The King of big business, Donald Trump, once said, "If you're going to be thinking anyway, you might as well think big."
I find this kind of bold courage intoxicating for a couple of reasons. The first reason is that it diametrically contradicts the way I think. My practicality and commonsense urges me to plan according to an expressed need and to only consider building what can reasonably be delivered. By comparison, big thinkers see opportunity without boundaries. They aren't scared to transcend what is reasonable and instead reach for what is incredible. While I hold tight to my fear of failure by protecting my ego with safety nets, the Big Thinkers plow forward and make things happen despite all odds.
It must be exhausting to be a big thinker who actually acts on his or her ideas. They'd be surrounded by people like me, the practical realists of the world, politely telling them to reign things in a little. "Have you considered this?", "What if no one comes?", "Let's just act on what we know and be surprised if it goes better than expected".
I have only lived in Prince George for eight years. I came after most of our city's recent big ideas had come to fruition or were already set in motion. But, I can imagine what the reaction was to the few Big Thinkers in our city and region who suggested building a university in a traditional forestry and pulp mill town. The rolling of the eyes from the realists who faced other Big Thinkers who believed Prince George could house a Cancer Centre. And what about the Canada Winter Games? Coming to Prince George?
Come now, let's be serious for a moment.
So many of our city's most compelling events and facilities all started with an unrealistic thought from an individual or group of people who weren't scared to dream. Prince George has benefited from big thinking in the areas of education, health, and recreation. So, how do we feel about business? I haven't heard a public expression of what could be the next great idea for economic development in our city. Certainly we, like most cities, have touted that we are "open for business" but my question is, "Are we open for big business ideas?" Between various downtown marketing prospectuses, myPG plans, and chatter around many boardroom tables we may have some shared future vision but unless we have the inspirational champions to push these ideas forward, the ideas will remain caged birds.
My hope is that this coming municipal election will prove to be a period of true inspiration and big thinking when it comes to business leadership. I'll be looking for vigorous debate on how Prince George will move some of its fabulous economic development plans into action. When will true downtown revitalization begin with a coordinated and direct approach? And most importantly, will any of the candidates put it all on the line, encourage us to think bigger than we ever have before and then lead the charge to real action? Here's one realist who's looking to be impressed by some 'Trump-style' enterprising spirit.
Until next week, stay in the black and keep coming back.
