Three lessons from the passing of Ozzy Osbourne

We are waking up today to hear the sad news of the passing of Ozzy, the heavy metal pioneer and lead singer of Black Sabbath. Here are three things I think we can learn when reflecting on Ozzy’s life: 1. What looks like crazy innovation today might look like mainstream value creation tomorrow. When I was young, Ozzy and his bands were viewed as evil, satanic, corruptors of youth. I just watched a BBC morning news clip where he was hailed as a national treasure who everyone loved. Now some things hailed as bad are truly bad, and many innovations don’t make it. But reflecting on Ozzy’s journey in the eyes of the world reminds me that we shouldn’t look at radical innovations as permanent disruptors. We should also view them through the lens as the potential new normal, which subsequent innovations will disrupt. 2. Make the noise you came to make. I currently have the privilege of authoring a book with my ex-colleague and musical virtuoso Richard Hunter. One of the songs Richard has written is wonderfully titled “Make the noise you came to make.” A musical version of Ayn Rand’s objectivism. Ozzy's life is a good reminder that we should each courageously do just that, even if our noise sounds weird to others. 3. Don’t die before you die. Just two weeks before his passing, Ozzy performed a powerful live concert. (My ex-colleague Paul S. wrote eloquently about this.) Although some things do change as we age, and our roles often shift from student to workhorse to elder of the tribe, we can still be creative. Still learn. Still be cheeky and humorous. Anyone who hasn’t seen the video of Johnny Cash performing the song “Hurt”, and read the backstory to him and that performance should take a few minutes to check it out. Let’s all make the noise we came to make. [Photo source is a mug that my wonderful ex-colleague Mark Raskino bought for me, that he felt was a great fit for me. (Best present ever.)] #ozzy #ozzyosbourne #unthink #unask #unlearn