The Creative Contrarian

Wise Fool Strategy # 19Develop a Thick Skin

“A thick skin is a gift from God.”

— Konrad Adenauer, German Statesman

The Wise Fool knows that new ideas can be threatening, and they often provoke a negative reaction. For example, when Johannes Kepler correctly solved the orbital problem of the planets by using ellipses rather than circles, he was initially denounced by astronomers (and ignored by Galileo). When Ignaz Semmelweis proposed that doctors could reduce patient infections by frequently washing themselves with chlorinated lime water, he was reviled by his colleagues, who resented his implication that they were walking around with “death on their hands.” When Igor Stravinsky first presented his Rite of Spring ballet with its unusual harmonies and primitive rhythms, he was met with a rioting audience.

Similarly, Wise Fools understand that their offbeat ideas can be viewed unfavorably and occasionally seen as menacing. Indeed, they realize that some people will respond to their insights with comments like “too strange,” “contrary to policy,” “impractical,” or “makes no sense.” Maybe the naysayers are right — sometimes the Wise Fool's ideas are half-baked. Remember, though, that people will often shoot these ideas down because either they feel threatened or they're too lazy to look for merit in them.

Wise Fools know that having a “thick skin” is essential for them to do ...