Leading Thoughts for August 20, 2026

IDEAS shared have the power to expand perspectives, change thinking, and move lives. Here are two ideas for the curious mind to engage with:

I.

Creator of the iPod, iPhone, Tony Fadell on building a company:

“I needed to learn. And the best way to do that was to surround myself with people who knew exactly how hard it was to make something great—who had the scars to prove it. And if it turned out to be the wrong move, well, making a mistake is the best way to not make that mistake again. Do, fail, learn.

“The critical thing is to have a goal. To strive for something big and hard and important to you. Then every step you take toward that goal, even if it’s a stumble, moves you forward. And you can’t skip a step—you can’t just have the answers handed to you and detour around the hard stuff. Humans learn through productive struggle, by trying it themselves and screwing up and doing it differently next time.”

Source: Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Worth Making

II.

Maynard Webb on finding inspiration:

“Inspiration often starts with frustration. It begins with what seems like intractable problems—and then an unwillingness to accept that there are not any answers. I keep these intractable problems in my head and keep a lookout for answers or insights that can come from anywhere.

“Even if you do not have the answers you need right now, I promise you that your solutions are all out there. You just need to acknowledge that you have a sticky issue, commit to solving it, and go about your journey with an air of wonder and an understanding that magic can and will happen.”

Source: Dear Founder: Letters of Advice for Anyone Who Leads, Manages, or Wants to Start a Business

* * *

Look for these ideas every Thursday on the Leading Blog. Find more ideas on the LeadingThoughts index.

* * *
Follow us on Instagram and X for additional leadership and personal development ideas.

 

Posted by Michael McKinney at 12:37 PM
Permalink | Comments (0) | This post is about Leading Thoughts