"I tend to concentrate on things where I have something to say, and I do a lot of homework. So I ration the use of that role, which is probably one reason I have it."
Grove was responding to the observation that people tend to still listen to the things he has to say; somewhat of a senior stateman for the tech industry at the time.
The thing I want to zero in on is his comment on rationing the use of the role he had. Think in terms of what we would call "common," versus something we would consider "scarcity."
What Grove was saying is he would do a lot of preparation in the areas where he had something to say, and would only say it at key and important times.
This is important because if someone is always spouting off about their thoughts and ideas about something, it starts to be considered common, unimportant, or something everyone already knows. It other words, people stop listening.
On the other hand, when you have someone with a lot to say about something, but they only bring it out at the most important and opportune times, it's considered a scarcity, something that needs to be heard and listened to.
We will gain the ears of those we want to say something to by properly rationing the things we have to say, and waiting for the key moments when they will have the most impact. Grove was able to walk this fine line and it has worked great for him when what he has had to say needed to be heard.
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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