Wizard or Prophet?
Seth Godin recommended reading ‘The Wizard and the Prophet’ by Charles C Mann. It’s the tale of two men: William Vogt (Prophet) and Norman Borlaug (Wizard) and how their polar opposite views of the world influence the choices we must make today to impact the four huge challenges we face: food, water, energy and climate change.
I declare my bias, I’m firmly in the Wizard camp – in simple terms I believe that humankind has the ability to solve the problems, albeit the Prophet’s argument is hard to ignore at times, (that resources are finite and that we must ration/conserve).
Indeed, following the development and recent launch of the James Webb telescope, I’m inspired yet again by what we are capable of accomplishing. My sense is that no matter how big the problem, humankind will find the solution, (but of course, I accept many will find my viewpoint naive).
Whilst Charles C Mann wrestles with the life enhancing/threatening issues of our time, my sense is that the same debate, and options, can be applied to business too.
Right now, many business people tend to be in one of two camps:
1. Our world is in a mess… Covid, Brexit, health service and education failures, inept/corrupt politicians/officials – this is not the time to pioneer and innovate. We should conserve what we have, tread and trade carefully. Take each day as it comes.
2. Our world has never had such opportunity. There are so many problems to sort out. People have reevaluated their lives like never before, and concluded they want different, bigger, faster, better. We should innovate, develop our product and service proposition at a far accelerated rate. Build now for the future.
Of course, one is tempted to consider having a foot in each camp, but as The Wizard and the Prophet highlights, and for that matter as with many significant life experiences, it’s just not possible. Fudging the issue just results in fudged outcomes.
Everyone of us has options and we need to choose: Wizard or Prophet?
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