If great artists steal, are great founders thieves too?

I still remember when I first read „Zero To One" by Peter Thiel. I’ve highlighted dozens of quotes about innovation, being the “zero-to-one” guy, and ultimately, being a successful startup founder.

The book is a must-read, but frankly, some of its advice (combined with the omnipresent rainbow of successes, innovations and disruptors in the media) pushed me into feeling like a “fraud”.

I kept feeling like I wasn’t innovative enough. I was annoyed that my products weren’t “out of this world”. I even started doubting if the real estate tech idustry (where I work) had the potential to consume the level of innovation I wanted.

But you know what? It’s all bullsh*t.

In technology, it’s not about inventing the new, but reinventing the old. Great founders are those who see two or more dots to connect, and are excellent in the “linking” execution.

Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, Larry Page, Jeff Bezos, Brian Chesky - they all have two things in common. They’ve impacted the world with their outstanding products and have openly admitted to being strongly influenced by work of others.

From Steve Jobs:

Picasso had a saying. He said, ‘Good artists copy, great artists steal.’ And we have always been shameless about stealing great ideas.

From Salvador Dali:

Those who do not want to imitate anything, produce nothing.

What I think

Emulate.

• Copying is a flawed strategy for aspiring entrepreneurs. It’s a static approach that hampers your chances of achieving excellence.

• Emulating is a more dynamic process. It involves stealing the experiences of others, absorbing the wisdom, and then adding your own unique touch. It’s not about replication, it’s about refining and advancing an existing concept.

Emulating, not copying, is what cultivates the best founders and companies.