"The task is... not so much to see what no one has yet seen; but to think what nobody has yet thought, about that which everybody sees."
[Arthur Schopenhauer]
"The key to success is to risk unconventional thoughts. Convention is the enemy of progress. As long as you've got slightly more perception than the average wrapped loaf, you could invent something."
[Trevor Boylis, Inventor]
"I criticize by creation - not by finding fault."
[Cicero]
Which quote do you identify with? What does that tell you about your style?
Trevor. Definitely Trevor.
And Cicero, but I had to re-read it a few times to truly get it.
Posted by: olivier blanchard | June 04, 2008 at 04:45 PM
Cicero.
Or at least I like to think so.
Posted by: Alan Wolk (The Toad Stool) | June 04, 2008 at 04:49 PM
@Oliver - on Twitter I have two Trevors, two Schopenhauers and now two Ciceros. That is balanced!
@Alan - I am biased, Cicero was a pre-Italian ;-) Cicero is for me, too.
Posted by: Valeria Maltoni | June 04, 2008 at 04:52 PM
A little of the first. But like the kid in Sixth Sense ... I "see dead people" (employees who don't know how to serve customers), and believe it's my mission to change things.
Posted by: Jeff Crites | June 04, 2008 at 04:55 PM
That is a new way of looking at the quote, too. I like it!
Posted by: Valeria Maltoni | June 04, 2008 at 05:05 PM
Today I am with Schopenhauer. Yesterday I was more Boylis. Tomorrow...Woody Allen.
Posted by: Martin | June 04, 2008 at 05:09 PM
I feel that imagination, determination and the willingness to fail is innovation:
"If you're not failing every now and again, it's a sign you're not doing anything very innovative."
Woody Allen
Posted by: Ron West | June 04, 2008 at 08:05 PM
@Martin - that is very creative of your, and it demonstrates adaptability. I like that! Plus, you have a good sense of humor, which always helps ;-)
@Rn - I just received a copy of "Bounce" by Barry Moltz about failure, resiliency, and confidence to achieve your next great success. Two Woody Allens in a row!
Posted by: Valeria Maltoni | June 04, 2008 at 08:31 PM
I'd have to go with Trevor, since I'm pretty sure I have "slightly more perception than the average wrapped loaf." Hopefully. :-\
Posted by: Robert Hruzek | June 04, 2008 at 08:35 PM
Thought you might like to know that the first quote, attributed to Schroediger, is actually by Arthur Schopenhauer
http://www.cafepress.com/philosophy_shop.44141772
It is a quote that I have used for years in presentations about innovation and discovery the "white space"
Posted by: Bill | June 06, 2008 at 02:58 PM
Thank you, Bill. It has been corrected.
Posted by: Valeria Maltoni | June 06, 2008 at 03:17 PM
I think I've got to go with the Schopenhauer quote. =).
Posted by: Derrick Kwa | June 07, 2008 at 01:56 AM