There is one thing about reproduction that is universally true for every living thing on the planet. In order to reproduce, you have to get naked. Obviously, it’s only humans that have a hard time with nudity. Whether it’s the fact that we’ve created an ideal of physical beauty that few can live up to or the fact that our clothing is one of the biggest things that allows us to express our personality, naked is not our default mode – which is interesting because that’s how we came into this world. But within a day or two of seeing the sunshine, Mom and Dad decided we were even cuter in that little onesie with the matching hat that had the bear ears on top. And from that day forward, if we were going, we were going clothed.
One of the biggest things that are being lost in a world where people “hook up” on Tinder is the fact that this is an incredibly intimate experience with another human being. At least it used to be. And I’m not trying to get on a soapbox or pretend that kids these days have no moral fabric. I’m just saying that in order to fully understand what I’m trying to say about organizational leadership, you’d need to come at it from a perspective of human intimacy, and not “hooking up”.
In order for organizations to reproduce themselves, their leaders and their products, they need to get naked.
Naked is vulnerable.
Naked is special.
Naked is authentic.
Naked is risky.
Naked is a line that you can’t uncross.
Naked is bold.
Naked is raw.
Naked creates a dimension in which what is beautiful is defined by only those in that space. Healthy organizations reproduce by being vulnerable, special, authentic, risky, definitive, bold, and raw. They leave you feeling like you’re their only customer. Leaders reproduce themselves in the same way. Organizations create products the exact same way. Healthy organizations get naked with themselves, each other, and their customers.
– Chad Verity
