--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We should invest in people not ideas. A…" description: "\"We should invest in people not ideas. A good idea is often destroyed by bad people and good people can always make a bad idea better.\" — Simon Sinek" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b6c/simon-sinek-349_bad-idea_we-should-invest-in-people-not-ideas-a-g_921777.png" --- # We should invest in people not ideas. A good idea is often… ![“We should invest in people not ideas. A good idea is often destroyed by bad people and good people can always make a bad idea better.” quote by Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b6c/simon-sinek-349_bad-idea_we-should-invest-in-people-not-ideas-a-g_921777.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b6c/simon-sinek-349_bad-idea_we-should-invest-in-people-not-ideas-a-g_921777.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b6c/simon-sinek-349_bad-idea_we-should-invest-in-people-not-ideas-a-g_921777.png) > “We should invest in people not ideas. A good idea is often destroyed by bad people and good people can always make a bad idea better.” [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Investing in people yields better outcomes than investing in ideas alone. **In simple terms:** People matter more than ideas. Key Takeaway Prioritize human capital. Themes leadership people investment Mood inspirational practical Type advice business. When to use this quote - hiring - team building - startup funding - project planning Key Concepts human resources innovation management Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance people and ideas? - What traits make people good idea‑enhancers? A Different Perspective People can misuse ideas; ideas can inspire people. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bad idea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-idea/) [Bad ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-ideas/) [Bad people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-people/) [Good ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-ideas/) [Good people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-people/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Invest In People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/invest-in-people/) [Investing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/investing/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) ## Related quotes > [As a venture capitalist, I invest in people and ideas that are fresh, vibrant, and willing to disrupt the market. As a political donor,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-patricof/as-a-venture-capitalist-i-invest-in-people-and-ideas-that-are-fresh/) [Alan Patricof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-patricof/) > [“The problem, Mitch, is that we don't believe we are as much alike as we are. Whites and blacks, Catholics and Protestants, men and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/the-problem-mitch-is-that-we-don-t-believe-we-are-as-much-alike-as-we/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [When you invest in people and lift them toward their potential, they will love you for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/when-you-invest-in-people-and-lift-them-toward-their-potential-they/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) > [“Protect your space and circle. Invest in people who you know will feed you just as much goodness as you do them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-elle/protect-your-space-and-circle-invest-in-people-who-you-know-will-feed/) [Alexandra Elle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-elle/) > [The way we're really going to grow the economy is to invest in people, to invest in innovation, to have the federal government put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-lieberman/the-way-we-re-really-going-to-grow-the-economy-is-to-invest-in-people/) [Joe Lieberman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-lieberman/) > [In the past, wage hikes were viewed as a cost factor, but going forward, companies need to invest in people for the economy and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fumio-kishida/in-the-past-wage-hikes-were-viewed-as-a-cost-factor-but-going-forward/) [Fumio Kishida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fumio-kishida/) > [The richest people in the world build networks and invest in people; everyone else looks for work and invests in survival.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhishek-shukla/the-richest-people-in-the-world-build-networks-and-invest-in-people/) [Abhishek Shukla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhishek-shukla/) > [We have got to fully guarantee and fund the NDIS so we invest in people with disability so they can be the people they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-alcott/we-have-got-to-fully-guarantee-and-fund-the-ndis-so-we-invest-in/) [Dylan Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-alcott/) > [Invest in the human family. Invest in people. Build a little community of those you love and who love you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/invest-in-the-human-family-invest-in-people-build-a-little-community/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [“Invest money and you'll get a check. Invest in people and you'll get time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alin-sav/invest-money-and-you-ll-get-a-check-invest-in-people-and-you-ll-get/) [Alin Sav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alin-sav/) > [My number-one recommendation is to invest in people. Humans that are well trained are the inputs into this discovery process. And there's big opportunities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-romer/my-number-one-recommendation-is-to-invest-in-people-humans-that-are/) [Paul Romer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-romer/) > [Invest in people. Souls are eternal. Count your blessings, and share with someone less fortunate. Be a blessing to someone today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hussein-nishah/invest-in-people-souls-are-eternal-count-your-blessings-and-share/) [Hussein Nishah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hussein-nishah/) > [“If you invest in paper you get paper in return. If you invest in people you get love in return.