From Authority to Merit: The Power of Believing in Your Own Ideas

From Authority to Merit: The Power of Believing in Your Own Ideas

In the world of business and entrepreneurship, there is a common belief that authority and merit go hand in hand. If you have to rely on someone else's name or authority to prove your point, then there is little merit to the argument. It suggests that you may not even believe in the idea yourself. Instead, true authority comes from the merit and value of the work itself.

This concept can be seen in the story of Ben Silbermann, the co-founder of Pinterest. Before Pinterest became the popular platform we know today, it started as an app called Tote. The initial idea was to create a mobile catalog for shoppers, allowing them to browse and save their favorite items. However, there was a major flaw in the app - it didn't offer an easy way for users to make purchases.

While this flaw threatened the existence of Tote, Silbermann noticed something interesting. Users were not using the app to make purchases, but rather to amass collections of their favorite items to share with friends. This observation sparked a childhood memory for Silbermann, who remembered his tendency to share his insect collection with others. He saw an opportunity in people's natural inclination to share their collections and decided to pivot the app towards this concept.

Silbermann's pitch to Brian Cohen, an investor, was concise and impactful. Cohen was initially busy and asked for a short pitch, but Silbermann's description of customers' needs resonated with him. In just 15 seconds, Silbermann convinced Cohen to invest in the idea. This demonstrates the power of presenting a clear and compelling argument based on the merit of the idea itself.

The pivot from Tote to Pinterest was not a radical shift, but rather an iterative one. Silbermann learned from the flaws and limitations of Tote and used that knowledge to create something even better. He recognized the fragmented nature of existing sites that allowed people to display virtual collections and saw an opportunity to provide a visually appealing platform for showcasing all types of collections.

This transformation from Tote to Pinterest was driven by Silbermann's belief in the unmet need and the huge opportunity it presented. He didn't rely on external authorities or names to validate his idea. Instead, he focused on the merit of the concept and the value it could bring to users.

So, what can we learn from this story? Firstly, it is essential to believe in your own ideas and focus on showing the work and merit behind them. If you have to rely on someone else's authority, it may indicate a lack of confidence in your own beliefs. Secondly, when presenting your ideas, be concise and impactful. Capture the essence of your concept in a brief pitch that resonates with your audience. And finally, embrace iteration and learn from the flaws and limitations of your previous ventures. Use that knowledge to pivot and create something even better.