February 1, 2008 ·
A while back I stumbled across this story:
“Thomas Edison is reported to have tested anyone he was thinking about hiring. He would invite them to have a bowl of soup with them. Anyone adding salt without first tasting the soup failed his test. He didn’t want anyone making decisions based upon unfounded assumptions.”
Would you pass Edison’s salt test?
4 Responses to “Would you pass Edison’s salt test?”
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Maybe with soup I would pass, but unfortunately I’m sure I would fail with a plate of mashed potatoes. I definitely like way too much salt on them than normal people so I always add salt before I eat them. I have yet to be wrong on my choice that they needed them though to fit my taste.
It is relative to me in this case as it is a sign of experience with eating mashed potatoes. I think it would be an error to not hire someone based on their use of their experience in making decisions.
Anthony
Hi there, Anthony, and thanks for coming over for a visit.
From what I know of Edison, I don’t think he was interested in dismissing people’s experience. He was suggesting, at least a la this story, that over-reliance on experience can lead us down a path full of assumptions that aren’t correct, like salting mashed potatoes at the home of someone who’s already salted them within an inch of their life! If you’re interested in more on Edison, his investment in people with experience, and the connection between assumptions and innovation, you might like the book Innovate Like Edison.
Edison was always my most favorite inventor. As I was growing up, I read many books about him, and if a school report was due on anyone, he was my choice.
I believe a healthy balance of someone’s experience and ability to assess his current situation is what makes a good decision maker. I would think that Mr. Edison would think the same way, but he was a bit eccentric as he got older, and the genius mind is usually marching to a bit of a different beat than most. (At least that what I tell my wife when I do something odd.)
Great anecdote, as always Tammy.
Anthony
Anthony, your comment about what you tell your wife when you do something odd made me smile. I’ll have to use that one myself!