Consider this the start of an ongoing series of posts where I’ll highlight smart thinking from recent business books I’ve read. First up are “money quotes” from IDEASPOTTING: How to Find Your Next Great Idea (Sam Harrison).
Money Quotes from IDEASPOTTING ...
”To spot ideas, you want insights. Lots of them. Because ideas aren’t spotted in forms. They’re spotted in sights—those revelatory insights seized only when you roam new turfs, meet new people and have new experiences.” (p. 19)
”Open your mind and people will show you what’s on their minds.” (p. 25)
”Am I filling my life with work or am I filling my work with life?” (p.32)
”The more you look, the more you find.” (p. 46)
”Early jazz players praised a fellow musician by saying he or she had ‘big ears’—meaning the person actively listened to another’s playing and built on rhythm, lyrics and tempo. Have big ears when you’re talking with others—whether with one person, two people or a team. Spot ideas and build on them.” (p. 78)
”Notice how creative people are the ones asking questions.” (p.84)
”Good mistakes have strong efforts but seemingly bad results. Bad mistakes have sloppy mediocre efforts and bad results. Be willing to make good mistakes. And try making them early. While they are still cheap.” (p.148)
To sample more of Sam’s thinking from IDEASPOTTING, read this abstract.
This is a great idea,
I have been thinking for a long time about creating a document to gather all kinds of quotes so I can print them out and hang around my desk. That way I can look at them when in need for strategic inspiration.
I hope you persist in doing this and maybe you could create a wiki or something around it.
Greetz, Bram.
Posted by: bram de maesschalck | October 12, 2006 at 12:17 PM
”Notice how creative people are the ones asking questions.” (p.84)
Thanks John - this one makes me feel better about myself! Maybe I'm creative! I've always worried that maybe I was just a pain in the a** for asking so many questions. I just know of no other way to get into the guts of an idea and see where else it can be applied.
Posted by: annvmichael | October 12, 2006 at 01:26 PM
Bram ... I have a stack of recently read biz books from which I plan to post money quotes. Creating a wiki is a good idea. I you have the gumption, go for it -- create the Money Quote wiki.
Ann ... you might also like what Sam shares on p. 42. He shares a list of traits that creative "ideaSpotters" have. Traits include:
* Tolerant
* Independent
* Witty
* Curious
* Persistent
* Observant
* Questioning
* Optimistic
* Energetic
* Passionate
* Flexible
* Intuitive
* Perceptive
Posted by: johnmoore (from Brand Autopsy) | October 12, 2006 at 02:44 PM