You’ve probably heard of the Microsoft interview and the questions they ask prospective employees there (‘How would you move Mount Fuji?’). We all have our own stories to tell about weird questions at job interviews. But have you heard about how Thomas Alva Edison interviewed people who wanted to work with him? That’s an interesting story there!
After the initial round of questions, if Edison came across a bright candidate, he would take him out to dinner before making up his mind on whether to hire him. The interview would continue over dinner, and when the food arrived, Edison would take a bite and remark, ‘I think this needs more salt!’ And then he’d watch the candidate.
If the candidate added salt before tasting the food he would not be hired. However, if the candidate tasted the food first and then decided if salt needed to be added Edison would hire him. Edison knew that people who easily believed what other people had to say, or made assumptions without first-hand knowledge or experience, would not be able to look afresh at problems and find innovative solutions. They would have closed minds, he reckoned. Edison was looking for people with a mind of their own and the conviction to back it.
We all know people whose potential and dreams remained unrealized because they did not have the conviction to back their instincts. They chose a line of study or a career simply because someone else said it was best for them. They did not chase their passion just because someone said it was doomed, it wouldn’t work. In many cases, they gave up even without trying, assuming they couldn’t do it—simply because someone else had said it couldn’t be done. We all have had great ideas but not all of us have gone on to work on them and make them come to life. Only to discover later that someone else did exactly what we’d had in mind and found great success.
Do your own thing. Make mistakes. Live on the edge. Chase your dreams. Don’t just go by what other people tell you. That may be safe but it’s unlikely to get you the success you deserve.
Go for it. And yes, don’t blindly add the salt!
Do your own thing. Chase your dreams. Don’t just go by what other people tell you. That may be safe but it’s unlikely to get you the success you deserve.