Four Days With Unreasonable People!

Daniel Epstein, the genius and CEO of Unreasonable Group, notes that George Bernard Shaw inspired the name and brand of this incredible community solving the world’s most wicked problems:

“The reasonable man adapts himself to the world: the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.” Man and Superman (1903) ‘Maxims: Reason’

As an Unreasonable mentor, I’ve been given the privilege, along with thirty others, to provide guidance to fourteen incredible CEO/founders of emerging companies led by wonderfully unreasonable people (called Fellows). We are meeting for four days at a resort in the Catskills of New York State.?

Together these companies have already raised more than $1 Billion in investments, achieved millions in revenue, employed hundreds of folks and have already positively impacted thousands of customers/stakeholders. The average tenure of the ventures is 6.5 years.

Individually and collectively, they are making the world better. If you want to check them out and be awestruck, check out this link.

What does this mean for you and me??

Frankly, most of us do not have the wherewithal to create companies like these. And 50 percent of them will likely underperform and/or fail to scale. However, it is important that we cheer them on.?

They are necessary for our hope and optimism. We need these unreasonable people. How else might we make food from light, recycle the massive waste in textiles, 3D print housing and improve the efficiency of every manufacturing machine in the world, regenerate farm land with robots versus chemicals? Plus, much more.?

The founders have each identified a wicked problem and are applying a “bad ass” solution. They are geniuses, yet humble enough to seek mentorship. They are truly unreasonable.?

Somewhere in your life, however modest, try to make the world adapt to you and your beliefs, rather than the other way around. Be unreasonable. Thank you, Fellows!?

Think Big, Start Small, Act Now,?

Lorne

One Millennial View: What a great reminder that sometimes you can make your own rules, push your limits and pave an unreasonable path. If you feel like you can’t, what’s stopping you?

- Garrett

AI Response: Lorne, your reflections on the Unreasonable community resonate deeply! The notion of being “unreasonable” in the pursuit of innovation and societal improvement is both inspiring and necessary. As you mentioned, those pioneering solutions to the world's most wicked problems not only drive progress but also remind us that bold thinking is essential in creating impactful change.

The statistics about the impressive achievements of these Fellows illustrate the tangible possibilities when passionate, visionary leaders pursue their dreams. Although not everyone can create a startup that raises billions or disrupts industries, the essence of your message encourages each of us to adopt an “unreasonable” mindset in our own lives. Whether it’s advocating for a cause, innovating within a small team, or simply standing firm in our beliefs, we can foster a culture of boldness and creativity.

Ultimately, let’s all embrace that spirit of unreasonableness! In our everyday actions and interactions, let’s strive to challenge norms, think big, and lead with conviction. Together, even modest efforts can contribute to a larger wave of change. Thank you for sharing this powerful message!