Six business lessons from Albert Einstein

Even if he didn’t know it at the time, Albert Einstein’s words of wisdom certainly apply to small business owners. Here are six Albert Einstein quotes to use as the launching pad for new business ideas or changes to your current model.

1. “If A is success in life, then A = x + y + z. Work is x, play is y and z is keeping your mouth shut.”

This simple equation may show exactly what it takes to be successful in life, but the same is true for business. Loads of hard work and determination are necessary to make any given venture a success, particularly in business. But a small business owner facing burnout can’t envision their company’s future as clearly, which is why “play” is necessary. And “keeping your mouth shut” means listening to other people and only airing your most important grievances.

For example, let’s say you’ve been working 60-hour weeks to grow your business. Maybe you feel stretched to your limit, and an employee’s imperfect presentation at your current meeting is pushing your buttons. Reacting angrily won’t get you anywhere. Instead, recognize that maybe the presentation isn’t that bad – you’re just so overworked you’re unusually prone to ire. Take some time off (“play”), come back later with a clearer head and you’ll likely address the issue more productively, such as by coaching the employee to improve their presentation skills.

2. “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.”

Simply put, this is another way to emphasize one of the most important (if overused) buzzwords in business: innovation. Thinking outside the box, no matter how cliché, is a necessary and effective way to fix problems and come up with new ideas.

Great entrepreneurs understand why innovation matters, just as Einstein did. They know the value of improving something that already exists to make it better and more appealing to their target customers. This requires a mix of finding gaps to close, seizing opportunities and taking risks. And no, innovation isn’t the same as creativity – the latter is the type of thinking that results in the former.

3. “Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius – and a lot of courage – to move in the opposite direction.”

More often than not, success in business requires taking a leap of faith or following the path less traveled. That, however, does not make the decision to do so any easier for entrepreneurs and businesses…[MORE]