The Chess Board

[Wildbilly]

Good article MLM, it's easy to see
why Thiel has been the success he is. This guy gets human nature and how to utlize each piece. It seems so simplistic of a concept as to be a given. The corporation, business, government, boss or supervisor that recognizes the best function of the pieces is the most likely to win.

I liked the nerd /athlete juxtaposition as well, as a matter of fact some legendary coaches have understood this function of the pieces
as well as anyone in my opinion. In hockey, the enforcer protecting the 'nerd'(talented but more delicate skater), the pitcher that brushes back the other teams best hitter in retaliation for his hit batsmen, in football the headhunter, usually a linebacker, that retaliates for the cheap hit on his own quarterback (not the headhunting in the news recently), etc. The best coaches, obviously knowing how to put their 'pieces' together to construct the best
offenses, defenses and off the bench guys.

Naturally I'm going to pick up on that because I'm a sports nut. :)

I've certainly worked for my share that don't understand or are afraid to play their pieces to their strengths, often out of fear they'll be creating their replacements, or creating prima donnas that will cause them to actually do more work.

On a more topical note the mention of “People often talk about first mover advantage, but focusing on that may be problematic; you might move first then fade away. The danger there is that you simply aren’t around to succeed, even if you do end up creating value. More important than being the first mover is the last mover. You have to be durable." WOW , you hear this 'first mover' phrase being used when referring to Facebook all the time.

Anyway, good article on a book written by an obviously real smart cookie.