What do Original thinkers look like? Procrastinators, full of doubt and fear and tons of bad ideas.
Sounds counterintuitive? Research is throwing up different perspectives on the common perceptions of people who evoke skepticism. First movers are overrated and fail 45% of the times while people who follow and improve upon an idea do so only 8% of the times. Proactivity may deliver for productivity but procrastination provides the space for enhanced creativity.
Adam Grant, well known professor from Wharton wrote the book on Originals and shares his findings in his entertaining TED talk. If you haven’t heard it yet do invest this 15 mins asap. According to his study he found Originals thinkers to be typically- late to the party (moderate procrastinators), feels doubt (about the idea, not self) and fear and have lots of bad ideas. What endures however are the successes – not the bad ideas.
In his book Originals he outlines that entrepreneurs should expect VC’s to be cynical and question every little flaw. His suggestion? Point out them yourself and they will come up with the possible solutions (which happened in case of Babble and Disney). Being upfront about problems show you as open, aware and honest.
Link to Adam Grant’s website – https://www.adamgrant.net/ and the Book Originals – https://www.adamgrant.net/originals
