Originals

1. Originality thrives on balanced risk-taking, not reckless leaps

"The greatest tragedy of mankind comes from the inability of people to have thoughtful disagreement to find out what's true."

Highly original individuals typically avoid extreme risks. Instead, they manage a "balanced risk portfolio," exercising caution in stable areas of their lives while pursuing innovation in others. This methodology allows for the exploration of new concepts without endangering professional security.

Examples of balanced risk-taking:

• Steve Wozniak remained at his corporate job while building Apple
• Phil Knight continued his insurance career during Nike's early years
• The founders of Warby Parker retained their employment during their startup phase

Financial security serves as a foundation for experimentation, offering a safety net that encourages persistence during early difficulties. By maintaining stability, these innovators have the freedom to refine their ideas without the pressure of immediate financial success.

2. Procrastination can fuel creativity when used strategically

"Procrastination may be the enemy of productivity, but it can be a resource for creativity."

Strategic delays can actually benefit the creative process. While chronic avoidance is counterproductive, intentional procrastination allows ideas to mature through incubation. This technique facilitates divergent thinking, permits the unconscious mind to process information, and keeps the creator receptive to new data.

Examples of productive procrastination:

• Leonardo da Vinci worked on the Mona Lisa for over a decade, allowing for continuous refinement
• Martin Luther King Jr. revised his most famous speech until the moments before its delivery
• Frank Lloyd Wright completed the design for Fallingwater at the last minute

The key is to use procrastination as a tool for idea refinement rather than an excuse for avoidance. When used for development rather than simple delay, pausing completion can lead to more significant and inventive results.

3. First-mover advantage is often a myth; being a "smart settler" can be more advantageous

"Being original doesn't require being first. It just means being different and better."

The belief that the first participant in a market holds a permanent advantage is frequently incorrect. "Smart settlers" who enter a market later often outperform pioneers because they can analyze and correct the errors of those who came before them. These late entrants can refine products and enter when market conditions are more favorable.

Examples of successful settlers:

• Google improved upon the functionality of earlier search engines
• Facebook refined social networking concepts pioneered by MySpace
• Apple's iPhone revolutionized a smartphone market that already existed

Advantages of being a settler:

• Reduced risks associated with premature scaling
• Ability to adapt to established market needs
• Opportunities to differentiate through superior quality or features

Smart settlers focus on generating value and solving problems more effectively than their predecessors, rather than simply aiming to be the first.

4. Effective originals balance strong convictions with openness to new ideas

"The hallmark of originality is rejecting the default and exploring whether a better option exists."

Originality requires a combination of firm belief and intellectual flexibility. Maintaining this equilibrium allows innovators to follow their vision with persistence while remaining responsive to external feedback and changing circumstances. This prevents rigid adherence to initial concepts that may be flawed.

Strategies for balancing conviction and openness:

• Seek out varied perspectives and constructive criticism
• Regularly question personal assumptions and methods
• Remain prepared to pivot or refine ideas when necessary

Examples of flexible conviction:

• Jeff Bezos’s experimental approach to new business models at Amazon
• The iterative storytelling and animation process at Pixar
• Google's policy of allowing employees time to explore independent ideas

By maintaining this balance, individuals can pursue their visions while remaining adaptable to new information and opportunities.

5. Building coalitions requires tempering radical ideas for wider acceptance

"To form alliances, originals can temper their radicalism by smuggling their real vision inside a Trojan horse."

To gain support for unconventional ideas, it is often necessary to moderate how they are presented. This involves framing radical concepts within the context of shared values or familiar frameworks. By introducing change gradually and finding common ground with potential allies, originals can more effectively build coalitions.

Strategies for tempering radical ideas:

• Use analogies to explain new concepts through familiar ones
• Introduce changes in small, less controversial stages
• Emphasize shared objectives and mutual benefits

Examples of effective tempering:

• Frances Willard framing women's suffrage as "home protection" to appeal to conservative groups
• Martin Luther King Jr. connecting civil rights to national ideals of freedom
• Environmentalists linking conservation efforts to economic growth and job creation

By presenting their ideas in a more accessible form, innovators can build broader support and increase their chances of long-term success.

6. Nurturing originality in children involves explaining values, not just enforcing rules

"Children are more ethical when they're asked to be moral people—they want to earn the identity."

Encouraging originality in children is best achieved by emphasizing values over strict rule enforcement. When children understand the underlying principles of behavior, they develop better moral reasoning and independent judgment. This approach helps them internalize ethics and build a stronger sense of personal identity.

Strategies for nurturing originality:

• Explain the logic and reasoning behind expectations
• Encourage children to discuss and question moral issues
• Praise character traits and identity rather than just specific actions

Examples of value-based parenting:

• Explaining the importance of sharing rather than simply demanding it
• Discussing the consequences of actions on others rather than focusing on punishment
• Encouraging children to develop their own solutions to problems

By focusing on values and reasoning, parents help children develop the critical thinking skills necessary for original thought and ethical action.

7. Dissent and debate are crucial for preventing groupthink and fostering innovation

"Minority viewpoints are important, not because they tend to prevail but because they stimulate divergent attention and thought."

Organizations that value diverse opinions are better equipped to innovate and avoid significant errors. Cultivating a culture of healthy dissent involves creating psychological safety so that unpopular views can be expressed without fear. Minority viewpoints are essential because they encourage more thorough analysis and divergent thinking.

Strategies for promoting constructive dissent:

• Assign devil's advocates to challenge decision-making processes
• Encourage employees to voice concerns and alternative viewpoints
• Reward instances where critical debate leads to improved outcomes

Examples of effective dissent cultures:

• The "radical transparency" approach used at Bridgewater Associates
• Pixar's "Braintrust" meetings designed for critiquing projects in development
• Google's use of internal surveys to gather honest employee feedback

By protecting and valuing dissent, organizations can harness the power of diverse perspectives to drive innovation and prevent the pitfalls of groupthink.

8. Managing emotions is key to turning anxiety and anger into productive action

"The secret to success is sincerity. Once you can fake that, you've got it made."

The ability to regulate emotions is vital for converting potential distractions like anxiety or anger into productive effort. Successful individuals learn to reframe negative feelings as motivating forces and focus on the external impact of their work rather than their internal stress.

Strategies for managing emotions:

• Practice reframing anxiety as a form of excitement
• Use visualization techniques to prepare for impending challenges
• Channel anger into empathy and constructive problem-solving

Examples of emotional regulation:

• Martin Luther King Jr. utilizing fear as a catalyst for nonviolent action
• Olympic athletes using specific routines to manage performance anxiety
• Entrepreneurs using rejection as fuel for persistence and improvement

By learning to regulate and channel their emotions, originals can maintain the resilience and motivation required to pursue innovative ideas in the face of obstacles.

Last updated: January 22, 2025