Below are two thought-provoking chapters from a book written by Professor Edgar Swift and published in 1925. The main topic is sales, but it contains two very interesting chapters on how we (all humans) underutilize our intellectual and creative abilities in business. Why is that? There are three reasons:
- Precedents (and preconceptions) slow down or prevent progress
- Minimum effort is usually applied to problem-solving
- Economic hierarchies tend to reduce us to thinking and doing only what is necessary.
Perhaps in reading these 71 pages, you will find it insightful in relation to how you solve problems, how you make decisions, how well you use your abilities, how precedents limit the action you take, etc. Perhaps the greatest utility of these chapters is personal reflection.
WARNING: This, like some other business books from the early 20th century, contain racist references to Black people and immigrants, as well as misogynistic references. I totally reject racism and misogyny.