Earlier this evening, I had the pleasure of re-watching the Pixar animated film Ratatouille with my family.

For me, the most moving part is the finale where the food critic, Anton Ego, breaks from his mold of destroying would-be chefs and realizes the “norm” does not exist.

In many ways, the work of a critic is easy. We risk very little yet enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and their selves to our judgment. We thrive on negative criticism, which is fun to write and to read. But the bitter truth we critics must face, is that in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is probably more meaningful than our criticism designating it so. But there are times when a critic truly risks something, and that is in the discovery and defense of the new. The world is often unkind to new talent, new creations; the new needs friends … Not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere.

You can hear the original voice of the great Peter O’Toole deliver this moving soliloquy.

There are times you must break from the status quo and challenge one's self that this endeavor, innovation, idea, belief … is different. It must be considered.  It is too often easy to critique the work or idea of another and accept no recourse from that position.  It is harder to embrace it and give it a life.

I apply this challenge to all business leaders and politicians out there surrounding themselves with would-be advisors. Is there a voice amongst you that is different, provocative … uncomfortable.  Maybe that is a voice for consideration. Maybe that is the voice that should be heard.  Eventually, our words and ideas become old when we say them for so long.  Eventually, the world grows away from us and we become unnecessary.  Let us stay fresh … relevant … provocative.