Working Up

by Dwayne Phillips

Great ideas have a different and necessary perspective when I look at another person and say the words aloud.

The man with 30 years experience and accolades as an expert in his field sat across the table from me. He looked me in the eye and, before he opened his mouth, had that expression saying, “I can’t believe I thought this was a good idea.”

He paused, grinned a little, and told me that the idea didn’t seem so good now, but he told me what it was. His expression was correct. It was an awful idea, but he didn’t realize it until that key moment sitting across the table.

(1) I write it on a napkin. I write it in my journal. I write it on the white board. I polish it in a word processor.

(2) I look another person in the eye, open my mouth, and say the words aloud.

Actions (1) and (2) are different—vastly different. I must do (2) before I take it seriously. I should do (2) before I spend large amounts of resources on the idea. That is prudent. Step (2) is essential.

All the great thoughts appear differently when we look at another person and say the words aloud.