I was asked to form a group of young professionals to participate in a focus group hosted by Kim Walesh, Chief Strategist for the City of San Jose, to enhance their economic development efforts. Although a solid effort concluded years ago, the TYP generation wasn’t included to any extent in that process.
We assembled as a group of 16 on the west-facing conference room of City Hall’s 17th floor, enjoyed great food from Laurel’s Delights, and (of course) the views. Kim moderated and we were joined by Joe Hedges, International Program Manager – the “ambassador” – of OED.
Questions were straight-forward: Where is San Jose coming from? What’s good now? What needs improvement? Where is San Jose headed?
This wasn’t intended to focus on downtown San Jose, but when we’re talking “change” in San Jose, downtown is unavoidable. Some grew up going to church downtown, attending school nearby, or hearing stories of when you had to live in Los Gatos because you couldn’t afford San Jose. Equally important, we had people who recently moved to San Jose and its surrounds.
Optimism, criticism, and suggestions balanced the discussion.
A few highlights were: the need for more coherent and relevant transportation; the blend of cultures undivided by “_______-town” boundaries; and the transformation of downtown into a neighborhood, a place that people work (and I hate to say this) and live and play. The nightlife was, obviously, a concern but events like Left Coast Live came up as glimmers of promise for a more attractive scene for our TYP generation.
When we discussed the business community the group noted that businesses and people of this Valley thrive on the cycles of failure and success. Businesses come and go, almost more drastically here than anywhere else (except maybe NYC and DC at this point in history). But these beings, the businesses, do not approach the world with a fear of failure.
Yes, I’m talking tax dollars and potential revenue, but I pointed that the City shouldn’t fear mistakes, in fact should pay more attention to those in the recent past. Failure is accepted in this Valley, it’s embraced as a part of the entrepreneurial experience. Failure (hence boldness) in the City’s eyes is horrifying.
Cue Jack’s preachiness: One thing our generation needs to embrace and understand is that falling on your face (or posterior) is the single-most vital component of success. As we continue to lean on others to cushion our falls, to calculate ways away from inevitable mistakes, we fail ourselves and our futures.
Maybe – just maybe - TYPs (and the City) can embrace and draw inspiration from business and community successes built on a foundation of mistakes/failures.
I end with a very appropriate quote:
“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career.
I’ve lost almost 300 games.
26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed.
I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed.”
- Michael Jordan
Filed under: TYPerspective
