The experience reminds me of a favorite saying: Most of…
“The experience reminds me of a favorite saying: Most of the yield from research efforts comes from the coal that is mined while looking for diamonds.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Research often yields valuable results not from the main goal but from side discoveries made during the search.
In simple terms: Unexpected findings can be more valuable than the intended outcome.
Value and findings, not just the target.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- lab experiments
- field studies
- product development
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can teams encourage serendipitous discoveries?
- What structures support learning from unexpected results?
Not all effort leads directly to the intended result; chance plays a role.