What can the Amish barn-raising teach us about big ideas
Teamwork might work in building an Amish barn, but it can’t create a Big Idea.
The accepted system for the creation of innovative thinking in a democratic environment is to work cooperatively in a team like ambience. Don’t believe it. Whatever the creative industry, when you’re confronted with the challenge of coming up with a Big Idea, always work with the most talented, innovative mind available. Hopefully…that’s you.
Avoid group grope and analysis paralysis. The greatest innovative thinker of our age remains Steve Jobs, a modern-day Henry Ford. Jobs was not a consensus builder but a dictator who listened to his own intuitions, blessed with an astonishing aesthetic sense.
Everybody believes in co-creativity — not me.
Be confident of your own, edgy, solo talent.
Once you’ve got the Big Idea, that’s where teamwork comes in — selling the Big Idea, producing the Big Idea, and bringing the Big Idea into fruition.
_ _ _
That’s not me talking.
That’s George Lois, one of the 20th century’s most accomplished ad men talking in his remarkable book Damn Good Advice.
Image via GeorgeLois.com
Here’s a little taste:
Image via GeorgeLois.com
My 2¢:
Should you consider taking George Lois’ advice?
Before you answer that question, listen to this:
“If I hadn’t taken George Lois’ damn good advice 25 years ago, I’d probably be poor today.”
— Tommy Hilfiger