Decoding Greatness Quotes

“Successful entrepreneurs also excel at something else: pattern recognition. They possess an extraordinary capacity for identifying profitable opportunities by linking successes they’ve observed in the past with changes now taking place in the market.”
― Ron Friedman, Decoding Greatness: How the Best in the World Reverse Engineer Success

“Any metric that seizes your attention but doesn’t contribute to your health, well-being, or career is ultimately a distraction.”
― Ron Friedman, Decoding Greatness: How the Best in the World Reverse Engineer Success

“British philosopher Alain de Botton relishes this perspective and argues that it explains a great deal. For one thing, de Botton suggests, it clarifies why some cultures are drawn to lavish, opulent decors (he cites the Russians and Saudis as examples) while others prefer clean, simple design (such as those popular in Scandinavian countries). Both are a reaction to historical conditions. The Russians and Saudis endured decades of economic deprivation, and since extravagant interiors represent the opposite of poverty, they favor ostentatious decor. (A similar case has been made for the enthusiastic display of gold chains, rings, and teeth that are fashionable among newly successful rappers.) Scandinavians, on the other hand, were raised in relative financial security and do not share a desire for visual reminders of wealth. Instead, they favor calm, peaceful interiors as an antidote to the overstimulation of everyday life.”
― Ron Friedman, Decoding Greatness: How the Best in the World Reverse Engineer Success

“His response captures what might be the ideal formula for popular appeal: “It’s derivative with a twist. That’s what they’re looking for.” In other words, if outright mimicry leads us nowhere and absolute novelty is met with scorn, the solution is to steer clear of both extremes. What gets noticed is the generally familiar with a minor variation. Karim Lakhani, one of the Harvard Business School professors who conducted the grant study, has another term for this: optimal newness.”
― Ron Friedman, Decoding Greatness: How the Best in the World Reverse Engineer Success