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This One Word Will Always Stifle Creativity
Apple’s iconic founder, Steve Jobs, often quipped that “saying no to a thousand things” allows entrepreneurs to concentrate talent and improve results on just a few projects. He demonstrated this in 1997 when he returned to Apple after a long absence and immediately slashed the number of products from 350 to 10. Within two years, the company was laser-focused on a handful of innovative projects, leading the company from near death to become the most valuable company in the world.
Jobs’ credo and profound effect on Apple is difficult to ignore. Getting caught up in saying “no” to every project and idea, however, is a surefire way of shutting down the creative spigot that drives all great entrepreneurs.
Consider a personal experience I had with a colleague, who pitched an idea for a new product a few years ago. The idea did not fit in with our product plans or our company goals, so I immediately balked at the idea without even giving it a second thought. Knowing me, he asked that I take a little time and allow it percolate.
He said, “You can say ‘no’ — but just not yet.”
After considering this for a second, I realized that I was becoming one of those guys who defaulted to “no” whenever a new idea came across my desk. I was becoming the same person I loathed for their ability to stifle another…
