cautious. Then give clear Life outside the direction on how moving has interviewed at our comfort zone all-hands meetings some “One thing I was Our experts don’t just live outside their comfort zones at work of the most innovative, — they take risks in their personal lives too. Here are some of the things they’ve done outside of work that were outside their normal daily lives. I tell them to find an government, including internal champion. If you BOB DUNFEE “Back in 2000, I bought a Dodge Viper and Even if the benefits of have an idea on how to joined the North Texas Region Viper Club. I met and built Williams, Draymond Green, thinking differently and relationships with the members, sure, but was out of my comfort zone because I’d never worked on my cars the way say so. When Bill Gates they had. Over time, however, they asked me to become president of the club, and I even got into racing the car, Out of the comfort put competitive teams which I had never done before.” zone in Egypt with to do. I wanted to know Will Spendlove. how companies can offer STEVE WOOD “I’m a bit introverted, but I did play in a band when I was younger. It’s the sort of experience that’s kind of cool, the proper environment processor. Team B, you but actually, when you’re doing it, it is frightening to get on stage for work to flourish. of innovation requires and perform. I love music, it’s a huge part of my life. But playing publicly in a band was pretty frightening.” understand that innovation WILL SPENDLOVE “I am a massive believer in new life a job.’ Those are stressful experiences, so I travel the globe. My top goal in life is to see and disruptiveness different things and different people. Just this year alone, I went to Egypt and Poland. Having new experiences pushes me outside relevant. Innovation of my regular comfort zone, and provides me a fulfilled life.” “Given that our out, is critical to having JEFFREY REEKERS “In my 20s, I got into endurance sports with a goal to do an Ironman. I decided to sign up for one at the last employee value minute. It was 100 degrees, and a good lesson that if you cut and the customer benefit. through the fat you can still get it done. On the big day, I had the Bucket list time cheapest bike and no idea what I was doing. It was worth doing with Christine require an NBA player though, and I’ve done a couple more since.” Rimer and visiting your company surfing buddies. ARTURO ZACARIAS “As my kids have grown, I’ve started We have a program called coaching them on different things. I was probably naive on what the Goldie Speaker series, environment of innovation, it takes to teach robotics to kids, but I decided to coach robotics to a team of eight-to-10-year-old kids. It took me out of my ask themselves ‘Why not?’ Dave Goldberg, who loved comfort zone, but it’s been a very rewarding experience, and has gotten me closer to my daughter and her friends.” CHRISTINE RIMER “A few years ago, I went to a surf camp as a ‘bucket list’ item with no intention of surfing again in the icy, shark-ridden waters of Northern California. Yet eight years Bob Dunfee later, I paddle out regularly at dawn with a group of guys. I get risk taking on a pummeled, but every once in a blue moon I catch a great wave. Dodge Viper. Surfing really is my courage-building activity.” SUMMER 2018 SUMMER 2018 THE EXCHANGE 23