Quick Take: Developing a revolutionary mindset

Are you ready, and do you have what it takes to meet the innovation challenges ahead in 2022?

10 Perspectives on the freedom to innovate

I don’t know Amjad Masad, but I love his thread on Twitter. When I talk with leaders and innovators at established B2B companies, I often hear about headwinds—the forces that work against innovation. Masad, an immigrant to America and a tech entreprenuer,  offers “ten things he loves about this country,” meaning the USA. For me, his insights are a very timely checklist for every innovator as we enter the new year. Do you have the right mindset? Are you putting up barriers? Do you need to vest your team with a new optimism? Can you make more progress in 2022, far exceeding what you accomplished in 2021?

Here are Masad’s observations, assembled from his Twitter thread:

I landed in the United States 10 years ago with nothing but credit card debt. After one startup exit, one big tech job, and one unicorn, I genuinely believe that it wouldn't have been possible anywhere else in the world. Here are 10 things I love about this country:

1. Work Ethic

First thing I noticed was that everyone regardless of occupation took pride in doing a bang-up job, even when no one looked.

I asked people: "Why do you pour everything into a job even when it is seemingly thankless?" And it was like asking fish "what is water?"

2. Lack of corruption

In the 10 years in the US, I've never been asked for a bribe, and that's surprising.

When you know that you predictably get to keep a sizable portion of the value you create and that no one will arbitrarily stop you, it makes it easier to be ambitious.

3. Win-win mindset

People don't try to screw you on deals, they play the long game, and align incentives in such a way that everyone wins.

This is especially apparent in Silicon Valley where you can't underestimate anyone because one day you might be working for them.

4. Rewarding talent

From sports to engineering, America is obsessed with properly rewarding talent. If you're good, you'll get recognized.

The market for talent is dynamic—if you don't feel valued today, you can find a better place tomorrow.

5. Open to weirdos

Because you never know where the next tech, sports, or arts innovation will come from, America had to be open to weirdness. Weirdos thrive without being crushed.

We employ people with the most interesting backgrounds—dropouts to artists—they're awesome!

6. Forgiveness

Weird and innovative people have to put themselves out there, and as part of that, they're going to make mistakes in public. The culture here values authenticity, and if you're authentic and open about your failures, you'll get a second and a third chance.

7. Basic infrastructure

Americans take care of their public spaces. Parks are clean, subways and buses run on time, and utilities & services just work.

Because life can be livable for a time without income, it was possible for us to quit our jobs and bootstrap our business.

8. Optimism

When you step foot in the US there is a palpable sense of optimism. People believe that tomorrow will be better than today. They don't know where progress will come from, but that's why they're open to differences.

When we started up even unbelievers encouraged us.

9. Freedom

Clearly a cliche, but it's totally true. None of the above works if you're not free to explore & tinker, to build companies, and to move freely.

I still find it amazing that if I respect the law and others, I can do whatever I want without being compelled/restricted.

10. Access to capital

It's a lot harder to innovate & try to change the world without capital. If you have a good idea & track record, then someone will be willing to bet on you.

The respect for entrepreneurship in this country is inspiring. And it makes the whole thing tick.

Your take?

B2B innovators may not choose to leave their company to start a new one, but can they “refound” the place where they work? By refounding, I mean establishing a revolutionary mindset, one that imagines new possibilities and limitless opportunities? Masad started from scratch to build Replit, which offers coders a different way to code. Can your company offer your customers a different way to do business? What do you think? Please share your comments below or reach me at mark.dancer@n4bi.com.