Category Archives: External links

#147 We are all curators

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I am not sure how many of us have truly original ideas. Once you research a body of knowledge, you’ll find that everything that needs to be said about a subject has been said, the ones who say it later, are just saying it differently. Truly “breakthrough ideas” are few and far between, the ones that are really “something out of nothing.”

Does anyone really “invent” anything or do we all “discover?” The practical application of the question is, when you have an insight, don’t go running thru the streets, naked like Archimedes, shouting “Eureka!” Take the time to find out if others have had the insight before you. It is more realistic to acknowledge that you were not first with the idea, but you can claim credit to be the first to present it in an interesting, simplified, and practical way.

There is a huge market for folks who can execute. The supply of true innovators is very limited. The invention itself does not produce value. It is the hard work to convert the invention to a useful solution, and make something happen, that produces value.

So… if you don’t have an original idea, don’t feel bad. Become a curator! Be sure to study copyright laws and don’t plagiarize.

Be a curator of your own thoughts. Well researched and experienced based insights will always be respected over the rant of individuals who lack self awareness.

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#146 Speak up!

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The world is an uncertain place. Anything that happens to make things look worse is annoying, and even frustrating. How you communicate will decide whether your audience thinks you are giving good news or bad news, whether they will listen to what you have to say, and whether they will believe in you. Anything that makes the world look better is not necessarily a cause for celebration, but don’t over think this.

When I was reading Carol A. Fleming’s book, I was struck by how much easier it would be and how much faster things would move in the workplace if we all just communicate with confidence.

If you are tense or hesitant when you communicate, your audience will conclude one of two things.

  • There must be something wrong, so they tend to get tense and hesitant.
  • They sense you are not very confident. This will evoke a range of emotions, ranging from mistrust, irritation, to downright anger.

Just as some people use heart monitors when jogging, every person in the workplace should be given a device that can be work on the wrist, showing how their voice is coming across to their listeners. Now that is a product idea! Wonder if there is an app for that…

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