Business Quote by Ed Catmull
““In most companies, you have to justify so much of what you do—to prepare for quarterly earnings statements if the company is publicly traded or, if it is not, to build support for your decisions. I believe, however, that you should not be required to justify everything. We must always leave the door open for the unexpected. Scientific research operates in this way—when you embark on an experiment, you don’t know if you will achieve a breakthrough. Chances are, you won’t. But nevertheless, you may stumble on a piece of the puzzle along the way—a glimpse, if you will, into the unknown.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Pixar Leadership Talk, 2014
We should avoid over‑justifying routine work, allowing space for surprise discoveries like in scientific research.
In simple terms: Leave room for unexpected breakthroughs.
Key Takeaway
Embrace uncertainty, protect creative freedom.
Themes
creativity
innovation
risk
management
Mood
curious
optimistic
Type
leadership
inspirational
When to use this quote
- product development
- research labs
- strategic planning
- team meetings
Key Concepts
systems thinking
emergent discovery
organizational culture
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you create processes that balance accountability with freedom?
- What small experiments could reveal hidden opportunities?
A Different Perspective
Too much justification can stifle spontaneity and slow progress.
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