The Jury

My friend Cris has a unique place to work, just off his living room, designed and decorated in his own style. Lining one wall of the tiny office are twelve black-and-white copies of people’s faces. Not just any people. Famous people, from all eras. I recognized a few: Einstein, Edison, Taylor Swift, Walt Disney. Some were new to me. And I was so curious.

“That’s the Jury,” he offered, apparently used to explaining.

When he had a challenge, a tough decision to make, or a middling idea, my friend would think about it in terms of how the world’s great thinkers, innovators and creatives might approach it.

For example, say Cris was ready to give up on a goal he’d been chasing for a while. And say Walt Disney was on the jury. What do we know about how Walt Disney approached setbacks? Research tells us, he faced some big obstacles. We also know, he overcame these through persistence and an unwavering faith in his own goals and dreams. Disney might tell my friend to keep going. Edison, who’s bulb only found its glow after about 10,000 failed attempts, might agree.

This wouldn’t give Cris a directive, but it could suggest a direction. Taking everything into account, he lets the jury weigh in.

Who’s on your jury? Do you have mentors in your life - or thinkers you respect - who join you in troubleshooting, negotiating and making decisions?

• When you listen to their perspectives, what happens?

• When you ignore them, what happens?

Is there someone on your jury who should be released? Is there someone, from history or from your real life, who would be a value add?

The people on your jury don’t need to grace your walls or even know about their role. As my pal pointed out, they don’t even have to be alive. If you respect someone and admire how they approached their lives, they qualify.