Courage Quote by Gary Klein
““I still observe executives exhibiting the same lack of courage or knowledge that undercut previous waves of innovation. They declare that they want more innovation but then ask, ‘Who else is doing it?’ They claim to seek new ideas but shoot down every one brought to them.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on Innovation Leadership, 2019
Executives often claim to want innovation but lack the courage and knowledge to support it, leading to dismissive behavior toward new ideas.
In simple terms: Leaders say they want innovation but block new ideas.
Key Takeaway
Encourage genuine curiosity and risk‑taking in leadership.
Themes
leadership
innovation
risk
culture
decision‑making
Mood
skeptical
reflective
motivational
Type
advice
observational
critical
When to use this quote
- board meetings
- strategy sessions
- product development
- team brainstorming
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
psychology of innovation
organizational inertia
Questions to Reflect On
- How can leaders demonstrate true openness to new ideas?
- What structures can protect innovative proposals from premature dismissal?
A Different Perspective
Leaders may fear failure or loss of control, limiting openness to ideas.
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