William Coyne headed research and development at 3M—the…
““William Coyne headed research and development at 3M—the company behind Ace bandages, Post-it notes, Scotch tape, and other inventions—for over a decade. Shortly after retiring, Coyne spoke to a group of hundreds of executives about innovation at 3M and his own management style. He said he’d started at 3M as a researcher and learned firsthand how well-meaning but nosy executives who proffer too many questions and suggestions can undermine creative work. So when he became head of R&D, he was determined to allow his teams to work for long stretches, unfettered by intrusions from higher-ups. Coyne understood his colleagues’ curiosity; if successful, an R&D project could generate millions in new revenue. But he limited their interference (and his own) because, he said, “After you plant a seed in the ground, you don’t dig it up every week to see how it is doing.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Excessive managerial questioning stifles innovation; leaders should give teams uninterrupted time to develop ideas.
In simple terms: Too many questions hinder creative work; give space.
Key Takeaway
Allow focused, uninterrupted work periods.
Themes
innovation
leadership
creativity
management
productivity
Mood
practical
analytical
Type
business
advisory
When to use this quote
- R&D labs
- startup teams
- creative projects
- product development
Key Concepts
psychology of work
organizational behavior
focus theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you protect creative time?
- When should leaders intervene?
A Different Perspective
Balancing oversight with autonomy can be challenging.