the dean.
As long as they give me my pay, I'll do it their way.
Bob helped me understand how Einstein flunked out of school and then went on to question everything around him. Anything in Bob’s song that challenges you to step beyond “Their Way,” to question the directions you are following … or to path-find a better way?
Common myths that limit our brains and decrease our choices:
1. I need the salary …
2. My health care pays the family bills …
3. People will reject me …
4. It’s always been done that way …
5. Somebody else is to blame … let them fix it…
If you’ve wired your brain for any of these myths which hold you back … it may be your moment to pull out the plugs for an innovative solution that reboots your circle to create a better way at work. What do you think?
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