Get Started
Home Authors Tags

"La innovación nunca viene de las instituciones establecidas."

Eric schmidt
Eric schmidt Software Engineer, Businessman
Translations
🇺🇸 English 🇨🇳 中文 🇪🇸 Español 🇪🇬 العربية 🇫🇷 Français 🇮🇷 فارسی 🇯🇵 日本語
Quote meaning
Innovation often sprouts from the fringes and not the heart of established institutions. Think about it—when was the last time a groundbreaking idea truly came from a large, bureaucratic organization? It's rare. Let's break it down. Big institutions are typically focused on maintaining their status quo. They've got systems and processes that resist change. They’re like massive ships, tough to turn quickly. Real innovation, on the other hand, often requires agility, risk-taking, and the willingness to fail—all things big institutions struggle with.

Take a look at history. The tech world is full of examples where the big players missed the boat. Remember Blockbuster? They had the chance to buy Netflix when it was just starting, but they didn't believe in the potential of streaming. At that time, Blockbuster was an established institution in the video rental industry. They were raking in profits from late fees and had stores in nearly every town. They couldn't imagine a world where people didn't need to leave their homes to rent a movie. But Netflix, a small, agile startup at the time, saw the future and seized it. Now, Netflix is a giant, and Blockbuster is a nostalgic memory.

Think about the advice you'd give to someone inspired by this idea. If you're looking to innovate, don't wait for permission from the big guys. Start small. Be nimble. Focus on solving a problem in a new way. You don't need a massive budget or a big team—just a good idea and the willingness to see it through. It’s about taking that leap of faith and being comfortable with uncertainty.

Imagine this scenario: Sarah, a young entrepreneur, works in a big corporation. She's got a brilliant idea for a new software that could revolutionize their customer service. She pitches it to her managers, but they shoot it down. They’re too focused on their current systems and processes to consider something so radical. Frustrated but undeterred, Sarah decides to pursue her idea on her own. She spends nights and weekends developing her software. After months of hard work, she launches it on a small scale. It works brilliantly, and soon she’s got several small businesses using her software. Word spreads, and before long, she's got a thriving company.

Sarah’s story is a prime example. She didn't let the inertia of the big corporation stop her. She took the initiative and created something new and valuable. And this can be you too. It's about having that drive and the courage to step outside the comfort zone of established systems.

So, the next time you're sitting in a meeting and someone shoots down a creative idea because "that's not how we do things here," remember: Innovation rarely comes from the heart of the establishment. It comes from the edges, from those willing to challenge the norm. Don't be afraid to be that person. Start small, be persistent, and who knows? You might just change the world.
Related tags
Breakthroughs Change Creativity Disruption Entrepreneurship Innovation New ideas Nonconformity Progress
MORE QUOTES BY Eric schmidt
FEATURED QUOTES
Surprise me with another quote
Instagram Icon Facebook Icon X Icon Threads Icon