THINKERS Manifesto

Enjoy every episode of THINKERS Manifesto Season 2 in this one audio file.In Season 2 we attempt to answer the question of what matters more; an idea or its execution through the story of our startup journey that was sparked by the ideas in Season 1. The answer we found along this journey will surprise you.

Over the past six episodes of Season 2, we approached the question of what matters more -- an idea or its execution -- from the story of our journey creating a company based on an idea. We've discussed how we generated our idea, the value of the first follower, and even the experience of our first major failure and how we recovered from it. Most importantly, we've discussed how this idea - and our execution of it - has grown and developed, based on the people and perspectives we've encountered along the way.And through this journey, we found the answer...one that we will reveal in this season finale.

We think a lot about change in our organization -- developing the skills that are required to stay nimble in our efforts and humble in our approach. But there is one thing about change: it’s not easy. It’s a struggle between managing the vision of an idea with the execution of that idea as the market sends you a continuous stream of feedback, both good and bad. And there is another thing about change that most people don’t appreciate. You need the right people for change to work well.In this episode, we talk about the importance of being flexible in our business strategy and how to hire the right people that can embrace change.

Pivot.It's a term that a lot of startup companies know well. A pivot is a shift in business strategy that involves changing a company’s products or business model based on feedback from the market.  A lot of companies have conducted successful pivots. But not all pivots require changing a product. Sometimes it requires you to change your approach to a market.

Failure is a key ingredient of success. But just because you fail, does not mean you will be successful. It is how you deal with failure that matters. In this episode, we examine the key ingredients that can help turn a failure into a success. Learning from failure is important - but what you learn and how and when you apply that learning matter more.  

How we deal with failure says a lot about ourselves. Failure is painful, it leads us to doubt our capabilities, our ideas, our work.Failure can take a huge toll on us financially, emotionally, and psychologically.And while success releases testosterone and dopamine into our system, failure has an entirely different effect – one that is purely psychological.In this episode, we talk about the role of failure through the story of a failure we experienced when we first set out to launch our company. 

The impact of any idea is directly dependent on the number of people that follow the idea. And the person that has the most impact on an idea is the first follower of it. In this episode, we discuss the role of the first follower -- the person who takes a leap of faith to follow an idea when no one else does. The value of the first follower cannot be underestimated. As this episode reveals, it can have a profound impact on the way an idea evolves into something larger.

In Season 2, we explore the concept of ideas versus execution through the story of what we did with just one idea, sparked by that first season of the THINKERS Manifesto.Our story will reveal some important lessons we learned along the way, including how we recovered from a near-fatal decision. And at the end of this season, we will give you our answer to that eternal question of what matters more: an idea or its execution.The answer we found will surprise you. 

Sean puts all the pieces of entire process together into one coherent path for anyone who is serious about becoming a better thinker.The episode begins with a test -- three questions designed to measure your instinctive reactions against your ability to think at a higher level. Listen to the questions and take it seriously. How do you do?Then Sean goes through each step, one through six, to outline the process he has used to become a better thinker. It's all here for you, and you'll be ready to do it on your own after going through this episode.*****To learn more and connect with the show, visit thinkersmanifesto.com.And if you are enjoying the show, please consider providing your ratings and review wherever you happen to be listening so others will know what to expect.*****Produced ByJerod Morris from Showrunner.FMPost Production ByResonate Recordings

Collaboration is a key to unlocking the potential of any idea, but only if you know how to properly assess and filter the feedback you get.This episode begins with a story about one company's radical philosophy for encouraging feedback and idea sharing, as well as its cutthroat method for filtering good ideas from bad. The story is a springboard for discussing how you can be proactive in getting feedback from the right sources and incorporate the right advice.*****To learn more and connect with the show, visit thinkersmanifesto.com.And if you are enjoying the show, please consider providing your ratings and review wherever you happen to be listening so others will know what to expect.*****Produced ByJerod Morris from Showrunner.FMPost Production ByResonate Recordings