Business Quote by Robert I. Sutton
““William Coyne headed research and development at 3M—the company behind Ace bandages, Post-it notes, Scotch tape, and other inventions—for over a decade. Shortly after retiring, Coyne spoke to a group of hundreds of executives about innovation at 3M and his own management style. He said he’d started at 3M as a researcher and learned firsthand how well-meaning but nosy executives who proffer too many questions and suggestions can undermine creative work. So when he became head of R&D, he was determined to allow his teams to work for long stretches, unfettered by intrusions from higher-ups. Coyne understood his colleagues’ curiosity; if successful, an R&D project could generate millions in new revenue. But he limited their interference (and his own) because, he said, “After you plant a seed in the ground, you don’t dig it up every week to see how it is doing.””
About This Quote
Source Book: “The Knowing‑Do Gap” by Robert I. Sutton, 2009
Excessive managerial questioning stifles innovation; leaders should give teams uninterrupted time to develop ideas.
In simple terms: Too many questions hinder creative work; give space.
Key Takeaway
Allow focused, uninterrupted work periods.
Themes
innovation
leadership
creativity
management
productivity
Mood
practical
analytical
Type
business
advisory
When to use this quote
- R&D labs
- startup teams
- creative projects
- product development
Key Concepts
psychology of work
organizational behavior
focus theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you protect creative time?
- When should leaders intervene?
A Different Perspective
Balancing oversight with autonomy can be challenging.
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