When once the inch of literature comes over a man, nothing can cure it but the scratching of a pen........(Samuel Lover, Irish writer 1797-1868)
Intellect is not enough. Though possessing an elevated IQ make good dinner discussion, it is insufficient to build a great business. Indeed, intelligence as something of a commodity.
What separates average leaders from great ones isn’t horsepower but less tangible properties like obsession, commitment and energy. These entrepreneurs not only have the brains to innovate but the grit to execute.
Energy positivity. Anyone building anything sufficiently difficult needs to sell and galvanize people around them. They interact with more enthusiastism and excitement about an idea. But it is not just talk. They have immense clarity and urgency in their thinking. They understand what needs to be done, the key risks and milestones.
Innovation refers to the creative and forward-thinking aspect of a project or endeavor. It involves coming up with new ideas, approaches, and solutions to problems. Innovation is about pushing the boundaries, thinking outside the box, and staying ahead of the curve. Without innovation, a business or individual can become stagnant and fall behind the competition.
Execution is the practical and disciplined side of the equation. It involves taking the innovative ideas and actually implementing them effectively. Execution is about planning, organizing, and delivering on the promises made through innovation. Without strong execution, even the most brilliant ideas can remain unrealized.
The key is to strike a balance between these two elements. Too much innovation without execution can lead to a lot of great ideas but no tangible results. On the other hand, excessive focus on execution without innovation can lead to stagnation and missed opportunities for improvement and growth.
In essence, "innovate but execute" suggests that to be successful, one should not only generate new ideas and concepts but also be able to put them into action effectively. It's a reminder that both creativity and discipline are essential for achieving one's goals.
Consider these Headlines:
- Daily active users on X have fallen by 16% since Musk took it over. Advertising revenue is down 54%.
- In 2021 Google paid $26bn to be the default search engine on web browsers and mobile phones.
- OpenAI is negotiating a deal potentially valuing it at $80 billion, positioning it as San Francisco’s highest-valued startup.
The question then becomes: Does the capital and appetite for risk involved make this difficult for smaller entities?
See You at The Top