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reuben-berger/if-you-invest-in-paper-you-get-paper-in-return-if-you-invest-in/) [Reuben Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reuben-berger/) > [Unless you invest in people, you are not going to see growth in the long term, the medium term, and maybe even the short…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-yong-kim/unless-you-invest-in-people-you-are-not-going-to-see-growth-in-the/) [Jim Yong Kim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-yong-kim/) > [“When you go to church, you are supposed to go to church to invest in people or to invest in yourself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/when-you-go-to-church-you-are-supposed-to-go-to-church-to-invest-in/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) ## More by Simon Sinek > [Notoriously outspoken, his sentences always punctuated with profanities, General George S. Patton was the epitome of what a leader should be like - or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/notoriously-outspoken-his-sentences-always-punctuated-with/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) > [“When you are with Marines gathering to eat, you will notice that the most junior are served first and the most senior are served…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/when-you-are-with-marines-gathering-to-eat-you-will-notice-that-the/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) > [A parent does not do everything for their kid. A parent that does everything for their kid produces a kid with no self-confidence. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/a-parent-does-not-do-everything-for-their-kid-a-parent-that-does/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) > [Don't wait for perfection before you start. Start somewhere so you can have something tangible you can work to perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/don-t-wait-for-perfection-before-you-start-start-somewhere-so-you-can/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) > [Followers want to be taken care of. Leaders want to take care of others. We can all be leaders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/followers-want-to-be-taken-care-of-leaders-want-to-take-care-of/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) > [“Goethe, the great nineteenth-century thinker, reportedly summed up, “You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/goethe-the-great-nineteenth-century-thinker-reportedly-summed-up-you/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) > [Pursue the thing inside us and others will help us. Pursue the things outside us and others will compete with us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/pursue-the-thing-inside-us-and-others-will-help-us-pursue-the-things/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) > [“When a WHY goes fuzzy, it becomes much more difficult to maintain the growth, loyalty and inspiration that helped drive the original success. By…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/when-a-why-goes-fuzzy-it-becomes-much-more-difficult-to-maintain-the/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) > [“Without the protection of our leaders, everyone outside the inner circle is forced to work alone or in small tribes to protect and advance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/without-the-protection-of-our-leaders-everyone-outside-the-inner/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) > [Any great and inspiring leader or organization that ever existed set out to do something completely unrealistic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/any-great-and-inspiring-leader-or-organization-that-ever-existed-set/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) > [I try to find, celebrate and teach leaders how to build platforms that will inspire others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/i-try-to-find-celebrate-and-teach-leaders-how-to-build-platforms-that/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) > [Instead of showing up to let everyone know how great we are, show up to find out how great everyone else is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/instead-of-showing-up-to-let-everyone-know-how-great-we-are-show-up/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) > [Knowledge is understanding based on what has been studied and learned. Wisdom is understanding based on what has been felt and experienced.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/knowledge-is-understanding-based-on-what-has-been-studied-and-learned/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) > [There's only one of me. With you using the why in the center of your work helps me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/there-s-only-one-of-me-with-you-using-the-why-in-the-center-of-your/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) > [“they didn't examine the problem and accumulate data to figure out the best solution - they engineered the outcome they wanted from the beginning.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/they-didn-t-examine-the-problem-and-accumulate-data-to-figure-out-the/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) [Explore all 654 Simon Sinek quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) ## More Bad idea quotes > [“In the parking lot, she drove and parked in a dark area with no other cars around. She reclined her seat, and listened to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/in-the-parking-lot-she-drove-and-parked-in-a-dark-area-with-no-other/) [Tao Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/) > [By the time I was seventeen, I was on my way to Hollywood and didn't look back. My family is supportive now, but like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-heard/by-the-time-i-was-seventeen-i-was-on-my-way-to-hollywood-and-didn-t/) [Amber Heard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-heard/) > [One thing I know is that it is a bad idea to marry someone who had bad parents. If they hated their mother, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-gilchrist/one-thing-i-know-is-that-it-is-a-bad-idea-to-marry-someone-who-had/) [Ellen Gilchrist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-gilchrist/) > [Government likes committees... a lot. Committees kill all the really good ideas and generally all the really bad ideas. They produce middle-ground mush.