I was asked to speak to a large group of Chinese museum professionals on the subject of ‘How to be Creative and Successful Internationally’. I wish I knew. I ended up talking about the virtues of irrationality. In retrospect, I don’t think that success is made possible by financial analysis, by systems, but much more by intuition and belief. But then it was politely pointed out, I am a dinosaur. The other thing in which I realise I am a dinosaur is that I think that success in an organisation – any organisation – is dependent on having and developing good relations with staff. When I started at the NPG, someone said, ‘make sure they hate you’. I have never thought that this is sensible. So, I am indeed, and proud to be, a dinosaur.
Me too.
If we accept that dinosaurs survived in avian form, we should regard you as a wise owl.
Long Live Dinosaurs !