Fran O'Sullivan: Branson puts a challenge to the bosses

Richard Branson's enthusiasm and inspiration wowed his Auckland audience. Photo / Greg Bowker

Billionaire businessman Sir Richard Branson's message "Screw it, just do it" went down a treat at the glittering charity dinner in Auckland on Thursday night.

But how many of us are lucky enough to have worked for bosses who, when presented with new ideas, say "Yes, good idea, I'll consider it.' Or "Just make it happen"? Or, "Here, have some budget".

I'd wager not too many. But it's about time we did.

Many of the 1500 predominantly "suits" who crammed into the Viaduct Events Centre nodded enthusiastically as Branson trotted out personal lessons and insights from his book of the same name. But how many of the corporate bosses went back to work yesterday and said "I've had an epiphany ... that's a great proposal of yours. Just do it?"

Now that would make for an interesting employee survey.

Not too many will quibble with Branson's advice in yesterday's Herald where he told the All Blacks to "relax and have a blast" to finish off the Rugby World Cup. Unless, of course, the indescribable Bleus finish them off. (If this happens the Kiwis among us this weekend will no doubt blame Branson and say "Why did you tell them to do that!").

The great takeout from Branson was that work ought to be a lot more fun than it is. And I think it was more fun, before people started preaching about "work-life balance" or "getting a life"; as if work can't also be about having fun and building something great. Or, making new things happen. Or, fulfilling a passion. Or, having a vocation.

The kind of things that a Branson does. And also our All Blacks who played with such extraordinary passion and verve last Sunday and will do so again when they contest the French at Eden Park tomorrow.

You see this in "journalism" which has lost a lot of its swagger. Star reporters have gradually morphed from heroes to zeroes because the media's passion for truth, social justice and what really matters in a society has become rather too much subsumed to the imperative of sheer financial survival. So, we chase down celebrities for minor social infringements. But I'm not so sure we do enough of the investigative work to really tackle the powerful with the courage of old.

Don't get me wrong, the financial imperative is crucial for news organisations. Technological change means "content" has to be leveraged for mass channels. But such management-speak is not going to get journalists' juices running and result in a resurgence of journalistic accomplishment.

The same applies in other specialties. The sheer relentless grind of surviving through lengthy recessionary times has resulted in this country not humming along as fast as it could. When you are busy reducing "headcount" you're not focused on building up talent. It is one of the reasons a lot of our young talented people (and older ones who've had a gutsful of the process) say, "Stuff this" and leave New Zealand.

But it is the No word that is so dispiriting.

I experienced this years ago when I worked for a boss whose first instinct when presented with new ideas or projects would be to lower his voice and say "No, Frances".

It was the kind of Pavlovian response that Branson talks about that drives some people nuts. Whether these people are being presented with "something small and insignificant or big and revolutionary" - the response is always No.

Once my former boss had chewed over my proposal, he usually came round. Or I had an epiphany of my own, and would simply bowl in and say,"Say yes now - you know you're going to," or just "do it" and absorb the angry blast later on.

I have to say my former boss did have great strengths. He had "no BS" journalistic instincts and a strong sense of social justice and would unswervingly back you on a big story. In turn, I've no doubt he found me "unmanageable".

But the notion that those employees who wanted to could be "self-managing" has never caught on here.

Listening to Branson was inspiring. This is a man who makes dreams reality.

So, when the All Blacks win tomorrow, let's celebrate the kind of passion, innovation and commitment that drives great performance from sports teams, companies and organisations.

And when you get back to work on Tuesday, tell your boss to start saying Yes! Yes! Yes! Our future depends on it.