Words of Wisdom: Most Effective Business Quotes

Posted on March 22, 2012 by instituteB

With an in house Director of Mojofication at institute B, we’re lucky to be imparted with words of wisdom on a regular basis. Below is one of our favourite Bix Bickson quotes:

“Every breakthrough in the history of human kind, every breakthrough in your life started with someone standing on their own two feet and saying something is possible.”

This is so easy to forget yet so crucial to remember. At its essence business, entrepreneurship is about creating something in the world…hopefully something that’s good for the world. We are the only species on the planet that can create an idea and act from that idea…cool eh?

But who does Bix look to for direction, well he explained that this statement has stuck with him in all of his consulting experience with corporations of all sizes:

“It is never enough just to tell people about some new insight. Rather you have to get them to experience it in a new way that evokes its power and possibility. Instead of pouring knowledge into people’s heads, you need to help them grind a new set of eyeglasses so they can see the world in a new way.

That involves challenging the implicit assumptions that have shaped the way people have historically looked at things. It requires new communication techniques that actually get people to experience the implications of a new innovation”

John Selley Brown Research That Reinvents the Corporation

Not long ago you had to hunt down the few books on management and leadership. Now there is aisle upon aisle overflowing with these. And yet, this is the big yet, the missing ingredient is grinding a new set of eyeglasses.

Executives and managers stand in front of rooms, broadcast videos, send emails all expounding the changes that must happen for the business to succeed, to grow, to change. People listen to the person in front of the room, the videos and read the emails yet it doesn’t have them see the world in a new way. Why? That involves challenging the implicit assumptions that have shaped the way people have historically looked at things. It requires new communication techniques that actually get people to experience the implications of a new innovation.

“If we are to deliver on our promise we much reach through the prevailing cynicism and resignation of our time and kindle within ourselves and those around us a spirit that brings the insight and inventiveness to create the future.” - Bix Bickson

Yes, this is your job if you are in business. The prevailing cynicism is easy to be lulled into. People will always tell us what isn’t working, did not work and cannot work. An entrepreneur knows, trains themselves everyday, engages with others to continue to reach through this and kindle within themselves and those around them a spirit that brings the insight and inventiveness to create the future.