Why?

Invest

Published: 5/27/2023
By: Andrew Neyer

Telling the creation story of a work of Art is extremely valuable. By revealing the genesis, we can set up the context and conditions for where a solution or concept might succeed best.

When we can identify Why we made something, it unlocks an opportunity for others to connect to the work. The goal is to leverage human connection. For example, making a meal for friends is a great way to feed and nourish our bodies, but the bigger Why for eating a meal together is to experience the same flavors in each other's company. "You gotta try this!" "Here, dip summa them fries in this sauce."

By expressing our motives, we attach ourselves to our work. The narrative becomes engrafted into the creation. Sharing your intent can be polarizing, but losing spectators to enrich patrons is better. Telling people what you love is a great way to find other fans. Be unapologetic with your love and generous with your solutions.

Context

After my company started scaling beyond my personal goals, I got cold feet and sensed a different definition of success. I do not believe in scaling (scaling = trying to gain as much market share in as little time as possible, according to Les McKeown). Instead, I prefer slow, organic growth and planning one's death. So rather than scaling, selling, and SaaSing up that hockey-stick-growth, I've become smitten with the soft, beautiful bell curve.

What if you picked a future end date for your business or job now? I think you'd make better choices, innovate, standardize, improve, and create more Art. We wear a silly costume of "invincibility" when we only focus on scaling and only consider ourselves. Instead, plan for entropy and empathy. Lean into the inevitable and tend to the deficits of your community. I'm nearing the top of my company's bell curve, so I'm shifting focus to how I want to sled down the back half of my curve.

Because I am conscious of my company's end, I now feel a vocational calling to Open Source everything. This mission is very similar to the attitude of older people, AKA "geezers." Their awareness of death changes their priorities and promotes a desire to share their stories and experiences.

I believe in the model of a single Master & ApprenticeⓈ, which predates any factory or boardroom (how 'bout dem apples, Wall Street). The goal of the apprentice isn't to take over for the master but, instead, to overtake the master. As a result, the master's role ends when she has given all her knowledge, wisdom, and tailored solutions away. But the master's retirement births something more significant, a superior Artisan.

The concepts we share can outlive every artifact we produce. Materials weather and degrade, but good concepts are eternal.