Scale vs. Speed: Why organizations slow down and How to Find Your Hidden Creative Genius

Scale vs. Speed: Why organizations slow down and How to Find Your Hidden Creative Genius

In the fast-paced world of business and creativity, there seems to be a constant battle between scale and speed. Organizations strive to grow and expand, but often find themselves slowing down as they reach a certain level of success. On the other hand, individuals in creative fields search for their hidden genius, but often struggle to find the right path to success. Surprisingly, these two seemingly unrelated topics share some common points and valuable insights.

One common factor that emerges is the importance of consistency and predictability. As organizations grow and attract more customers, the expectations of those customers shift. They no longer crave constant innovation and disruption, but rather want promises kept, reliability, and efficiency. By shipping improvements on a regular schedule and bringing predictability to their offerings, organizations can reach more people and make a bigger impact. This shift in customer expectations aligns with the findings of a study that tracked the ages of Nobel Prize winners, inventors, and scientists. The study revealed that most groundbreaking work peaked during the late thirties, at least a full decade into any individual's career.

This notion of a "ten years of silence" resonates with both organizations and individuals. It signifies a period of hard work and little recognition, where the foundations for greatness are laid. Whether you are a composer or a scientist, creativity is not something you are born with or without. It is discovered, honed, and improved through real work and persistence. In any creative endeavor, it is crucial to give yourself permission to create junk. Amateurs create when they feel inspired, but professionals create on a schedule. Chuck Close, a renowned artist, once said, "Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just show up and get to work." This mindset emphasizes the importance of practicing your craft over and over again. No single act will uncover more creative genius than forcing yourself to create consistently.

Another valuable insight is the power of accountability and sharing your work publicly. Both organizations and individuals benefit from this practice. For organizations, sharing their work holds them accountable to creating their best work and provides feedback for improvement. It also inspires and connects with others, driving them to care more about what they create. Similarly, individuals who share their creative work publicly open themselves up to feedback and improvement. They also overcome the fear of obscurity, realizing that the risk of piracy is often overestimated compared to the price of remaining unknown.

So, how can organizations and individuals apply these insights to their own journeys? Here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Embrace predictability and consistency: For organizations, focus on shipping improvements on a regular schedule and bringing predictability to your offerings. This will help build trust with customers and reach a wider audience. For individuals, commit to a schedule that allows you to consistently work on your craft. Whether it's writing, painting, or coding, show up every day and create something.

2. Embrace the "ten years of silence": Understand that greatness takes time and perseverance. Whether you're leading an organization or pursuing a creative career, be prepared for a period of hard work and little recognition. Use this time to hone your skills and lay the foundation for future success.

3. Embrace accountability and sharing: Organizations should share their work publicly to hold themselves accountable and gather feedback for improvement. Individuals should also share their creative work, whether it's through a blog, social media, or local events. This will help them connect with others, receive valuable feedback, and inspire themselves to create their best work.

In conclusion, the journey to success in both organizations and creative pursuits requires a balance between scale and speed, as well as consistency and predictability. By embracing these principles and applying the actionable advice provided, organizations can navigate the challenges of growth and individuals can unlock their hidden creative genius. Remember, inspiration reveals itself only after perspiration, so keep showing up and doing the work.