Today, we discuss the tension that exists between the past and the future. The Tradition and Creativity dimension explores how we retain the lessons of history and precedent while still striking out new ground by embracing innovation and change.
The Stone Cutter
The Stone Cutter is the builder that has based his craft on his experience. More so than its nemesis, the Stone Cutter has a context centered in the past. The size of the brick, the shape of walls, and the consistency of the mortar are all based on the familiar–the tried and true. For this reason, the stone cutter is primarily concerned with Tradition.
Admiral William Adama from Battlestar Galactica and Tevye from Fiddler on the Roof are examples of characters who have adopted a Stone Cutter persona.
A Student’s Lesson
I had to opportunity to counsel a student in one of my management classes. This student embodied the Innovator mentality. He wanted to shake things up in his workplace. He had great ideas and wanted to introduce a wealth of new programs designed to boost collaboration, engagement, and interaction. He wanted to break down silos and move to a more egalitarian workplace with greater emphasis on team based projects.
He confided to me about his difficulties. He became a little despondent at how many people in the company were so reluctant to embrace change. I told him that his perspective is understandable and common among those who want to see change. Innovation is important. It helps the organization to adapt and survive. I further explained that he should take the time to put himself in another person’s place. I continued:
“Change is difficult to manage, often upsets workers, and could be disruptive to business operations. Additionally, new initiatives cost money. As excited as you are about trying to bring the company forward, others are just as concerned about keeping the firm operating profitably. They are folks who care about the firm just as much as you do; but they are adopting a role of a steward. They are concerned that change is adopted at a reasonable rate, because if change is adopted too quickly, the organization could shake itself apart.”
After that discussion, he realized that both he and his colleagues had the same goal in terms of providing for the long-term welfare of the organization. They just had different concerns about how to safely deliver on that goal. He had a new appreciation for the perspectives of others and he was able to shake off his despondency and reengage with people who he had previously seen as his adversaries. He now considered them his partners in building a better company.
Influence Lesson #15: The Stone Cutter applies the brakes to change so society doesn’t spin out of control.
The Stone Cutter’s nemesis is the Inventor because innovation fundamentally undermines tradition’s stability and consistency.
The Inventor
The Inventor is the creative genius that is constantly examining the possibilities concerning the future. Consistently “tinkering,” the Inventor is on a mission to change what might be into what is. Inventors are the innovators and the entrepreneurs that wish to make something new and share it with the world. The Archetype for the Inventor is homage to one of the greatest inventors in American history, Ben Franklin. The Inventor is primarily concerned with creativity.
Iron Man’s Tony Stark and Preston Tucker of Tucker: The Man and his Dream are good examples of Inventors.
The Inventor’s nemesis is the Stone Cutter who constantly foster’s consistency, stability and tradition.
In general, Inventors are always on the cutting edge of technology. The Inventor is sharp, clever, anti-establishment and is possessed of a certain amount of brazen self-confidence that can cross over to self-destructive narcissism if not checked.
Profile of a Creator
Preston Tucker was an entrepreneur who wielded enormous influence over the auto industry in the 1930s to 1950s. Tucker always had the entrepreneurial streak. From an early age, he became fascinated with the automobile. He was drawn to the auto industry and quit high school to join the Cadillac Motor Company as an office boy. He always sought ways to be more productive. As an office boy, he used to wear roller skates to make his rounds more quickly. Once married, he and his wife bought a gas station and while Preston worked on the Ford assembly line, his wife ran the station and he ran it during the late shift. He always was driven for success.
In 1939, with war brewing in Europe, Tucker decided to start manufacturing a speedy armored car and gun turrets for US war effort. The car was able to reach speeds of up to 115 mph—an amazing innovation for a machine of war. He then moved into manufacturing aircraft for the duration of the war.
Following the war, Tucker returned to his love of automobiles. His Tucker cars included revolutionary design and safety innovations, including disc brakes, break away windshields, independent suspension, and a chassis designed for side impact safety. Many of the innovations were subsequently adopted by the automobile industry.
Preston Tucker loved innovation and worked tirelessly throughout his life to bring his ideas to fruition. His energy was inspirational and catalyzing. His ideas and drive went on to revolutionize an industry. He is a textbook example of an Inventor.
Influence Lesson #14: The Inventor creates the innovation that propels our world forward.
How They Are Different and Why The Need to Be
The inventors are responsible for innovation and change in our society. Without them, we would still be a bunch of agrarian farmers or worse still resorting to hunting and gathering for our sustenance. They are responsible for the advance of technology and for a rising standard of living. They are daring so they take risks. We owe them a debt of gratitude.
The Stone Cutters also are very important. Whereas the inventors want to step on the gas of innovation, it is the Stone Cutters who are prudently tapping the brakes. Any time change is introduced, there is uncertainty and instability. The Stone Cutters serve a vital role as a counterbalance to the instability of a rapidly changing system. Not all change is good. The Stone Cutters provide society an opportunity to consider whether or not the change is warranted, wanted, or foolhardy. By looking to the wisdom of our forefathers, we are spared from repeating many of their mistakes.
