"Only the Paranoid Survive"
Andy Grove is of course known for the book he wrote called, "Only the Paranoid Survive," which when it comes down to it is an anti-complacency book.
Two of Grove's major qualities known by most that know of him are his self-defined paranoia and a healthy skepticism so strong that it can cut those that that aren't prepared for it, or who like to throw around a lot of hype.
He had disdain for the so-called Internet boom before it busted. To him the idea that there were no longer such things as business cycles, you could postpone generating profits indefinitely, or that the Nasdaq would climb forever were ridiculous to him, as it didn't take long to prove.
What Grove was great at was identifying the difference between hype and real potential competitors to Intel (INTC). That's how he could be paranoid and skeptical at the same time.
His paranoia made him aware that there is always someone you have to be looking over your shoulder at, while his skepticism kept him from seeing boogeymen all over the place. He knew that everything wasn't really changing, although there was a lot of change. It was understanding what was really changing and what would stay consistent that made him a great business leader.
We need that type of insight even more today as endless writers and prognosticators try to make it look like nothing will stay the same; which isn't true. At the same time, there are real changes going on all around us. Those that know how to sift through the hype will be the big winners in business during the years ahead. We'll look at a number of things about Andy Grove that can help us along the way.
Other Andy Grove Resources:
Andy Grove's Rational Exuberance
The Digital Age . . . driven by the passion of Intel's Andrew Grove
The History and Influence of Andy Grove
Andy Grove enters new post-Intel role as activist capitalist
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