Ron Friedman || Reverse Engineering Greatness

7 snips

Sep 9, 2021

Ron Friedman, an award-winning social psychologist and author of 'Decoding Greatness', shares insights on reverse engineering success. He explains how analyzing the achievements of others can enhance creativity more than relying on raw talent. The discussion covers the Ritz-Carlton's 'scoreboard principle' for customer satisfaction, the balance between originality and imitation, and the role of deliberate practice in mastering skills. Friedman emphasizes that courageous risk-taking and strategic learning pave the way for personal growth and achievement.

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ANECDOTE

Xerox Alto Story

Steve Jobs accused Bill Gates of stealing Apple's ideas for Windows.
Gates retorted that they both took inspiration from Xerox's underutilized technology.

INSIGHT

Copying vs. Evolving

Simply copying a successful formula often fails due to unique individual traits and shifting audience expectations.
Evolve existing ideas and combine elements for greater success.

INSIGHT

Algorithms and Collections

Algorithms like Tinder reveal hidden patterns by analyzing user preferences.
Similarly, collecting resonant examples helps uncover key ingredients in extraordinary work for reverse engineering.

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