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-devos/government-likes-committees-a-lot-committees-kill-all-the-really-good/) [Betsy DeVos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-devos/) > [It's not a bad idea to call this Cthulhuism & Yog-Sothothery of mine "The Mythology of Hastur" - although it was really from Machen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-p-lovecraft/it-s-not-a-bad-idea-to-call-this-cthulhuism-yog-sothothery-of-mine/) [H. P. Lovecraft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-p-lovecraft/) > [More than any other personality trait, my mother seemed to be ruled by anger and sadness. She seemed to hate being a mother. Watching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/merrill-markoe/more-than-any-other-personality-trait-my-mother-seemed-to-be-ruled-by/) [Merrill Markoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/merrill-markoe/) > [“Sorry," he apologized. "I didn't mean to inflict my rantings on you, even though we are destined to spend the rest of our lives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/connie-willis/sorry-he-apologized-i-didn-t-mean-to-inflict-my-rantings-on-you-even/) [connie willis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/connie-willis/) > [“Jesus. Chicago, Kansas City, Denver, Phoenix, L.A., and Seattle, plus two small towns she'd never heard of in the Gulf Coast region. The unit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-hooper/jesus-chicago-kansas-city-denver-phoenix-l-a-and-seattle-plus-two/) [Kay Hooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-hooper/) > [“Civilization is an experiment, a very recent way of life in the human career, and it has a habit of walking into what I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-wright/civilization-is-an-experiment-a-very-recent-way-of-life-in-the-human/) [Ronald Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-wright/) > [Idea-Advocacy Matrix highlights a couple of things: that good ideas need to be "sold" if they are ever going to see the light of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-daly/idea-advocacy-matrix-highlights-a-couple-of-things-that-good-ideas/) [John Daly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-daly/) > [“It is not a bad idea to get into the habbit of writing one's thoughts. It saves one having to bother anyone else with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isabel-colegate/it-is-not-a-bad-idea-to-get-into-the-habbit-of-writing-one-s-thoughts/) Isabel Colegate > [“Medical research has revealed that in about one-tenth of the population, the liver processes alcohol differently, releasing a chemical messenger that creates the craving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaylie-jones/medical-research-has-revealed-that-in-about-one-tenth-of-the/) [Kaylie Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaylie-jones/) > [“Sometimes I have good ideas, sometimes I have bad ideas and sometimes I have colossally bad ideas.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-cellier/sometimes-i-have-good-ideas-sometimes-i-have-bad-ideas-and-sometimes/) Melanie Cellier > [I have done conferences explaining that cloud is a bad idea. It's putting all your eggs in one basket.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-demon-calce/i-have-done-conferences-explaining-that-cloud-is-a-bad-idea-it-s/) [Michael Demon Calce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-demon-calce/) > [Minimum sales prices for alcohol are a startlingly bad idea. As with excise duties, the effects are regressive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-farage/minimum-sales-prices-for-alcohol-are-a-startlingly-bad-idea-as-with/) [Nigel Farage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-farage/) [Browse all 550 Bad idea quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-idea/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We should invest in people not ideas. A good idea is often destroyed by bad people and good people can always make a bad idea better.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Simon Sinek" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/we-should-invest-in-people-not-ideas-a-good-idea-is-often-destroyed/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Bad idea" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/we-should-invest-in-people-not-ideas-a-good-idea-is-often-destroyed/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b6c/simon-sinek-349_bad-idea_we-should-invest-in-people-not-ideas-a-g_921777.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b6c/simon-sinek-349_bad-idea_we-should-invest-in-people-not-ideas-a-g_921777.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b6c/simon-sinek-349_bad-idea_we-should-invest-in-people-not-ideas-a-g_921777.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We should invest in people not ideas. A good idea is often destroyed by bad people and good people can…” — Simon Sinek", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Simon Sinek", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We should invest in people not...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/we-should-invest-in-people-not-ideas-a-good-idea-is-often-destroyed/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/we-should-invest-in-people-not-ideas-a-good-idea-is-often-destroyed/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```