Attitude Quote by Edwin Catmull
“We need business leaders who have a respect for technical issues even if they don't have technical backgrounds. In a lot of U.S. industries, including cars and even computers, many managers don't think of technology as a core competency, and this attitude leads them to farm out technical issues.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on leadership, 2010
Leaders should value technical expertise even without a technical background, as ignoring it can harm core competency.
In simple terms: Leaders need respect for tech.
Key Takeaway
Respect tech, avoid outsourcing core issues.
Themes
leadership
technology
management
competency
Mood
thoughtful
concerned
Type
advisory
strategic
When to use this quote
- product development
- manufacturing
- IT strategy
- cross‑functional teams
Key Concepts
technical literacy
strategic alignment
Questions to Reflect On
- How can non‑technical leaders stay informed about tech trends?
- What processes ensure technical decisions are vetted?
A Different Perspective
Technical issues may be too complex for non‑technical leaders to oversee effectively.
