Working Up

by Dwayne Phillips

There is the great idea, then there is the great execution that brings the idea to fruition. In my experience, the idea is greatly over valued.

I worked 28 years inside government. I was bombarded with examples of, “Oh, so-and-so is a great idea person. We need you to work all the little details to make it work. We’re moving the idea person on to the next great idea.”

Sigh.

Here is my government-born-definition of an idea person

A person with enough friends in high places who allow the idea person to get by without ever finishing anything.

Often, people who can finish things are called in to clean up the mess left by the idea person. These idea persons are scorned by the few persons who actually understand what is happening.

Everyone has ideas. Not everyone has well-placed friends who cover up bone-headed actions during the execution phase.