of Seth's Tribes (2)
How To Be Wrong
John Zogby, the successful pollster, was completely, utterly wrong about Al Gore in Florida. By ten points. And he was wrong about John Kerry, and wrong about his prediction for the New Hampshire primaries in 2008. But notice that I said "successful pollster," not "disgraced pollster." If he wasn't willing to be wrong, he'd be unable to be right as often as he is.
Issac Newton was totally, fantastically wrong about alchemy, the branch of science he spent most of his career on. He as wrong as a scientist could be. And yet,he's widely regarded as the most successful scientist and mathematician ever.
Steve Jobs was wrong about the Apple III, wrong about the NeXT Computer, wrong about the Newton. Insanely wrong. You know the rest.
The secret of being wrong isn't to avoid being wrong!
The secret is being willing to be wrong.
The secret is realizing that wrong isn't fatal.
The only thing that makes people and organization great is their willingness to be not great along the way. The desire to fail on the way to reaching a bigger goal is the untold secret of success.
I've been waiting for you to ask for the shortcut, the error-free, failure-free way to get people to do what you want, to make change happen without risk or fear, to magically alter the status quo. That, after all, is the best way to sell you on the ideas here. If I could just give you the answer, you'd be leading a tribe right now.
The honest answer is: There isn't an easy way. It isn't easy for middle mangers or CEOs or heretics. The truth is that they appear to risk everything, but in fact, the risk isn't so bad. The downsides are pretty small because few of us are likely to get burned at the stake.
The secret of leadership is simple: Do what you believe in. Paint a picture of the future. Go there.
People will follow.
Issac Newton was totally, fantastically wrong about alchemy, the branch of science he spent most of his career on. He as wrong as a scientist could be. And yet,he's widely regarded as the most successful scientist and mathematician ever.
Steve Jobs was wrong about the Apple III, wrong about the NeXT Computer, wrong about the Newton. Insanely wrong. You know the rest.
The secret of being wrong isn't to avoid being wrong!
The secret is being willing to be wrong.
The secret is realizing that wrong isn't fatal.
The only thing that makes people and organization great is their willingness to be not great along the way. The desire to fail on the way to reaching a bigger goal is the untold secret of success.
I've been waiting for you to ask for the shortcut, the error-free, failure-free way to get people to do what you want, to make change happen without risk or fear, to magically alter the status quo. That, after all, is the best way to sell you on the ideas here. If I could just give you the answer, you'd be leading a tribe right now.
The honest answer is: There isn't an easy way. It isn't easy for middle mangers or CEOs or heretics. The truth is that they appear to risk everything, but in fact, the risk isn't so bad. The downsides are pretty small because few of us are likely to get burned at the stake.
The secret of leadership is simple: Do what you believe in. Paint a picture of the future. Go there.
People will follow.
artsy-fartsly posted by da s0ul_reap3r @ 11:59 PM
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