38 Quotes by David Sturt

Difference makers know how to work loose, to model, fine-tune, and play with ideas before they execute them to find changes that are likely to succeed.

There are times when those around us just won’t get what we’re trying to accomplish… at those times, it’s our own passion, commitment, and sense of doability that tell us that we’ve landed on a difference worth making.

People who do great work have a different set of criteria for declaring a job complete: whereas the typical definition of complete is “the work is done,” the great work definition of complete is “a difference is made”.

Difference makers not only stay engaged until a difference is made, but follow the results of their work…. They insist on knowing what worked and why, ….[they] follow up, gather insights, gain sensitivity and understanding, and make connections between changes in the mix and differences that were loved.

A fixed mindset causes people to fear failure; they don’t want to try anything that might damage their current sense of ability and intelligence. Their self-worth and identity are wrapped up in not making a mistake, so they gravitate to fail-safe activities. People with growth mindsets, on the other hand, seek out challenges and activities that expand their abilities. The fixed mindset seeks sameness and validation; the growth mindset seeks learning and adaptation.

Call it what you will, it’s about getting up off your chair, going where the action is, and seeing things firsthand. Because when we see things for ourselves, with our own two eyes, it changes us.

I think it’s the difference between working with your head down and with your head up. You need to look at everything going on around your job so that your eyes are open to possibilities. If you look at how your work affects others, at how relationships work, at what others want and need, you will see things you don’t see when you are just going through the motions.

You know things; you understand things. You have a history and a work life unlike anyone else’s. Respect it. Pay attention to it. Let it inspire curious ponderings and original thinking.

The door to your own great work quest is about to swing wide open.