I was touched to open my email this morning and have a heartfelt thanks from none other than Seth Godin. He writes: I want to thank those that have supported my book Tribes. It’s been the #1 bestselling leadership book on Amazon for the last 300 days, mostly because the people who like it, talk about it and spread the word.
Seth: you are so welcome.
As I mentioned in a post recently, I enjoyed this shortish book so much because it really is a call to arms for us all to step up and lead. It challenges to revolt against the status quo. Most importantly, as he points out in his blog post: Leadership is scarce because few people are willing to go through the discomfort required to lead.
This book has been a major driver and inspiration for changes here at Idea Design.
I am ready to lead. I think I see a few ways that I can do that most effectively and hope to explain those soon in the weeks to come but let me give you some hints.
The biggest issue for me is that you see Idea Design as a small design studio that does (hopefully) great graphic design for charities. And really, up until late last year, that was mostly what we did. And we still do it.
In the past year I’ve had two really important people join me in the journey to do things differently. Two people who help me challenge the status quo.

Mark Haak has been working in the commercial and charitable sector for about fifteen years learning the tools of the online trade, creating web sites, micro sites, e-campaigns and a whole lot more. He is also a talented art director, photographer and designer and the guy knows how to problem solve, communicate with his clients, have a fun time and appreciate his family and life. A true inspiration and wonderful to work next to. In the projects that we have worked together, we have grown to admire each others strengths and weaknesses and would both admit, we are better for it.

Jen Love. Impossible to sum up in a paragraph. Jen and I cut our teeth together at Stephen Thomas, a direct response agency in Toronto. We worked with some of the best (still do) and with each other on and off through the years. She is a dedicated student of fundraising, a talented creative writer and a passionate friend and colleague. There is no grey area with Jen. Ever. Together, we bring over twenty-five years, combined experience in working with charities.

As Jen says, you tell us your fundraising problem and we work with you to find a solution.
Simple.
So as the three of us work together, we acknowledge Idea Design does not represent the amazing work we are being asked to do by our clients. We realize that now is the time for change.
Idea Design is not going away. There will always be a need for a small creative design studio who understands the needs of charities and how to help communicate in a clear and concise manner. But the all encompassing ‘container’ will be.
I guess now is my chance to send Seth an email thanking him profusely for writing “Tribes”. I strongly urge you to read this book – heck I’ll even loan you mine. It’s time to challenge and change the way we are doing the things we do everyday. Why?
Because as I’ve said, “Vanilla Sucks” and more than enough people are doing it.
Thanks Seth.
Love, John