I hesitated to write this today because I’m not one who likes to jump on bandwagons and then I realized that was exactly why I had to write this.

I’d like to take you back to a younger, thinner and less balding version of myself circa 1984.

I was sitting in a college classroom in the middle of a really cool outer body experience while my professor was lecturing on something that mimicked the Charlie Brown “Wah Wah Wah Wah Wah”.

I felt like I was there under protest. I wanted no part of corporate America. I was lost and had no idea why I was putting myself through college classes.

I felt (especially because I wanted to be a legitimate guitar playing rock star in those days) that corporate America = selling out.

I can point to the exact moment when that changed . . .

It was when I saw a picture of two mavericks with long hair who started a computer company that was starting to change the world.

It was a picture of Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak.    

They had a confidence and cockiness that seemed to be giving the finger to all the “corporate types” and they were out to change the world . . .

On THEIR terms!

It made me realize that this dumbass sitting in a community college could do things on his terms too.

Later in my life when I needed to conquer my fear of public speaking, I studied Steve Jobs style to the point of an obsessed football coach watching video tapes of the other team.

So while I acknowledge that we lost our modern day “Edison”  I also mourn the loss of the person who made me realize . . .

The world needs people who are willing to disrupt the status quo

On their terms (as in being true to themselves)

And have the ability to articulate their message in a way that captivates their audience enough to want to disrupt the world with them!

And to all you “closet mavericks” out there . . .

Hurry up . . . The world desperately needs you!

Thank you Steve Jobs!