Four Insights Into Great Innovation From Ernest Hemingway
Posted by Plish on September 7, 2012
Courtesy of PBS.org. Click on the picture to read about Hemingway.
“The best people possess a feeling for beauty, the courage to take risks, the discipline to tell the truth, the capacity for sacrifice.”–Ernest Hemingway
I came across the above quote from Hemingway and it dawned on me how you could substitute “Innovators” for “The best people”, and it still make sense.
This quote is a great reminder that without…
…a feeling of beauty, there is nothing to inspire us to create more beauty.
…courage to take risks, great innovations are never achieved.
…the discipline to tell the truth, there is nothing upon which relationships with people and our environment can be built. Innovations occur when well-disciplined sharing of truth guides decision-making.
…a capacity to sacrifice, innovations often flounder in various facets of incompleteness. Sacrifice here is more than simply personal giving, it’s sacrificing short-term gains for long-term impact.
Do you think sustainable, enriching and kind innovations are possible without the above?
thoughtsontheatre said
A foundation for truly great innovation, yes. As for is innovation possible without them, maybe. But perhaps better to ask what can be added to these personality traits that could be the catalyst for even more creativity and invention.
Plish said
A much better question indeed!! What would you add?
thoughtsontheatre said
Perhaps an appreciation, a graciousness that allows one to be endlessly astounded by the life before us. That and a determination to get things done.
Plish said
I love the need for persistence (I like the word, “tenacious.”)
Wonder/curiosity/appreciation/graciousness…Yes!!!
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