--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Those who see what's obvious aren't…" description: "\"Those who see what's obvious aren't necessarily brighter than others. They're just more likely to observe that the emperor is naked. Like children, the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77c/richard-farson-57004_adults_those-who-see-what-s-obvious-aren-t-nece_1146805.png" --- # Those who see what's obvious aren't necessarily brighter… ![“Those who see what's obvious aren't necessarily brighter than others. They're just more likely to observe that the emperor is naked. Like children, they see what's actually there. Their perceptions are less clouded by belief systems, taboos, habits of thought. One responsibility of management--an…” quote by Richard Farson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77c/richard-farson-57004_adults_those-who-see-what-s-obvious-aren-t-nece_1146805.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77c/richard-farson-57004_adults_those-who-see-what-s-obvious-aren-t-nece_1146805.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77c/richard-farson-57004_adults_those-who-see-what-s-obvious-aren-t-nece_1146805.png) > “Those who see what's obvious aren't necessarily brighter than others. They're just more likely to observe that the emperor is naked. Like children, they see what's actually there. Their perceptions are less clouded by belief systems, taboos, habits of thought. One responsibility of management--an important one--is to call attention to the invisible obvious, pointing it out as a child does (sometimes to the embarrassment of adults). Doing so also requires supporting employees who take that risk, too, and other risks as well.” [Richard Farson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-farson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Seeing obvious truths requires childlike perception free from biases; managers should highlight these hidden obviousities and protect those who expose them. **In simple terms:** Clear insight needs unbiased, childlike view. Key Takeaway Encourage simple, unbiased observation. Themes leadership observation bias communication Mood thoughtful encouraging Type leadership philosophical When to use this quote - team meetings - performance reviews - innovation workshops Key Concepts cognitive bias organizational culture risk taking Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance childlike curiosity with expert knowledge? - What systems can protect whistleblowers? A Different Perspective It may undervalue expertise and experience. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adults](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adults/) [Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) [Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Belief systems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief-systems/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Curiosity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/curiosity/) [Embarrassment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/embarrassment/) [Emperor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emperor/) [Employee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/employee/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Habit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habit/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Management](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/management/) [Perception](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perception/) [Responsibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/responsibility/) [Risk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/risk/) [Taboo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taboo/) [Vision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vision/) ## Related quotes > [Nothing is as invisible as the obvious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-farson/nothing-is-as-invisible-as-the-obvious/) [Richard Farson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-farson/) > [“So far as we know, the tiny fragments of the universe embodied in man are the only centers of thought and responsibility in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-polanyi/so-far-as-we-know-the-tiny-fragments-of-the-universe-embodied-in-man/) [Michael Polanyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-polanyi/) > [What is like a smelly fart, that, although invisible is obvious? 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