Abandon Quote by Bob Sutton
“When Chuck House wanted to develop the oscilloscope for HP, David Packard told him to abandon the project. Chuck went on "vacation" and came back with $2 million in orders. Packard later gave him an award inscribed with an accolade for "extraordinary contempt and defiance beyond the normal call of engineering."”
About This Quote
Source Book: The No Asshole Rule by Robert I. Sutton, 2007
Packard dismissed an innovative idea, yet persistence turned it into a lucrative success, highlighting the power of defiance against short‑sighted authority.
In simple terms: Persistence can turn rejection into success.
Key Takeaway
Persist despite opposition.
Themes
innovation
defiance
leadership
entrepreneurship
risk taking
Mood
determined
inspirational
Type
business
motivational
When to use this quote
- product development
- startup culture
- corporate innovation
Key Concepts
creative persistence
organizational dynamics
strategic risk
Questions to Reflect On
- When is it wise to challenge authority?
- How can you balance persistence with teamwork?
A Different Perspective
Defying authority can damage relationships and may not always yield results.
![“He [Steve Jobs] had come from the surplus electronics parts world.So he came from that world, and he said let's sell PC boards for $40. We'll build them for $20 and sell them for $40.” quote by Steve Wozniak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/078/steve-wozniak-2527_boards_he-steve-jobs-had-come-from-the-surplus_150209.jpg)
