I suppose one of the highlights of working for IBM for twenty years + was learning how important it was to THINK. From my first moments, THINKing was an important part of any task or assignment. The word THINK was on notebooks, signs, and painted on walls. Looking back, it seemed that it was a kind of tap-tap-tap indoctrination into the founder's passionate belief in the power of THINKing. Taken to heart, it was far from the misconception that IBM was a place for conformity. It inspired something bold and independent to come to life inside. Admittedly, I have been forever grateful for the many opportunities I was given to develop this powerful skill in a vast array of wonderful jobs, working with the best in people, and leaders that believed in me.
Over the years, I've collected wisdom here and there from IBM's founder, Thomas J. Watson, Sr. I have always admired his candid way of speaking, giving us a personal moment of truth with each bit of wisdom. Here are a few timeless favorites...
“Follow the path of the unsafe independent thinker. Expose your ideas to the danger of controversy. Speak your mind and fear less the label of 'crackpot'' than the stigma of conformity.”
"All the problems of the world could be settled easily if [we] were only willing to THINK. The trouble is that [we] very often resort to all sorts of devices in order not to think."
“If you want to achieve excellence, you can get there today. As of this second, quit doing less-than-excellent work.”
“Really big people are, above everything else, courteous, considerate and generous - not just to some people in some circumstances - but to everyone all the time.”
On my very first day working for IBM in my first career, there was a nameplate on my desk when I arrived. My name had been engraved on the front on a brass plaque. On the back there was quote. It has stayed with me and kept me striving to follow the unsafe path of the independent thinker.
"If all objections were considered, nothing would ever be tried." -- Unknown
How about you?
Do you have a favorite inspiration from IBM?
Best...
DebbeDebbe Kennedy
Contributing author
Greater IBM Connection Blog
Co-Founder, GIBM Women's
International Network for
Leadership (GIBM WIN-L)
Founder, President & CEO
Global Dialogue Center and
Leadership Solutions Companies
author, Putting Our Differences to Work
The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership, and High Performance
IBMer 1970 - 1991 L.A.; Anchorage; Seattle; San Francisco
Twitter: @debbekennedy @onlinedialogues
This is a little random, but when I first started at IBM my manager always kept asking me "were things moving forward?" So I taped a little yellow sticky on the top of my computer monitor that said, "Move forward!" To me it meant more than just an update on the projects I was working on -- but a deeper meaning...an inherent belief in the concept of progress.
Posted by: ethnmcrt | October 14, 2009 at 02:31 PM
I loved this idea, Ethan!
Actually, I remember a similar kind of reminder. When I was promoted to my first staff job after being a first line manager. I found myself traveling all the time and speaking far more than I ever dreamed. My audiences were predominently MEN and it was at times terrifying and intimidating for a young woman. I kept a yellow sticky on my computer with the names of those who believed in me and had entrusted me to do this assignment. It gave me a compelling reason to reach beyond my fear to deliver the level of excellence I knew they believed I could do.
YEAH! for yellow stickies!
Debbe
Posted by: Debbe Kennedy | October 19, 2009 at 06:07 PM